Grooming and Hygiene
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A few pictures of the current set up.
Feather Artist SS straight razor, love this razor, all the advantages of a traditional straight but without the hassle of having to hone and strop the blade. I have tried using a regular straight razor but while the shave itself is relatively easy the blade maintenance for me was a bit too much hassle.
The DE razor is a Feather AS-D1. Very mild and easy to use, you would struggle to cut yourself with this even if you tried. It takes a very different head angle to get it cutting, much steeper and more perpendicular to your face.
I normally use the Straight for first pass to remove a couple days worth of growth and then use the DE for a quick second pass.
Simpsons Chubby 2 brush. The really keen among you will notice that this brush is a rare "two band" brush and was custom made. Great brush for face lathering, soft tips = smooth on the face but with plenty of backbone for building lather.
The other brush is a Morris Forndran, blonde badger brush, quite a rare beast. This brand of brushes was resurrected by a british brush maker Lee Sabini ( Lee makes the better Rooney series of brushes also )
Acqua Di Parma shave cream is a bit of a luxury treat, despite it's hefty price tag it is very good cream and lathers up a treat.
The scuttle is from the German ceramic artist Ansgar Tolksdorf who runs his own small company making some nice shaving bowls and scuttles.
The scuttle is very well made and has a nice large easy to use handle. A really nice feature is the size of the spout, it is big enough to dip your brush into to load it up with hot water.http://www.schwarzweisskeramik.de/
The Italian Proraso range of creams and balms can not be faulted, excellent value. The pre shave cream and post shave balm are fixed into my routine.
Fragrances are obviously very personal, currently I am favouring Terre D'Hermes, Acqua di Parma Colonia and quite an unusual smelling Commes des Garcon offering, Red Harrissa. I generally go with the one Mrs Trash prefers which is currently Terre D'Hermes.The eagle eyed New Yorkers among you may have spotted the shaving mug from Paul Mole barbershop on Lexington Ave. Definitely worth a stop if you have not been before. A decent haircut and straight razor shave old school style.
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Dd trash great setup will post mine later tonight
"Obstacles are stepping-stones That guide us to our goals"
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The bottle in the picture is the EDP, for me it lasts around 6 hours which is decent result. I like the EDT also but for longevity the Parfum can not be beaten.
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Terre d'Hermes is the only cologne I ever wear. Love it.
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Cedar, sandalwood, leather, tabac… Terre d'Hermes. If you want wood that's where it's at IMO.
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for bottles
FragranceX
http://www.fragrancex.com/LuckyScent
http://www.luckyscent.com/Parfum1
http://www.parfum1.com/Surrender to Chance for samples
http://surrendertochance.com/Terre D' Hermes for woodsy, earthy smell. (light on citrus but you can smell it)
if you hate Terre D' Hermes try its brother Cartier Declaration (Peppery + musky version of Terre D' Hermes; if you hate the smell of cumin, you should stay away from Declaration)
Issey Miyake L'eau D'Issey
To a point, Guerlain Homme
Gucci Pour Homme
Acqua Di Parma Colonia EssenzaTry a sample of Creed Aventus, pricy but really good. Not very woody though, more of smoky + pineapple smell. Easily liked.
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Anyone know of any good webstores for colognes? Also, need some new stuff, woodsy suggestions?
www.strawberrynet.com 's been a stayer down this way. Probably been using for 10 or so years
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Working away from home on a three week rotation means I double up on quite a few items rather than carry them between home and work. Here are a few photos of my work shaving kit ( apologies for the poor I-phone shots )
Proraso products feature heavily, good value for money and perform really well.
The razor is a Feather Artist SS. I love this razor, really easy to use and quite forgiving for a straight style design. I have another one at home.
Simpsons Chubby 2 brush and a "Duo" set up of shave bowls for making some nice hot lather.
The duo is made by Mr Ansgar Tolksdorf who runs his own small company Schwarzweisskeramik
http://www.schwarzweisskeramik.de/
The Duo is an interesting design, the lathering bowl has a small hole in the base so you can stand it directly in the sink full of hot water and it remains stable.
The shave kit is pretty comprehensive for what is effectively a second set up, however spending half my year away from home working it is nice to be able to still use good kit.
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I am with you on that sentiment for sure. Next on my list will be a decent cup to bean machine that we can use in the office. I think the boss may have a fit when he sees the likely costs though.
Slowly been working on a few of my work colleagues who have spotted the shaving kit. Once they have got over the novelty value of finding someone who uses an open razor they become intrigued.
A couple of of lads have now picked up DE razors and are enjoying the benefits it brings. I am not on any kind of crusade against cartridge razors, each to their own, it is just nice to be able offer an alternative solution.
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Current Setup
Edwin Jagger DE89 Double Edge Safety Razor
Portland General Store Shave Cream
Proraso Pre/Post Shave Cream
Feather Blades
Portland General Store Silver Tip Badger Brush
Hart Steel Resin Coated Shave MugIncoming:
Muhle R41 Open Comb Double Edge Safety Razor
Weber Bulldog Handle
Sara Bonnyman Large Moss Scuttle"Obstacles are stepping-stones That guide us to our goals"
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Really nice set up!
How do you find the Portland General Store stuff? I must admit it is a brand I have not heard of before. I might try and get hold of some if you reckon it is good stuff. I will drop them a line and see whether they will post to the UK.
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I really like it. Just started using it. I bought it on sale at Gentry in Brooklyn, NY. The brush is one of the better that I have used and the cream has a nice rich, thick lather with a subtle fragrance.
"Obstacles are stepping-stones That guide us to our goals"
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I picked up Comme des Garcons' Blue Encens Eau De Parfum as my Spring/Summer scent for the year. It's early days, but a big fan so far, a lot of depth to it. Both light and deep notes.
On a related note, it's impossible to get EDT/EDP shipped from EU/UK/US to Australia, fecking annoying as the prices in AU are about twice as high as the rest of the world's.
