Saponificio Varesino 70th Anniversary Special Edition

Yeah… this is the end result. A giant pack of Derby’s, a bulk pack of Arko, an Edwin Jagger DE86BL and a Merkur 43c - more razors than I have faces for – not to mention another which isn’t even in this picture. How did this happen?

First – I should say I have not completely joined the cult of wet shaving. I JOKINGLY say cult because, as someone who has always shaved with a cartridge razor and saw shaving as just something that needs to be done as part of a routine, looking at some forums, there seems to be an obsession with the process of shaving, and having to follow certain guidelines, but I say it in humor, not in offense. These guys are serious about what they love, like any other hobby. I haven’t gotten into it to that extent. I’m still at the point where I shave because I don’t want to look grizzly, and I want to save money. Even with what’s above I’ve spent less than I would have with cartridges – assuming I didn’t use them to the point where they were dull as butter knives… which I did. That said, if I have to shave I want to enjoy the process, which does put me somewhere in the cult. Where I digress is in how I shave. My process is basically to shave the same way as I used to – wet my face, add foam/gel, shave. I might make 2 passes now, but not always – especially if I’m in a rush. Even making one pass with these razors I get a better a shave than cartridges. Forums will tell you what equipment to use and how you need to make many passes to have your face wind up like a baby’s ass. OK. They’re right – take your time and it will come out perfect.

You may find warnings about using the right technique to shave, and how you may go medieval on your face. OK. I don't see how. Maybe I have idiot-proof razors. I tried to shave wrong to see what would happen. Seriously. I just dove in, shaving by feel. I could not cut or scratch myself, beyond a tiny tiny nick, and I've done far worse with a Mach 3. If you’re not that picky, don’t really care for the process in general, and/or just want to be cheap, DE is still the way to go.

So anyway, enough BS... how did I get here?

Some time ago I went to shave with my Schick Quattro and it hurt to use, because the blades had been over used. This wasn’t the first time, and it dawned on me that I was a habitual over user of blades because the cartridges cost too much. In fact, I was using the Quattro because I had run out of Mach 3 replacement blades, and had one or two cheaper Quattro blades left… which I had run out of. Knowing that I would have to pay a fortune for more cartridges, I started looking at cheaper alternatives, and all signs pointed towards double edge razors.

I visited sites like Badger & Blade and www.shaving101.com/ and sharpologist.com/ and found great feedback about Derby blades, not just for their overall quality but also for being cheap. Most places were going gaga over Merkur razors, and many sites suggest people start off with a Merkur 34c. Not wanting to spend $40+ right away, I went to Amazon and got a 100 pack (2 years worth) of Derby blades for less than $8 and a Ri Mei razor for about $7.

OK – let’s be honest. The Ri Mei isn’t exactly the world’s greatest razor. It’s extremely light, and it doesn’t feel like it was made from the best materials. There is a screw on the bottom of the razor that serves absolutely no purpose as far as I can tell, and seems to loosen with each shave. And the packaging was crap. The grip is decent enough, and the threads for the head and handle seem to be the same as Edwin Jagger (I swapped heads when I got the Jagger just to see if it would work) so if you want to get a better handle you can, though the head still isn’t the greatest. The sides of the blade stick out, making blade swaps a bit painful.

Canned shaving cream, being what it is, sucked, so I invested another $10 in a Van Der Hagen brush, bowl, and soap kit which then demanded that I get a stand, so the brush would dry properly. I initially took the DIY route before getting a real stand. The boar brush that comes with that set is pretty bad. It gets the job done, but it’s rough. The little bowl that comes with the kit is tiny, slippery, and fairly worthless. The soap itself is pretty decent, but you can get it at Wal Mart for $2. If you were to go for a VDH kit, the luxury set is a much better deal, coming with a badger brush, decent stand, great mug, and premium soap. I have not gone that route. Instead, on the way to QA some wine I stopped into Target and found the Shea Moisture badger brush for less than $10. Was it worth the investment? Oh hell yeah. The boar brush was immediately kicked to the curb.

This just left me with one last bit. Getting a better razor. I had been looking around, and even held a few Merkur razors, but ultimately being cheap won out and I settled on the Edwin Jagger DE86BL – because it was $25 from a 3rd party seller – I really wanted the Barley Chrome version but wasn’t willing to spend that much at first. In any case, I got my razor and… WOW. When I say there was an immediate difference in shave quality and comfort I am not kidding. Shaving was a pleasure.

I have to say I love the look of the Jagger razor. It feels very nice as well. The problem? (at least as I saw it then) The Jagger is short and I have big hands. It’s also not very heavy, and I was hoping for something with a bit more weight. After a few months I decided to get something heavier and longer. I figured I shouldn’t half ass it. I went all in and got a face hammer – the Merkur 43c. This thing is big. It is heavy. It is awesome. The only thing is I think I prefer the Jagger. After using both, a part of me likes the smaller size and lighter weight. (though the Jagger still has a good weight) That said, the Merkur is fantastic. Every time I say I like the Jagger more I go and try the Merkur and then I say I love that razor. Ultimately though, I do find the Jagger is easier to work with, but both are great.

