SMF

As I continue to read and figure out what has changed in my absence, I feel saddened by the loss of so many... people, companies, products and more that I just assumed would not change, especially to the extent it has happened.

First, I don't know where all of the members that frequented here have gone and why so few remain active. I am thankful to the ones still here and that this forum is not gone entirely. It is and was a great resource of a wealth of information for myself and countless others. It is also a gathering place for people to come and share experiences and thoughts on a wide range of topics, though mostly, but not exclusively, shaving related topics. I don't know what if anything can be done to draw them back. Only time will tell.

Second, so many companies have closed their doors and a few really surprised me. Mitchell's is a good example of one such company. They had a long history and an array of products, shaving soap, bath soaps etc. Trumpers Violet shaving cream is an example of a product. What happened to Rooney? I wanted to get more brushes and try a 'Finest' and get some more brushes like a 'Super' for my son to match mine or something similar. Badger knots as an industry is disappearing. Kent is only synthetic now. I can't get another BK4 unless I try a BK4S (silverTEX) and I see mixed reviews on them. Various blades dissappear from the market, on going cream/soap/cologne reformulations abound. I had a 'shopping list' of products to replenish or try for the first time. But those opportunities are gone.

Some of this has always been the case, but some are surprising to me. It does cause FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and acquisition disorders. Get it now while you can and stock up!! Because there is a good chance it will not be here tomorrow, even if the company has been around for a 150+ years and has a GREAT reputation.

There was so much I was looking forward to trying or acquiring, but I have to come to terms with the changes of the times. I have to adjust my expectations to this new reality. I am saddened by the loss of things that I will not be able to experience. But even more so by the things my son will never be able to experience, even if he chooses to continue with his journey with wet shaving.

Dr Chris Moss said it well in his thread A Hairy Situation!
in this post HERE.

drmoss_ca wrote: Sun Jun 14, 2020 11:09 am...I can see why shavers would mourn the passing of an era when a 'super' or 'silvertip' brush would mean exactly that experience. It is not one to be bought new at any price these days. You'd have to find an old brush and someone daft enough to sell it.

So, I suppose we are experiencing the passing of an era. May we try to make the most of the time and enjoy our shaves as we are able. I, for one, am enjoying my shaves lately like never before. The options may be fewer, but I am trying to make the most out of the options I still have available.

Tim, it has been hard enough to watch the decline here in real time, but I imagine it comes as quite a shock to you after a leap in time!

Forums seem to be losing ground to social media. There are some forums still going strong, but many have folded. I have watched shaving forums from the US, Spain, and Brazil all shut down, while one in Portugal still limps along. I have been really discouraged to see so much loss here on SMF.

There are new razors constantly being introduced - many of them truly excellent, and new soaps and creams, largely from artisans and new companies. My favorite razors are a Rockwell adjustable (via different razor beds/bottom plates) and a "Mergress" (Merkur Progress with a custom machined adjusting knob). Supply has introduced new injector razors. And there are many others. These new razors are often better engineered, better built, and they outperform vintage razors from Gillette and Schick (IMHO).

There has been considerable controversy of late about the inhumane treatment of badgers in China, where most badger hair is now sourced. And as you cited from Chris, the badger hair is no longer of the quality it once was. Boar brushes are still a good option, and I especially like a couple of them from Semogue. Otherwise, synthetic fiber for shaving brushes is becoming more and more common, and it is improving all the time.

I lather on top of the cake of soap, for which boar serves me best, or I lather in a bowl, for which a less dense, even "floppy," badger brush works most efficiently. Face-latherers demand much more from a badger brush, and for them "two-banded" badger, such as Rooney Finest was a boon. I have a lot of brushes that I bought in my early years here, and they more than cover my needs now.

For awhile, we had an incredible variety of DE blades available. That variety has thinned out considerably. I think the biggest hit came to perhaps the finest blades currently in production, from the Procter & Gamble/Gillette factory in St Petersburg, Russia. With the war in Ukraine, such products from Russia have become banned in this country. I have a huge hoard of favorite, top-quality blades, so I haven't kept up with current offerings.

For what it's worth, this is my take on the current state of traditional wetshaving. I think you can still get what you need, if not exactly what you want. You may need to look around, buy, and try new products, as we did in the past, to find what serves you best today.

- Murray

It never occurred to me that this might happen, and I had not known -- Russian blades banned. Makes sense, though. Fortunately I (like others, I am sure) have sufficient stock of DE blades to go for quite some time. I guess I am also fortunate that I recently discovered that my Schick Type I (beige handle/gold head) is a far better tool for me than pretty much all my DE razors ... and I can source blades for it easily. I tried it one day with a new Pella/Persona blade it was was WAY better than I remembered. Go figure.

