There are some things that simply should not be used when traveling: Travel Weights (that fill up with water so that you can have dumbbells on the go) or the Travel Infrared Sauna (that assembles into a personal wet sauna suite in case you need an immediate increase in humidity). When it comes to shaving, however, there are many travel products that can be helpful when you are away from home. Usually travel products are under-sized, which can make using the product awkward or less comfortable. The Parker Travel Safety Razor proves that you can have both comfort and portability in a quality travel razor.

This article by Shaving 101’s Mike Sandoval is featured in the July 2013 issue of Cigar Advisor Magazine. The article describes the problems with modern cartridge razors and aerosol creams, and why many men are caught in a vicious cycle of shaves that suck. Mike encourages men to go old school: use a double edge safety razor for a comfortable and enjoyable shave. He also describes the benefits of using a shaving brush to get a closer shave and softer skin. He also explains that traditional shaving is a fun hobby -- particularly for cigar enthusiasts -- because collecting tobacco accessories and shaving accessories are very similar with vintage and new gadgets, and products that are available in many different styles and scents. 

This article takes a look at the last step in the Neumann shave collection, the aftershaves.  Wm. Neumann & Co. offers aftershaves that are available in either an alcohol-based form, or a balm.  Each kind offers their own benefits, and Neumann even offers gift sets with both included in a great-looking wooden box.

Over the past several weeks, I have been fortunate enough to be afforded an opportunity to test out several products from a newcomer to the wet shaving market.  Bill Neumann II, founder of Wm. Neumann & Co., continues an apothecary tradition started by his great-grandfather, William Neumann, at the turn of the century.  Located in Williamsburg, VA, he opened up for business in the last few months of 2012.  Bill’s great-grandfather made several notebooks filled with detailed notes for fragrances and other men’s products while he operated his own pharmacy in Detroit.  Those notes have been preserved and passed down for three generations, and are now the cornerstone to Bill’s formulary for his fantastic new line of grooming products.  

When I saw the iKon OSS for the first time, two things came to mind: (1) I do not know how iKon names their products, but OSS sounds like a battleship, and (2) Damn, this razor looks a lot like the Feather All Stainless. This article takes a closer look at this razor from iKon to explore if it is similar to a battleship and different from its Japanese twin.

Read in your best movie trailer voice: “In a World where bay rum and alcohol collide, when your aftershave is sharp and spicy. One man and one woman will embark on a journey. A new brand will rise ... A bay rum balm will emerge. Traditional wetshaving will never be the same.” [Cue intense music: Bum bum bum bummm! and fade to black]. No, this is not the next Hollywood blockbuster, but it is an exciting product to the shaving market. This article reviews the Gilbert Henry Bay Rum Aftershave Balm.

Early in the 20th century, a historian of Eton College wrote, “No other school can claim to have sent forth such a cohort of distinguished figures to make their mark on the world.” Princes William and Harry are alumni, and David Cameron is the 19th British Prime Minister who attended Eton. It is the most famous high school in the world and boasts a long and proud history. In the shaving world, Taylor of Old Bond Street is a well-known brand with its own long and proud history. Drawing youthful inspiration from the famous school, Taylor produced the Eton College fragrance and shaving range. This article takes an in-depth look at Taylor of Old Bond Street Eton College Shave Cream to see how it fares against other traditional shaving creams.

By today’s modern standards, traditional shaving can appear complicated. Lather must be created with cream, brush, and bowl instead of the push of a button on an aerosol can. Similarly a traditional wetshaver has to master important variables, such as angle and pressure, which modern cartridge razors remove from the equation. Because they are widely available and most of us learned to shave with these convenient products, many men developed lazy habits that hinder their results with traditional products.  This article helps new wetshavers more easily transition from mass-market cartridges to the enjoyment of traditional shaving.