Member
(This post was last modified: 06-27-2024, 01:42 AM by Tedolph.)
Hello everyone!
I enjoy many things here at DFS. One of those things is learning about new products and benefiting from the experiences of others before I buy anything. This is really important with quality shaving products having all but disappeared from brick and mortar stores. It wasn't all that long ago that you could still buy DE razors, bushes and a selection of hard puck soaps in local drug stores. I also really enjoy the fantastic SOTD photo's. They are almost a visual ASMR experience. But.....boy, some of the products there are really pricey! The kinds of things I would never buy for myself. Nevertheless, I can enjoy vicariously. Having said that, I am sometimes asked by younger guys (I am getting up there) about how to abandon the multiblade cartridge madness, or electric razor misery and get into SE/DE wet shaving. I am also please to admit that sometimes younger ladies ask me what I am wearing. Now for me, usually it is cheap stuff (Pinaud, Pino Silvestre, Cella, etc) but occasionally more expensive, e.g. Floid. So I wonder, from a value/performance point of view, what kind of mass market products would you recommend to someone just starting out? What I am thinking of, is if you were to put together a kit of high end, mass market soap or creme, brush, razor and aftershave what would it look like? I hate to put price limits on this but I am thinking of soaps less than $15.00, brushes less than $20.00, razors less than $25.00, aftershaves less than $15.00, etc. The goal here would be to get somebody started off for less then $100 with quality stuff that would be enjoyable to use. Vintage stuff and stuff on sale is OK too. In other words, in your opinion what products in each of those categories punch way above their weight class? Advice on blades would also be appreciated. I am also interested to hear from those of you across the pond using your own products at your local prices.
Please understand this is not an attack on "artisan" products or high end stuff. I know that for many of you that is part of what makes shaving so enjoyable. But, for people just starting out things may be different. Everybody can always go that route later if they want to (or even if they don't want to!).
So, what are your best "bang for buck" products? Also, a word or two on what makes it so great would be appreciated.
I will give you some of my ideas after you have made some contributions. I don't want to poison the well in advance. If some of you already have some of these products, maybe you would like to put together a photo of a "poor man's" high end SOTD photo?
Best wishes, Tedolph
I enjoy many things here at DFS. One of those things is learning about new products and benefiting from the experiences of others before I buy anything. This is really important with quality shaving products having all but disappeared from brick and mortar stores. It wasn't all that long ago that you could still buy DE razors, bushes and a selection of hard puck soaps in local drug stores. I also really enjoy the fantastic SOTD photo's. They are almost a visual ASMR experience. But.....boy, some of the products there are really pricey! The kinds of things I would never buy for myself. Nevertheless, I can enjoy vicariously. Having said that, I am sometimes asked by younger guys (I am getting up there) about how to abandon the multiblade cartridge madness, or electric razor misery and get into SE/DE wet shaving. I am also please to admit that sometimes younger ladies ask me what I am wearing. Now for me, usually it is cheap stuff (Pinaud, Pino Silvestre, Cella, etc) but occasionally more expensive, e.g. Floid. So I wonder, from a value/performance point of view, what kind of mass market products would you recommend to someone just starting out? What I am thinking of, is if you were to put together a kit of high end, mass market soap or creme, brush, razor and aftershave what would it look like? I hate to put price limits on this but I am thinking of soaps less than $15.00, brushes less than $20.00, razors less than $25.00, aftershaves less than $15.00, etc. The goal here would be to get somebody started off for less then $100 with quality stuff that would be enjoyable to use. Vintage stuff and stuff on sale is OK too. In other words, in your opinion what products in each of those categories punch way above their weight class? Advice on blades would also be appreciated. I am also interested to hear from those of you across the pond using your own products at your local prices.
Please understand this is not an attack on "artisan" products or high end stuff. I know that for many of you that is part of what makes shaving so enjoyable. But, for people just starting out things may be different. Everybody can always go that route later if they want to (or even if they don't want to!).
So, what are your best "bang for buck" products? Also, a word or two on what makes it so great would be appreciated.
I will give you some of my ideas after you have made some contributions. I don't want to poison the well in advance. If some of you already have some of these products, maybe you would like to put together a photo of a "poor man's" high end SOTD photo?
Best wishes, Tedolph