Will I get the Jagger barley chrome? I dunno. The cult goes on and on about the Gillette Fatboy and how it's the greatest razor ever, or at least one of them, and the Red Tip also looks cool. I might need to find out what the big fuss is about... No – bad wallet, BAD! We need to SAVE money!

I’ll get back to y’all later with an update.

#SOTD #PalAdjustableInjector that I received today from a #Passaround on #BadgerAndBlade a #Schick #Platinium blade, #MadeInGermany #TabacOriginal #ShaveSoap by #Maurer&Wirtz #Tweezerman #Badger #ShaveBrush and #Oland from the #Vintage #Avon #OnTap bottle. First time with this razor and first time in a LONG time with the soap. The soap was #AHHHMAZING . The #Injector was a bit #Meh . I'll give it another shot tomorrow before I pass judgement on it, though. #Wetshaving #SEShaving #VintageShave #RazorTestDrive

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Select Sandalwood and Muhle V2.0 Synthetic 21mm brush

#SOTD #Gem #Micromatic #ClogPruf #SingleEdge #SafetyRazor (AKA #MrUgly) loaded with a Gem blade. #Barbasol #ShaveSoap occupying my #Vintage #Shulton #OldSpice #ShaveMug made in #Belgium and whipped up using a #Tweezerman #Badger #ShaveBrush . Standing in the back is an #Avon #RememberWhen #VisibleGasPump bottle fueled up with #WildCountry #Aftershave #SingleEdgeSeptember #SEptember #BadgerAndBlade #VintageShave #SingleEdgeShaving #Wetshaving

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This is a Sweet Little Gift for a Sweet Retreat into Lush Fragrances wrapped in a luxurious bubbly blanket of squeaky clean goodness.

Softer than ever before your skin will radiate.

Also included a natural loofah and super thick scrubby a super soap saver soap dish, foot stone, little heart kissed ducky all snuggled in a hand woven basket that can be reused. $ 20.00

#SOTD #WWII era #Gillette #ContractTech that looks like it's seen lots of use loaded with a #MadeInEngland #WilkinsonSword #DEBlade . The #ShaveBrush is a #Badger #Tweezerman to #FaceLather some #Arko #ShaveSoap from an almost exhausted #ShaveStick and the #Aftershave of the day is #Vintage #Shulton #OldSpice in the original glass bottle. #Wetshaving #DEShave #VintageShave

25 Likes on Instagram

#SOTD #1957 #Gillette #BlueTip #Superspeed #DERazor with a #Schick #PlusPlatinum blade, #Barbasol #ShaveSoap in the #Vintage #OldSpice mug #EverReady150 #Boar #ShaveBrush and #Avon #Spicy to finish things off. #VintageShave #Wetshaving #ShaveOfTheDay

26 Likes on Instagram

#SOTD I decided to take a #PostShave pic today, and the brush is still super full of lather, even after 3 passes. #Vintage #Schick #Krona #DERazor with my favorite #EnglishMade #WilkinsonSword blade, #TabacOriginal #ShaveSoap #Omega #Boar #ShaveBrush and to finish, #Avon #IslandLime from a sample I received from a fellow #BadgerAndBlade #ALPHATeam member. #VintageShave #DEShave #Wetshaving #BBS #Refreshing

25 Likes on Instagram

2 Comments on Instagram:

straightrazoruk: Nice!

watchpurism: Love your ig, you should check out mine @watchpurism

ERN straight razor

Mennen Skin Bracer A/S

Mirac's $2.45 horse hair shave brush

Euro Palmolive Shave Stick Soap

this is a good example of an economical straight razor shave...this straight razor cost me all of $10.50, the shave brush (as mentioned) was less than $3, the shave stick price is around $4, the after shave (Mennen), local grocery store sourced, about $4 too

Shaving with a straight razor does not have to be expensive nor do you need to use expensive shave products to produce a good lather and treat your skin (wiith an after shave) well after the shave

I like the more expensive products but in my experience, they do not necessarily work better than what you see here. That said, I have the tools and technology that was required to turn this prior neglected 90 year old straight razor into shave ready condition. But, in my opinion, that's half the fun of shaving with a vintage straight razor, finding old razors that are not shave ready and make them so, and also, without a lot of fan fare to get them shave ready again. I much prefer to keep the razor as original as possible, cleaning and polishing rather than sanding and restoring the blade. Guess you could say I like patina=:-)

