Gourmet Shaving, the 3rd Edition

LeisureGuy kindly wrote to let us know that the third edition of his shaving bible is out:

The third edition of Leisureguy’s Guide to Gourmet Shaving is now available. It contains new material, it’s priced back at $11.95 (down from $12.95 for the second edition), and I have moved it from Lulu.com (because their shipping charges were excessive). You can find it now at www.gourmetshaving.com.

This is an absolute must read for the wet-shaver. Michael is not only a gentleman of opinion and principle, but a guy who knows his shave. Thanks for the heads up!

"Clunkers" for Cash and Australian Inductees

It is becoming increasingly appealing for our American neighbors to consider letting go of their old vehicles in favor of more efficient, newer ones, and of course with the added nudge of a monetary incentive.

It is only natural that we wish to improve the way we do things and the quality of the things we own. Always trading up. As for me, efficiency was one of the things that drove me to keep switching to the newest, fastest, most aerodynamic, and latest blade-laden cartridge razor on the market.

But some aspects were falling short of my expectations; I was spending a small fortune to coerce my facial hair to grow in, instead of out, where it could be shaven the next day. So this is where I looked into replacing my state-of-the-art plastic wonder with a clunker, an old, used (or more gently called vintage) double edge razor. On the long run, this led me to an improvement of my shaving outcome and to a more natural and economic way of achieving it. I've since replaced that clunker with a new double-edge razor (the trading up again), but I keep hanging on to my wet shaving routine.

Now this idea didn't just pop into my head one day. As many of you, I started googling left and right my shaving woes and happening onto articles written by guys who already had figured this out, tutorials, and forums about traditional shaving. The interweb was there to support and guide me.

It's sort of neat that a new tool can point us to discovering and keeping alive old traditions.

And on that note I wanted to share this article about our Aussie friends using the web to their advantage to convert to wet shaving. It doesn't forget to give a nod to Badger & Blade, which is instrumental for any new wet-shaver and definitely was for me.

And to all the guys who are giving this a try of late, way to go!

Fendrihan, Double-Edge Razors

Sweet Kent Hair Brushes and Combs for a Steal

We've not only recently added some sweet, handmade Kent hair brushes and combs over at Fendrihan, but seven of them are considerably marked down for a while. You can head to the store to check them out.

The ST-3 and ST-12 are discreet brushes that clean the hair and stimulate the scalp. The Mini Hog is small as well and convenient for general styling. The Slim Jim is a stylish, pocket-sized comb. Both the MS23D and the MG2 are beautiful classic brushes with natural wood bases. So is the OG1, with a handy club shape.

So I think there's a little something for every taste; some of these brushes are designed to address specific hair typologies such as fine, thinning or dull hair.

Most Popular Double-Edge Safety Razors

Shaving has ceased being just a daily, bothersome task; to some, this activity has evolved into an art form. And just like any form of art, you would need the perfect tools to be able to produce a masterpiece – a perfectly-shaved face. Let’s talk about the double-edge safety razors that are still being produced and are still available in the market today. Which one is the best product, you ask? Read on, and you can be the judge.

The Weishi Razor is a classic safety razor, nothing frilly or complicated about it. It is straightforward enough to be used by those who are just getting started on wet-shaving. Once you get the feel of how wet-shaving with a classic razor is like, you won’t have any problems with using this tool.

The simplicity of the Weishi makes it very easy to use – you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out how it works. Your shaving prowess can be perfected using this razor, as it is not an aggressive one – the results lie on how well you actually do the shaving. The lightness of the Weishi will also be a delight to those who are not comfortable with a bulky, heavy razor close to their faces.

The Weishi’s strengths can also be seen as weaknesses, depending on one’s point of view. With the results relying on the technique used instead of on the razor’s capabilities, it may defeat the purpose of buying a good quality razor in the first place. The light weight also has its disadvantages – you might not be able to control the amount of pressure needed to have the closest shave; coupled with bad luck (and unsteady hand), this can result to painful nicks and small cuts.

Merkur HD was regarded by many users as a bargain considering the results it brings. It used to be one of the middle-priced razors delivering results comparable to higher-priced products.

You will know that you have a high-quality razor in your hands the moment you touch it – starting from the handle. The grooves on the handle provide a good grip while shaving, and while changing the blade. This razor is perfect for wet-shaving beginners and experts alike. With its rugged design and chrome finish, the Merkur HD is designed to stand the test of time.

