The Moss Scuttle was designed by Dr. Chris Moss and brought to life by Sara Bonneyman, an artisan in Nova Scotia, Canada. The simple but effective design features a small bowl resting atop a small pitcher. There are many new potters producing different versions of scuttles, but this one still holds tried and true.
It has been over two years now since I first picked up a traditional razor and I haven't looked back. Tired of the results (or lack thereof) and cost of electric razors and their kin, I decided to pick up the 'traditional' shaving arts as a way to better myself and to also pick up a new hobby. Needless to say, I had no idea that it would turn into the interest that it is today.
If there is one thing that I have learned over the years it is that you should never compromise on quality or results. I have spent a LOT of money trying different creams, razors, and the like, and for a long time I kept them all on hand. However, it dawned on me one day that it is to my advantage to only keep around the things I truly enjoy and those that meet my standards. It just makes the whole process better and prevents frustration, which is the last thing you need when you have an exceptionally sharp blade in your hand. I won't keep anything in my rotation that I do not like 100%.
I am mainly a DE style shaver, but I have experience in straights as well both modern Japanese disposable and traditional honed varieties. They all have their place in use, but really it will always come down to the user and what he wants to experience. Really there is only one place to start, however, and that is at the beginning.
Among the benefits of enjoying traditional shaving is the ability to meet exceptional people. A few years ago, I befriended Joe Chandler, a gifted straight-razor craftsman. I have had the priviledge of owning a razor from his early days as well as some newer models. Without a doubt Joe's work is some of the best out there.
In the year 1904, one of the most incredible inventions of the modern age appeared on the scene: the Gillette “Double Edge” safety razor. With the stroke of King Gillette’s distinctive ingenuity, centuries of vexatious shaving abruptly—and blessedly—came to an end. With the appearance of Mr. Gillette’s marvelous invention, the days of toilsome stropping, honing, and incessant blade warming were suddenly no more. No longer would millions of men be expected to stand in the queue at the local barbershop awaiting the next available pot of hot water and soap. From now on, men would shave themselves in the privacy of their own bath—forever liberated from the daily barber and the flash of his dreaded “cutthroat” razor.
Every truly important question in shaving ultimately boils down to one fundamental question: comfort or closeness; which one will it be? It is in the successful and predictive reconciliation of these two decisive opposites that the perfect shave is to be found. Indeed, the eternally vexatious trade off between closeness and comfort is so crucial to the elaboration of the general “shaving problem” that I would like to some explore it in more detail. (Some commentators have remarked that my insistence on returning to the “shaving problem” in my writings is really a kind of non-sequitor. In their view I have already solved the problem and should move on to other, more grandiose, shaving projects. However, with millions of men in the world still suffering from “hot face” every morning, I hardly consider the “shaving problem” solved at all).
In my previous reviews we had a look at Castle Forbes' offerings in the pre-shave and aftershave categories. What good are those though if you don’t have a shave cream to go with them?
When the news broke that Vulfix had sourced the fabled two-band badger hair and that they were releasing several sizes with this luxurious hair, I had to be one of the first ones to get my hands on one. I called Lee from leesrazors.com and was very fortunate to grab one from the first batch. Very lucky, because they sold out so fast once the news broke that many people were left disappointed.
A few years ago, the Proraso brand from Italy became very well known among men starting wet shaving. Target stores in the United States began stocking Proraso items on their shelves giving shavers easy and affordable access to decent-quality, traditional wet shaving products. Many men who adopted the practice of traditional wet shaving tried the Proraso brand and still use it today. Unfortunately Target no longer stocks the brand, but it is still available from many retailers of specialty shaving goods.
I'm frequently asked how I discovered my unique method of shaving. Did it all come to me at once, much like a Eureka! experience? Or did it emerge slowly out of the mists of my imagination? Did somebody teach it to me? Or did it involve a slow process of incremental learning until a grand conception finally materialized? Or was I in fact simply born to the role of super talented groomsman to the rich and famous?
Throughout my various writings on the subject of wet shaving, I have frequently examined the factors that determine the quality of a man’s shaving experience. In addition to frequent bits of history, I have generally discussed shaving as an extension of a man’s grooming experience and personal well being.
Charles Roberts hosted a live demonstration of his Hydrolast system of shaving. We were given the opportunity to film this event at his store, Enchante, in downtown Austin, TX. In the video Charles covers the principles of cutting forms that he has developed over the years to achieve the best shave possible. This demonstration clearly shows the level of performance for which his products are formulated, especially for unequaled cutting performance using Feather DE razor blades.