Ask Aaron Q/A: Would you recommend the Muhle R89 Grande?

April 19, 2012 · Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Double Edge Shaving, Safety Razors · Comment 

ask aaron 420 Ask Aaron Q/A: Would you recommend the Muhle R89 Grande?

Aaron answers a question about the Muhle R89 Grande Long Handled safety razor

Andrew Horwell, from the UK, asks:

“I have a Edwin Jagger DE89L razor and have recently aquired a Merkur Future razor cheap from a well know auction web site. I like the head of the EJ but I like the weight of the Merkur (the merkur head seems a little too bulky when shaving under the nose). For someone with sensitive skin, what razor could I look at that would be the best of both?. I have been looking at the Muhle R89 Grande, what do you think?”

Muhle R89 Grande Long Handled Double Edged Chrome Safety Razor

AARON SAYS

“Mr Horwell,
Your comment of the head profile being hard to shave under the nose with is a common complaint with the Merkur Futur and Vision razors.

The Muhle R89 Grande is a good alternative and I would also suggest you look at the Merkur 38c and the Merkur Progress long handle razors.

The Progress is honestly my favorite and my daily go-to razor. It’s head has a slimmer profile than the Vision or Futur and I think you’ll find you have no problem shaving under your nose with it. Thanks for your question!!

Happy Shaving,
Aaron”

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Ask Aaron Q/A: Do double-edged safety razors provide a superior shaving experience?

April 19, 2012 · Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Double Edge Shaving, Safety Razors · Comment 

ask aaron 420 Ask Aaron Q/A: Do double edged safety razors provide a superior shaving experience?

Aaron answers a question about whether a DE safety razor offers a better shave than a cartridge razor

Benny Saelens, from Belgium, asks:

“Dear Aaron, I have been shaving for many years using a Gillette Mach 3 and for the last year on a regular basis with the Fusion. I would like to have a better shave but also a safe one. Would you advise me to swap a cartridge type razor to a DE safety razor, and if yes, which one? I have rather sensitive skin. Many thanks in advance for your appreciated advise, Benny.”

Parker Model 94R

AARON SAYS

“Benny,
With a little attention and technique the DE razor is just as safe as the modern cartridge razor such as the Mach 3 and Fusion you mention. I recommend the Merkur 34c, the Edwin Jagger DE86 or DE89, Parker 94R, or the Bluebeard’s Revenge Scimitar. These all are recommended for beginning shavers due to their mild blade exposure, which would be ideal for your sensitive skin. I think you will find the shave with a DE very rewarding and enjoyable.

Happy Shaving!
Aaron”

Do you have any burning questions you would like ask our wet shaving expert Aaron Wolfenbarger?

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Bluebeards ‘Scimitar’ crowned world’s best razor by About.com readers

April 2, 2012 · Posted in Product News, Shaving in the News, Shaving Shack News · Comment 

The Bluebeards Revenge “Scimitar” Double Edge Razor has been named the winner in the About.com 2012 Readers’ Choice Award for best wet shaving razor.

The iconic razor beat off competition from Gillette’s Fusion ProGlide and the Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 to scoop the coveted first prize.

bluebeards scimitar 300x300 Bluebeards Scimitar crowned worlds best razor by About.com readers

The Bluebeards Revenge “Scimitar” Double Edge Razor

Nick Gibbens, The Bluebeards Revenge’s PR and Marketing Manager, said: “We are truly honoured to win such a prestigious award. To beat the world’s biggest two shaving brands is a massive achievement and something we are extremely proud of.

“It’s also nice to see that people voted for a traditional single bladed safety razor over a multi-bladed cartridge system. Hopefully this shows that times are changing and men are turning their backs on expensive cartridge razors and investing in a shaving solution that provides a much closer shave and is cheaper in the long run.

“I would like to thank everyone who voted for us.”

The ‘Scimitar’ is a totally stunning, bespoke, German engineered double edged razor. It’s designed to cut through the manliest of stubble.

Meanwhile, The Bluebeards Revenge’s beard reducing shaving cream took second place in the best shaving cream category.

Now in its fifth year, the Readers’ Choice Awards honour the world’s best products, features and services across more than a dozen categories, ranging from technology to hobbies to parenting and men’s grooming, as selected by its readers.

In January, the site’s readers were asked to nominate their favourite shaving cream brands and aftershave products. After a nomination period that saw a flurry of activity, three finalists were chosen in each category. From February 18 through March 21, 2012, readers cast tens of thousands of votes every day via the About.com website.

World’s first living shaving brush!

April 1, 2012 · Posted in Product News · Comment 

As unbelievable as it sounds an amazing observation by scientists at the World Hair Anagen Cycle Centre (WHACC) has led to the world’s first “living” shaving brush. “It’s a true phenomenon! We noticed that moulting hair from badgers, although separated from the badger itself, continued with the growth cycle” said a spokesman for the centre. Following a rigorous testing phase, scientists were able to harness this unique growth of badger bristle and apply it to a series of products to showcase the phenomena and it’s potential uses to the world.

“A couple of us are into traditional shaving using badger hair shaving brushes so we thought we’d have a bit of fun. We planted the bristles into a standard plastic handle, using a mix of resin and a unique formula agar jelly to hold them in place” said Professor Ed Brag.

The following pictures show the amazing 6 week growth experienced by the prototype shaving brush.


A clear 10mm growth in Badger Bristle Length (BBL) is shown, with the Badger Density Index (BDI) increasing proportionately with BBL. The scientists also noted that the bristle appears to mimic a badger’s natural hair growth cycle. “The initial growth period has been shown to be the most productive but growth slows down once it has reached the typical length for the hair if it was still growing on the badger’s body. After more testing we’ve found that because badgers do not hibernate, the bristle on the brush grows longer and thicker in the winter months” said Professor Brag.

Some have questioned the point of such a prototype. Brag goes on to state that “badger hair shaving brushes are still widely used and we believe there is a marketplace for this type of brush -who wouldn’t want a marvel of science sitting on their bathroom shelf that they can use daily? Should this go to full scale production it would in essence be a living shaving brush!”

When asked what maintenance would be needed on such a brush if it ever made it to market, project leader Dr Cam Tin said “…a yearly trim should be sufficient to keep your living badger brush in tip top shape” .

We’ll have more news on this soon..