Many of those who switched to wet-shaving also switched to expensive shaving creams and soaps. For some, wet-shaving is like a religion that demands sacrifices in the form of pricey soaps, creams, brushes and razors (new and vintage). While I admit that most of the expensive toiletries are excellent products as well, there are some that don’t deserve the hype and hefty price tag. The good news is that for all those overpriced and overrated products you also have some under-priced, underrated items. These are my picks in no particular order:
1- Valobra Stick and Soft Shaving Soaps (Creams). Great products at a bargain price. Probably the most pH neutral shaving products I have ever tried. The lather is amazingly thick and slick. The soft shaving soap has the consistency of a cream but for some reason Valobra wants to label it as soap.
2- Merkur HD Classic, Merkur Progress and Kent Shave Soap. Well, not exactly underrated, but still great products.
3- Pirate Cove Shaving Soaps. For some reason these soaps don’t get too much coverage on wet-shaving forums. However, I found them to be one of the best soaps out there. The smell is great and lasting, the lather is thick and slick and finally the price is great (about $3 on Ebay, if you can find them). 4- Gillette Super-Speed Tan (1950’s-1960’s Super-Speed). An excellent, mild razor that doesn’t get much love because of its availability. Gillette made millions of them and consequently many of them are still around the present day. You can find them on Ebay for a good price and if you are a little patient you can score one in excellent condition for $20 or so. 5- Omega Boar Shaving Brush. A great brush that behaves like a good wine; better with time. Actually, there’s a perfectly logical explanation for that. With time, the tips of the boar bristles soften while the brush remains dense and relatively stiff. An outstanding brush for soaps and a real bargain at about $12. 6- Col Conk Shaving Soaps. As good as Pirate Cove soaps for creating a good lather. A little pricier though. 7- Taylor of Bond Street Mr Taylor Shave Cream. The best cologne scented shaving cream I ever tried.
8- Col. Conk Badger Shaving Brush. They are made by Vulfix/Progress U.K. and identical to the more expensive Vulfix branded cousins.
9- French Shaving Soaps (Provence Sante, Pre de Provence, Lothantique etc… ). At least as good as the British soaps. One characteristic for most of the French soaps is that they are milder and gentler to the skin as compared with heavily scented British Soaps.
10- U.S. Personna Blades. Can be found at Wal-Mart for $1.4 a 10 pack. Not the greatest blades out there, but cheap and convenient to buy.
11- If you are in Canada: JM Fraser Shaving Cream. For $10 you get 1lb. (it’s no typo, the tub contains 1lb.) of great shaving cream. It has a light lemon/lime scent, produces a great lather and does a great job at softening your beard.
1- Valobra Stick and Soft Shaving Soaps (Creams). Great products at a bargain price. Probably the most pH neutral shaving products I have ever tried. The lather is amazingly thick and slick. The soft shaving soap has the consistency of a cream but for some reason Valobra wants to label it as soap.
2- Merkur HD Classic, Merkur Progress and Kent Shave Soap. Well, not exactly underrated, but still great products.
3- Pirate Cove Shaving Soaps. For some reason these soaps don’t get too much coverage on wet-shaving forums. However, I found them to be one of the best soaps out there. The smell is great and lasting, the lather is thick and slick and finally the price is great (about $3 on Ebay, if you can find them). 4- Gillette Super-Speed Tan (1950’s-1960’s Super-Speed). An excellent, mild razor that doesn’t get much love because of its availability. Gillette made millions of them and consequently many of them are still around the present day. You can find them on Ebay for a good price and if you are a little patient you can score one in excellent condition for $20 or so. 5- Omega Boar Shaving Brush. A great brush that behaves like a good wine; better with time. Actually, there’s a perfectly logical explanation for that. With time, the tips of the boar bristles soften while the brush remains dense and relatively stiff. An outstanding brush for soaps and a real bargain at about $12. 6- Col Conk Shaving Soaps. As good as Pirate Cove soaps for creating a good lather. A little pricier though. 7- Taylor of Bond Street Mr Taylor Shave Cream. The best cologne scented shaving cream I ever tried.
8- Col. Conk Badger Shaving Brush. They are made by Vulfix/Progress U.K. and identical to the more expensive Vulfix branded cousins.
9- French Shaving Soaps (Provence Sante, Pre de Provence, Lothantique etc… ). At least as good as the British soaps. One characteristic for most of the French soaps is that they are milder and gentler to the skin as compared with heavily scented British Soaps.
10- U.S. Personna Blades. Can be found at Wal-Mart for $1.4 a 10 pack. Not the greatest blades out there, but cheap and convenient to buy.
11- If you are in Canada: JM Fraser Shaving Cream. For $10 you get 1lb. (it’s no typo, the tub contains 1lb.) of great shaving cream. It has a light lemon/lime scent, produces a great lather and does a great job at softening your beard.
SHARE
