SMF

It's not that simple. A dehydrated cream tends to lather poorly and frequently produces shards of soap that won't dissolve. Better to get soap in the first place or try to rehydrate the cream. Actually it is that simple. I've been using dehydrated Coates just like a semi-soft soap for a while now a...

Brad, Keep in mind that all of the razors you mentioned are perfectly fine for beginners. The opinions you are going to get on them will try and sway you to one side or the other of a pretty fine line. That said, I will champion the Krona. The Tech is a good little razor but may actually be a little...

SOLD

Saftey razors were made by the millions over the course of several decades by dozens of manufacturers. Exact ID is unlikely if not impossible. Are there any markings on the undersides of the heads? The first razor appears to be an open comb, three-piece Gillette Tech knock-off. The second razor is a...

Shaved with the two Kronas on subsequent days and am quite surprised at how different they actually are. Both shaves were with Trumper Limes soap, Kent BK4, and a Swedish Gillette on its second and third shaves. I couldn't confirm this visually but it feels like the Metal Tip has slightly more blade...

I apply scent based largely on mood and if I'm not in the mood then I don't use any. That usually happens for a three or four day stretch every month or so. I can understand you wanting to get rid of colognes that you never wear but even if something is worn occasionally, as long as it is enjoyed, t...

Can't believe this hasn't been snapped up. Great way for a newbie to get his hands on four excellent creams for roughly two-thirds retail.

Soap lathering is one area where I differ from most of the other experienced gents on the board. The party line is to load up a fairly dry brush and then lather on a wet face, adding water as needed. I prefer to load a sopping wet brush. IMO opinion the beauty of shaving soap (as opposed to cream) i...

For the first couple years of my wetshaving experience I tossed a blade after three shaves whether I needed to or not. As my technique improved, and I realized that some products perform better in certain parts of a blade's life cycle, I began to push deeper. I can get 5-7 shaves out of most blades....

Eljay, The first (and easiest) thing you should do is put up a WTB (want to buy) thread in our Buy/Sell Forum. Buying a razor from the fine gents on this board is probably the best way to get what you are looking for. As for the razor itself, without getting too specific, Gillette made their best ad...

Tom, I have several of the all plastic Kronas and one of the metal tipped. Both of the razors that I use as daily shavers are of the plastic variety. I haven't used the metal one in a long while so I don't specifically remember if it shaves any different although you've certainly piqued my curiosity...

I'm always trying to be a better person. Not always successful but still trying. For 2008: - Find a new career (unfortunately this has been on the list for several years) - Become a father (this one has been frustratingly difficult so far) - Be a better husband/friend/son/uncle/brother/nephew/etc. (...

This was the first year in quite a few that I did not get anything shaving/grooming related for Christmas. The only thing I asked for this year, and got, was a 2008 Philadelphia Phillies World Series DVD. That said, I do want a bottle of Santa Maria Novella cologne. Does anyone know if Santa is taki...

If I was going the drug store route it would be Stetson, Old Spice, and Jovan Musk. I have a soft spot for Stetson as I think that was the first cologne I ever had back in fifth or sixth grade.

If US Personnas were all that was available I'd probably just use a Sensor or take the time to develop my straight razor skills.

This brush doesn't get much pub around here, possibily because it is a B&B brush and this is SMF. At any rate, I've had one for a couple of years and it is one of my every day favorites.

Fortunately I don't make too many ill advised purchases at this point. Earlier this year I bought some Swedish Gillette blades from Auravita. On a whim I decided to throw in a bowl of Wilkinson Sword shaving soap. As soon as I saw and smelled it I knew it wasn't for me. Traded it away unused.

That has happened to me twice. Fortunately neither of the fragrances was rare or expensive. Got a bottle of Tabac for Xmas a couple of years ago. Wore it a couple of times and loved it. Thought it would be an everyday favorite. A week later I was completely turned off. The same thing happened with R...

You can rehydrate the cream. There are a couple of techniques for doing so and guys generally report that the cream is as good as new. I have a pot of severly dehydrated Coates that I've never bother to revive and just use as is. I treat it like a hard soap but with one small exception. When I swirl...

Lynn already mentioned Clinique Post Shave Healer. Excellent if you want a light weight balm/milk product. Bonus points for being locally available and relatively cheap. It also comes in a bottle that travels well. Along with DR Harris Pink (very expensive but nothing else is quite like it), Cliniqu...