A new direction

I've taken a break from posting to concentrate on shaving brush research. I started by taking a look at British brush makers and then other European and American makers and brands. I wanted to know more about how brushes are made, by whom and how they are sold. I have bought more brushes so that I have a really good cross section of types and brands on the market today. I have started a new blog about shaving brushes and will post photos and reviews for each brush in my growing collection. A bit like my bell collection blogs.

Meanwhile, each day I enjoy better and better shaves with my delightful collection of shaving paraphernalia.

So until I have completed my shaving brush blog, I'll leave this blog as it is.

Meanwhile you can see my progress here:

Fido's Shaving Brush Blog.

Edwin Jagger Chatsworth Razor

This is the Chatsworth Chrome. It has the highly rated new head jointly sourced by Jagger with Muhle. Some people claim it has made DE shaving too easy! I think that means it's good and I find it very good indeed. I have been using a new Jagger head for several months now but I pefer a heavy razor. This weighs in at 115g compared with my first Jagger with the new head which is 60g. Here it is alongside my other Jagger and Merkur 38C. These will serve me well for many years.

Happy New Year!

After all the activity of last year it is bound to be much quieter in the coming months. With twenty creams and soaps I want to make a dent in them before adding more. Another brush soon to arrive will make nine - which will give me enough options for now. A new razor came yesterday to add to the three DE as well as straight razors. I might just run out of after shave before the year is out so there might be a need for action there.

So during the coming months it's going to be a question of really getting to know the various things I have and how to make the best use of them. I find that everything tends to get better as you gain more experience with using things. Shaving is no different.

I'll keep the blog going, try to visit some of the London barber shops and keep an eye on the forums and see how it goes.

Happy new year!

Quite a year!

What a year it's been! I began the year with one Mach 3 razor, a few blades, a can of goo and one decent after shave. I now have a collection of brushes, blades, razors, creams, soaps and after shaves that will mean that I don't really have to spend another penny on shaving for several years.

And what fun it's been. Each new item has been thoroughly researched. Orders have been placed and deliveries have kept on coming. Trips to Hungerford Gentleman's Shop and a Lymington Barber for a cut throat shave and endless browsing in pharmacies. Videos on straight shaving studied and stropping technique practiced.

And the shaves. What a delight it's been to try so many different things. Much advice has been sought and given as I constantly seek to improve my shaving technique and practices. Browsing and contributing to forums and then this blog. It all adds up to a massive learning experience this year. And the shaves I get each day are incomparably better than I was achieving this time last year.

2010 should be very different! But time will tell.

Santa gets in on the act!

DR Harris Arlington, TOBS Avacado and Van der Hagen join the stash thanks to a daughter who knows her way round the internet and a little help from Santa.

Kent BK4

This little beauty was a prize from Kent Brushes for being the first to add 10 friends to their Facebook pages.

Kent's packaging is second to none and the quality of their brushes is excellent. I posted more pictures here and will post a review when I have used the brush a few times.

Kent BK4

Semogue Limited Edition 2009

Here's No. 40 which arrived today:

These are really good value brushes made in Portugal and discussed a lot on the shaving forums. Indeed, it's down to clever marketing through the forums that sales are so good. This joins my Semogue 1305 and will soon be introduced to my rotation. Two more brushes are on their way to complete a line up of nine brushes. I wonder how many will be here this time next year!