Those who have used the Merkur HD seem to have only good things to say about it. This was one product that seemed to have found the perfect balance in terms of quality and price, until Dovo decided to increase the price by 30%.

The Merkur 38C is a beautiful shaving tool. As with razors bearing the Merkur brand name, you are assured of the same high-quality results that their other products deliver.

Aesthetically, the Merkur 38C is hard to beat. It has a lovely chrome finish, and the handle has a spiraled barber pole design. It gives an excellent close shave without causing irritating burns even on the most sensitive skin. This razor is built for long-term, heavy-duty use, like its other Merkur brothers.

Let’s now take a look at the Edwin Jagger Classic DE, a middle-priced razor that comes in different models (86, 89 and 89L). The main difference between the models is the way the handles are designed; all of these models basically have the same great features that users love and trust.

One of the first things you will notice about the EdwinJagger Classic models is the awesome chrome finish. As soon as you hold it and try shaving with it, you will see that the great packaging is not everything it has to offer – the balance is good; the shaving aggressiveness even better. Changing the blades is very easy with all models, making it a good razor for both wet-shaving beginners and enthusiasts alike.

The Edwin Jagger Classic razors are not adjustable – a drawback for those who want to have more flexibility in this department. There are also some instances when the handles tend to be a little on the slippery side – you have to thank the shiny chrome finish for that. The grooves and indentations on the handle that other razors have to provide a better grip are missing on most EJ classic razors (except for the lined chromed model).

Another quality product under the Merkur brand name is the Merkur Progress. This double-edged safety razor is built to last, with a few more tricks under its belt included.

The Merkur Progress features an adjustable head which can be moved according to the owner’s preference. Adjusting the blade gap depth can result to a great shave with fewer burns and irritations. This is a must-have for those who are just starting to try their hand at wet-shaving.

Users of the Merkur Progress have an issue with its handle, specifically with the grip – it tends to get slippery when wet. Changing the blades can also be challenging, the number settings will become misaligned if the head is not screwed back properly as per Merkur's instructions. In addition, the Progress does not sport a classy look, unlike other double-edge safety razors available in the market.

Moving on, the Merkur Futur is considered by some to have the sleekest look among Merkur’s double-edge safety razor line. Aesthetics aside, this razor can hold its own among its contemporaries. Its stability allows you to use the slightest pressure when shaving; you can let the razor's weight do most of the work. This adjustable razor lets you move the head according to your preference, and this proves handy when you need to reach a specific area on your face.

As sleek as it is, the Futur’s handle lacks the steady grip associated with those that have indentations; it is very easy for a hand to slip on the sleek, shiny handle. The head may be a bit too big and bulky for some users, which makes for a challenging shaving maneuver. When adjusting the razor, the finger also comes perilously close to the blades, exposing the user to a higher risk of injuring himself.

The reviews here are made with the purpose of guiding you towards the best double-edge safety razors in the market today. There is still no better way to judge a product than actually giving it a try, to see for yourself how you respond to you (and vice-versa). You cannot truly say that you have found the “best” razor if you haven’t tried the others yet, right?

Classic Wet-Shaving Razors

Shave Digitally

I doubt the digi-shave would work on this one. The Beards by spookyamd

Some folks at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University have come up with a virtual way to shave called image-based shaving. 

These academics have basically been able to decompose an image of a man's face into layers, where the permanent facial features would be one structure and the beard or facial hair another. Then this top layer could be extracted, for a quick and accurate digi-shave, or transferred from a source face, for a pixel-based insta-beard.

I definitely see applications in the areas of photo retouching, fashion, and cosmetology.  

Of mad men and body hair

A worthwhile article over at canada.com on men gone mad. It revolves around the Gillette video series, which explains how to shave different body parts, such as your chest, back and shoulders and, (how is it that they put it?) your underbrush.

It's all part of a manscaping trend that started (as far as I'm concerned) with the underarm area and has unmercifully gained terrain since. 

Of course, you can't blame Gillette for it; they're doing a beautiful job of selling their product line, including their new grooming concoctions courtesy of P&G. 

But some of their suggestions alarm me. Like part of the script on the "Shaving your groin" video. Why the hell do I need five blades slicing so close to my tender tissues and, of all the razors they sell, why do they have to recommend the Fusion Power. Isn't that a vibrating one? What exactly are we getting to here? Of course they remind you to have some common sense as well, so that should cancel out all the nonsense that preceded that sentence.