But to your specific topic - Yes, we have lost quite a few folks, and more than a bunch of product. Again, for me, the products I like best is still available (Proraso, Cella, Tabac and La Toja sticks). But I also remember fondly that there seemed to be no topic, no matter the subject, that you couldn't count on sage wisdom or a sharp witticism from Gordon, Squire or The Scrapyard Ape (But I think maybe the Ape trolls here late at night).

As to Forum life in general - some seem to be hanging on. B&B (at such times as I look there) seems to be busy, but I don't always see a ton of new threads there, just continuations of the existing ones.

Looking back I recall about 15 years ago or more that the vendors and the old well-established products began to disappear, just a few but gradually more often. And of course those facts resulted in loss of membership and the inevitable activity. And here we are.

Also, I recall something happened that has made me feel sad ever since. There was an obvious incident that involved one quite active and interesting member. He was openly scolded for an opinion he had posted. It was made clear that his opinions were not welcome. He quit and was missed.

Dangerous territory when large numbers of variously interested spectators are apt to take offense and/or just lose respect and move on.

brothers wrote: Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:17 pm Also, I recall something happened that has made me feel sad ever since. There was an obvious incident that involved one quite active and interesting member. He was openly scolded for an opinion he had posted. It was made clear that his opinions were not welcome. He quit and was missed.

I remember this quite well. Someone had a serious (for him) AHA moment and in his excitement went too far in his postings. Tempers flared on both sides of the subject. Not our proudest moment.

Great topic. Yes somethings seem to have a life cycle and some get improvements like razors, but a great badger brush still beats a synthetic for me - yet funny I have only two synthetic brushes now

Seems to me that older brushes, blades and soaps were better and modern razors are better. I’ve tried many of the unicorn brushes and found the knots to be lacking - far too dense and/or slimy gel tip. On the other hand, older DE razors often disappoint compared to a Wolfman or Timeless. After decades of churning, my set up is dialed in.

blantyre wrote: Sat Jan 24, 2026 2:16 pm Seems to me that older brushes, blades and soaps were better and modern razors are better. I’ve tried many of the unicorn brushes and found the knots to be lacking - far too dense and/or slimy gel tip. On the other hand, older DE razors often disappoint compared to a Wolfman or Timeless. After decades of churning, my set up is dialed in.

These are my observations, as well, Rick.

- Murray

Yes. I prefer the older brushes and newer razors. Generally, the older soaps were better but every now and then I find a puck that interests me.

It seems that the traditional soaps have disappeared to diminished in quality. New soaps have hit the market, however, that are very good.

Because of these changes in the marketplace, I have a considerable hoard of Valobra and Valobra-made soaps, along with a wealth of desirable razor blades.

- Murray

A lot of the great software of old was decimated by re-formulation. Some of this seemed to be the result of EU legislation banning things. Part was economic - the price of EOs and manufacturing/packaging rose dramatically. Then consolidation. Does anyone have any idea who owns Penhaligons these days? It wouldn’t surprise me at all if it were owned by General Motors or Google through some sort of proxy ownership. Maybe even private equity. In any case many of the old line companies are trading on their names and the margin and market share is all that counts. It was at one time more like enthusiasts making products for fellow enthusiasts -like some of the niche brand razors and brushes. Simpson is a notable exception and still does a good job IMO.

I re-read the thread that is referenced above, and the correspondence I had with the site owner, Vince, about it. The thread was locked at Vince's request, and the poster's account is untouched. He can post if he wants. I would do nothing differently if it happened again.
Further information about the substance concerned is here. If someone takes that stuff and suffers harm after reading uncontested advice here, SMF gets sued. Sorry, but I have to try to prevent that.

C.

Morning all ... The thread DR Moss linked to is not the thread I was thinking of. My apologies - I have no wish to foment ill will over my error.

I still check in now and then, often dreading that the forum has been deactivated. I agree that social media and Reddit have diverted a lot of attention (though I have never gone to either for shaving advice). Also, this forum is a bit more genteel, and maintaining that quiet comes at a cost during a turbulent era like this one. But yesterday I bought a bottle of Acqua di Parma, and this morning I shaved with my $10 Body Shoppe synthetic brush, Klar Kabinet, and Merkur Slant with a Persona Med Prep blade . . . so the ShaveMyFace habits live on even in erstwhile members.

Klar Kabinett? Now there's a sign of a very knowledgeable shaver!

I had a small of Klar - it was reblockally nice. Wish I had more (like so many other lost items in this world).

drmoss_ca wrote: Wed Feb 11, 2026 5:54 am Klar Kabinett? Now there's a sign of a very knowledgeable shaver!

Only because of SMF!