#SOTD #Gem #1912 #SingleEdgeRazor #TaylorOfOldBondStreet #Sandalwood #ShaveSoap in my #Belgium #Shulton #OldSpice #ShaveMug using an #Omega #Boar #ShaveBrush and #Vintage #Avon #TaiWinds #Aftershave from the green #SterlingSixII bottle to finish. There's just something about using a razor that was designed and patented 103 years ago! #VintageShave #SEptember #SingleEdgeSeptember #BadgerAndBlade

14 Likes on Instagram

#SOTD #Gillette #NewStandard #OpenComb #DERazor manufactured in #1922 loaded with a #Schick #PlusPlatinum blade. The #ShaveSoap in the #Vintage #Shulton #OldSpice #ShaveMug is #TaylorOfOldBondStreet #Sandalwood and the #Avon #GavelBottle is filled with #SpicyAftershave #VintageShave #Wetshaving #OCtober #OpenCombOctober #BadgerAndBlade #ShaveNook

23 Likes on Instagram

1 Comments on Instagram:

_evahs_: Awesome :)

Scented in Bay Rum, this shaving soap is great for a man.

Made with our great hot process soap recipe, this soap will leave your skin smooth and soft. We have added bentonite clay to add glide for a smooth shave, making this a perfect shaving soap.

Listing is for 1 - 3.5 ounce bar

Ingredients: distilled water, palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, soybean oil, unrefined fair trade shea butter, sodium hydroxide, bentonite clay, fragrance, color (ultramarine blue oxide)

#SOTD #1959 #Gillette #195Adjustable #DERazor that was originally sold for a whopping $1.95 (Hence the name...) with a #WilkinsonSword blade #MadeInEngland on its 6th shave. #Barbasol #ShaveSoap in its residence #OldSpice #ShaveMug that was #MadeInBelgium . The #Vintage #Avon bottle is a #HaynesApperson1902 #SteamCar filled with #TaiWinds #Aftershave #Wetshaving #DEShave #Fatboy #VintageShave #3PassBliss

15 Likes on Instagram

1 Comments on Instagram:

myinnergreatness: I like!

#SOTD #ShaveOfTheDay #1960 #Gillette #FlairTip #Superspeed #DERazor loaded with a #MadeInEngland #WilkinsonSword blade. The #Vintage #Shulton #OldSpice #ShaveMug was #MadeInBelgium and holds the remnants of a puck of #Barbasol #ShaveSoap and the #ShaveBrush is a #Boar #EverReady150 The green #SterlingSixII bottle is filled with vintage #Avon #TaiWinds #Aftershave for a smooth finish. #VintageShave #InternationalShave #DEShave

21 Likes on Instagram

Cold River Soap Works

Face, shave, and shampoo soap that really works!

#SOTD #Ikon #Shavecraft101 hybrid #OpenComb / #SafetyBar #DERazor from a pass around on #ShaveNook with a #MadeInEngland #WilkinsonSword blade. The old standby #Shulton #OldSpice #ShaveMug with #TOBS #TaylorOfOldBondStreet #Sandalwood #ShaveSoap using an #Omega #Boar #ShaveBrush and #Vintage #Avon #LeatherAftershave from my amber #CapitolBuildingBottle #DEShave #RazorTestDrive #OpenCombOctober #OCtober

23 Likes on Instagram

Precious as can be this beautiful silver twist basket is packed full of yummy items from the Sun Ripened Raspberry Shampoo Body Wash all the way down to the Adorable heart kissed little Ducky will have her saying "I Love You!"

#SOTD #1954 #RollsRazor from an #Imperial set #MadeInEngland with a #HollowGroundBlade of #SheffieldSteel . The car bottle is filled with #Vintage #Avon #WildCountry #Aftershave and the #OldSpice #ShaveMug holds a puck of #TaylorOfOldBondStreet #Sandalwood #ShaveSoap whipped up with an #Omega #Boar #ShaveBrush . #VintageShave #Wetshaving #StraightOnAStick #WellStropped #LifetimeBlade #SafetyRazor

25 Likes on Instagram

1 Comments on Instagram:

avnbeautyleads: awesome pic

Only the finest create the worlds finest soap!

This makes the best shampoo and body wash with so many thick and creamy rainbow bubbles it makes you feel so good.

Now I have to locate my antique Straight Razor.

#SOTD #ShaveOfTheDay #EverReady #1924 #ShovelHead #SingleEdgeRazor #TaylorOfOldBondStreet #Sandalwood #ShaveSoap in the #Belgian #Shulton #OldSpice mug. #Omega #Boar #ShaveBrush and #DollarStore #Knockoff #Brut from a #Vintage #Avon #IndianHead bottle to finish. #SEptember #BadgerAndBlade #VintageShave #SEShave #Wetshaving #RetroShaving #SingleEdgeSeptember

27 Likes on Instagram

Not your everyday melt and pour this Glycerin Butterfly was created using my handmade Cococastile soap formula, Frenched milled with natural vegetable kosher glycerin added to make the softest skin you have ever felt.

Cold River Soap Works