As Bruce Ward so masterfully put it:

Sigmund Freud once asked, "What do women want?" The only thing I have learned over the years is that women want men to stop doing dumb things like trying to shave their groin.

Update: NY Times also has an article about this new trend.

Fendrihan - Traditional Shaving

Knowing and Caring for Your Hair Type

Lately, as I have been scouring and browsing through the hair care aisles of department stores and cosmetic shops, I noticed that one very significant product line was missing, men’s hair brushes. It was surprising to find that stores rarely, if at all, carry a line of hair brushes for men. Does this mean that men are supposed to use the same hair brushes as women? As far as I know men and women have different hair care needs, so they need different hair brushes.

Now, to pick a hair brush you first have to figure out what your hair type is.

Men’s hair types are just as varied as women’s. Caring for the different types of hair requires knowing what particular type of hair you have and having the right kind of tools to meet the needs of your hair. Styling and caring for your hair will be very difficult, if not impossible, if you use the wrong products. Each type of hair calls for a different kind of brush and a different kind of routine.

Read on for care tips for each hair type and brush recommendations. I've recommended Kent brushes as they come in a variety of styles to suit different kinds of hair. They are all are hand-made or hand finished in England with traditional methods.

Kent MS23D hair brush

Men with Fine Hair

For men with fine hair, the main concern is that no matter what you do to try and style your hair, it always seems to look the same. Unless you use styling products with the strongest hold, your hair will always fall the same way. The upside of having fine hair is that it is often sleek and shiny. Men with fine hair should look to maintaining the sleekness and shine of their hair. The key to caring for fine hair is to use a brush with soft or medium strength bristles. This will allow your hair to maintain that sleek and shiny look. For an excellent brush for fine hair, try the Kent MS23D hair brush.

Men with Medium Hair

Men with medium hair are lucky. Medium hair is the most ideal type of hair. It is shiny and easy to manage. It also does not dry easily which means it can be managed without much fuss. Men with medium hair can use just about any brush. However, it is advisable to use a brush with medium to stiff bristles. Of course, it is very important to make brushing a part of your daily routine to maintain healthy hair. Also, brushing the hair cannot simply be a few strokes here and there. There is a proper way to do it. For medium hair, it is best to begin brushing from the nape to the front of the head while it is tipped slightly forward and down. After this, you can begin to style your hair any way you want to. This method of brushing is also ideal because it mimics the head massages that you usually get from your barber or from the spa. For the best brush for medium hair, try Kent's MS11.

Kent OG2 and MN11 hair brushes

Men with Thick Hair

If you are not quite as lucky as men with medium hair and you end up having thick hair, do not lose hope. Thick hair can be as difficult to style as fine hair. But this does not mean that it is unmanageable. It may not be the get-up-and-go type of hair but there is still is a way to style it and manage it. The key to managing and caring for thick hair is using a brush with very stiff bristles. Brushes with very stiff bristles allow you to reach beyond your thick hair and unto your scalp to give it the care it needs as well. The Kent Men’s Hair Brush OG2 and the Kent MN11 are brushes that come highly recommended for men with thick hair. In fact, these brushes were developed specifically for men with such type of hair. Using these brushes makes it easier to manage thick hair and style it the way you want to.

Men with Thinning or Receding Hair

Thinning or receding hair is probably the most common type of hair that men worry about. There comes a time when you might start noticing that the hair on top of your head is thinning out. You may think that just because thinning hair is a natural phenomenon there is no way to properly care for it. Actually there is. Receding hair is caused by a multitude of reasons including aging, genes, and the hormonal changes that men undergo as they age. Although proper care alone will not add more hair to your head, it is best to care for what hair you have left. For thinning or receding hair, a soft-bristle brush is the most effective. Brushes with softer cut of bristles should be used on this type of hair because they are more soothing to the scalp. Using a brush with bristles that are too stiff may cause you to lose more hair due to breakage. The Kent MS23 was specifically made for thinning hair and is properly marked with “Soft” on the package to distinguish it from the company’s other hair brushes.

Before buying a brush, it is important to know what type of hair you have. Your type of hair will determine the kind of brush you need. More importantly, your type of hair will determine how is must be cared for and managed. Do not think that only women should worry about the kind of hair they have. Men have different types of hair too! Each type of hair requires a different set of hair care products most especially brushes. Know your hair! That is the first step towards proper hair care.

Kent Hair Brushes