One of a gentleman's great luxuries is applying shaving soap with a silvertip badger hair brush. There are many advantages to using a badger hair shaving brush including that the badger hair holds water well thus producing a richer lather and that it softens and lifts the facial hair before shaving. I have three badger hair shaving brushes -- a small one with a travel case that I use when away from home, one that was my grandfather's that I regularly use (and has been used for nearly half a century no worse for the wear), and a handsome ivory and sterling handled one that I found at Bergdorf among their vintage pieces. It may take a bit more time to apply shaving soap with a shaving brush than applying shaving cream with your hand, but taking the time to do so is one of life's simple pleasures.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Pleasure of a Nice Shaving Brush - by Crawford
One of a gentleman's great luxuries is applying shaving soap with a silvertip badger hair brush. There are many advantages to using a badger hair shaving brush including that the badger hair holds water well thus producing a richer lather and that it softens and lifts the facial hair before shaving. I have three badger hair shaving brushes -- a small one with a travel case that I use when away from home, one that was my grandfather's that I regularly use (and has been used for nearly half a century no worse for the wear), and a handsome ivory and sterling handled one that I found at Bergdorf among their vintage pieces. It may take a bit more time to apply shaving soap with a shaving brush than applying shaving cream with your hand, but taking the time to do so is one of life's simple pleasures.
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5 comments:
Great stuff. I don't use a shaving brush anymore but at one point I had two from Floris in London. Frankly, the quality was not exceptional and they lost bristles very easily. The firm's almond shaving cream didn't work out well either. (Maybe you should publish more about toiletries, etc.)
But Crawford has the right idea. And brushes are the best way to work shaving cream into a dense, stubborn growth of beard to soften it up.
Agreed! My wife presented me with a German mug and brush set for my last birthday, and I really enjoy the ritual of using it every morning post-shower. My shaves are a lot closer with many fewer nicks too. Follow it with a splash or two Royale Lyme aftershave, and it's a terrific way to start they day.
Best Regards,
Ulrich von B.
I just purchased one after reading this article! Outstanding recommendation old boy!
And for those interested, I have a bunch of videos about how to shave with traditional kit like a shaving brush: www.youtube.com/shavetutor . It's not difficult but there is a bit of a learning curve while you get the hang of it. But there is nothing like the experience of warm, fragrant shaving lather on the face, especially when its cold outside!
If there is one thing I hate doing on a daily basis...shaving. But I will never not shave...I have been known to get out of a sick bed to shower and shave...and then back to bed. Makes one feel so much healthier
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