SMF

No, No, NO. Don't introduce this idea to the forum, we'd be arguing about the best food to produce the most effective shaving coat. Next someone would know a great badger breeder who could breed us the best shaped badger, you know the one, with extra long jaw line just so you could get the foam in t...

You'll have no problem, just fold them on half (lengthways) with the wrapping paper left on, then you won't get cut.

Alasdair

You learn great stuff here . I have picked up some great tips.
The members are polite to each other, exactly as it should be in a gentlemen's barbershop!

Alasdair

That must be two pissed off mullets, hooked and eaten, Bummer

Nice fish

Alasdair

Well said Dr Moss, ever the voice of reason.

Alasdair

On Simpson's web site it says that they make brushes for other companies. Does anyone know who sells re-labelled Simpson's. I have often seen it mentioned on this forum that , for example Vulfix make brushes for whoever, and Kent for so-and-so, but never a mention of Simpson's on this subject. Surel...

Mindflux I reckon the best place to start is the disposable. Just to get your confidence up with handling a straight. You can drop it and not see $100.00 go up in smoke. If you accidently knock the blade on the tap (spigot), you just change it. The razor and blades are dirt cheap. I have one that co...

Yes,

I 've tried both the balm and the lotion. I found both to be pretty good and not to strong. If you like the sort of fragrance that lasts all day you will be dissapointed, however if you like your fragrances understated then this could be for you. Very good quality ingredients too.
Alasdair

Given that Badger hair aborbs so much water, I guess not to many of them go swimming. They would sink. No wonder the character in "The Wind in the Willows" was not so keen on Ratty's habit of "messing around in boats" I suppose they stay in on rainy nights as well. It's a wonder ...

Hi Robbie, Even though you have made the decision, I thought I would give some positive confirmation of your choice. I have had a Major in Best for over 10 years, it is a great little brush. I recently purchaced a Shavemac in Silvertip and would agree that it does produce more lather (it is quite a ...

Very optimistic pricing, I think if you were to pay that sort of price you would want providence for each razor, which I imagine is impossible. Beautiful but $4-5000 tops even that is pushing it. Methinks the seller is trying it on. Razors are a bit like pianos I reckon, the old ones may look nice, ...

I would like to concur with the guys that use the Israeli blades from ebay. Good smooth shave but don't hold as long as Feather or Merkur. I use them in a disposable straight razor for travel and find them very good for the price.

Alasdair

Hi Spent some time in china my self. Try to check out Hangzhou and Suzhou in Zhejiang province, said (by the Chinese) to be two of the most beautiful cities in China. Check out the famous Long Jing (Dragon Well ) tea in Hangzhou. Suzhou is famous for it's gardens and canals and Hangzhou is famous fo...

Love Valobra Almond shave soap, almond scent is not that strong, however the soap is just fantastic.

Alasdair

Thanks Dave,

Tried it, worked like a dream.

Alasdair

We like this site the way it is - and that was the root cause of the split; we didn't want it to become a commercial enterprise. I think we will all be the better off if we can trust any review of a product here to be neither suspect because the author is beholden to the vendor, nor because there a...

Take some wet or dry sandpaper -- something like an 800 or 1000 grit -- and carefully wet sand the handle to remove blemishes and smooth the surface. Use masking tape or an empty toilet paper roll to protect the bristles and spray a few light coats of clear polyurethane on it. If the original finis...

Ah! Gloucester, not Somerset, two different counties.Thanks Gordon. Tried the web address but it did not seem to work, any suggestions, using search engines draws a blank too.

Alasdair

I remember reading an article about 20 years ago about Victorian (as in the time period) speed shaving competitions. Barbers used to compete to shave halls full of men as fast as they could with a straight razor. the rules were that each man had to be given a shave "good enough to pass muster&q...

A very clear description, thanks Gordon, I have often read about "hand knotted" brushes on the SMF forum and never been exactly sure what was meant and how to tell the difference. I imagine that may be why Shavemac brushes are cheaper than Simpson's in general . I must admit I am very happ...