Ask Aaron Q/A: The Parker 80R vs The Parker 82R

ask aaron 420 Ask Aaron Q/A: The Parker 80R vs The Parker 82R

Aaron answers a question about the differences between the Parker 80R & Parker 82R

David Kennedy, from UK, asks:

“Hi Aaron. I’m interested in purchasing a Parker 80R and just wondered if this has the same head as the 82R which you have previously reviewed? Thanks in advance for your reply.”

Parker 80R Super HeavyWeight Butterfly Open Safety Razor

AARON SAYS

“Mr. Kenedy,

The Parker 80R and 82R are very similar razors. Both heavy weight and with butterfly opening doors to load the blade. Upon doing some research it appears that these razor will have the same “feel” and exposure. The difference is these razors lies in their cosmetic appearance. One razor, the 80R, has a crosshatch knurling (engraving if you will) upon the knob and handle while the 82R has horizontal lines machined into the handle and knob. I think you’ll get the same feel from either razor, so purchase the razor with the most appealing design to you! Thank you for your question!

Happy Shaving!
Aaron”

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

CLICK HERE TO ASK AARON YOUR QUESTION

The world’s top 10 shaving creams

October 11, 2011 · Posted in Product Reviews, Shaving Cream Reviews, Shaving Creams · 7 Comments 

In today’s market of endless possibilities, one can’t help but feel dizzy when having to choose a shaving cream (or any item for that matter).

After all, when it comes to shaving, making a poor choice is more than a waste of one’s money, it also means a poor shaving experience, which as most shavers know could set the tone for the entire day.

Proraso Pre and Post Shave Cream for Ultra Sensitive Skin (100ml)

In order to ease the process of finding the most suitable shaving cream for your needs, I’ve created a list of what I consider to be the top 10 shaving creams available on the market today. Please let me know if you agree or disagree with my selection by posting a comment below.

1. Proraso Shaving Cream Tube

The Proraso brand, which comes from the beautiful city of Florence in Italy, is a piece of Italian history which dates back over 100 years. It is considered to be the oldest industrial cosmetic product in Italy, and its unique recipe has been passed down from generation to generation.

The Proraso Shaving Cream Tube contains key ingredients like eucalyptus, menthol and glycerine; Which in turn gives a refreshing, tingly sensation on the skin that lasts long after the shave is over.

However, don’t let the eucalyptus and menthol put you off, this shaving cream doesn’t smell “mediciny” at all, it actually has a nice subtle scent which kind of reminds one of an old school barbershop.

One of the most amazing things about the Proraso Shaving Cream Tube is that a small drop of shaving cream, about the size of a dime could be used up to lather one’s entire face.

It comes in the form of a tube as a container, which is quite unique, and helps one squeeze out even the last drop. Both these facts enable one tube of Proraso Shaving Cream to last for approximately 4-5 months.

The pricing of the Proraso Shaving Cream Tube, is quite surprising, as it is one of the most affordable Shaving Creams available today, with a price of only £6.09 (150ml). This, combined with the fact that the Proraso Shaving Cream is considered one of the best shaving creams in the world (if not the best), almost gives me a sense of guilt whenever I purchase it.

2. Musgo Real Shaving Cream

The Musgo Brand comes to us from an uncommon country in the field of shaving, the country of Portugal. Far from being a new player in the market, Musgo has been around since 1887.

Musgo Real Shave Cream (110g)

Musgo are considered unequalled in terms of combining lanolin in their shaving products.

Their successful combo of lanolin and glycerin creates a fantastic moisturizing effect which makes it possible to begin the shaving process quicker than almost any other shaving cream in the market without having to settle for the quality of the shave.

Its wonderful fragrance is due to the fact that it contains Patchouli, a herb of the mint family which has been used for centuries in alternative medicine and in perfumes. It is also responsible for the enjoyable cooling down sensation during and after the shave. This, as well as the fact that it contains alcohol could be a downside for those with extremely sensitive skin. However, most individuals with sensitive skin who have tried the Musgo Shaving Cream reported no such issues.

3. Trufitt & Hill 1805 Shaving Cream Bowl

Like the Art of Shaving, the Trufitt & Hill Shaving Cream is glycerin based (which locks and maintains the water and their moisturizing effect). But while the Art of Shaving is relatively a new player (having been founded in 1995), Trufitt & Hill have long stood the test of time having been in operation since 1805, a time when they provided service to all the reigning monarchs of the Victorian Era. They have also recently received a Guiness book world record for being the oldest barber shop still in operation today.

Truefitt & Hill 1805 Shaving Cream Bowl (165g)

The scent of the 1805 Shaving Cream is considered by many to have the best fragrance of all the shaving creams offered today. This is due to the fact that it is infused with their famous 1805 cologne, which has a fantastic oceanic fragrance.

The Trufitt & Hill Shaving Cream is also known among shavers to give an unusually close shave, which is ultimately the goal of most shavers (knowing the products you’re using were also used by King George III is also nice).

4. Castle Forbes Lime Essential Oil Shaving Cream

The Castle Forbes brand hails from the beautiful country of Scotland, and is named after the famous Forbes Castle built in 1815 by the 17th Lord Forbes, which is still being run and used today by his great-great-great grandson Malcolm Forbes. After deciding to help his wife’s passion for perfumery, Malcolm decided to turn the old dairy near the castle into a perfumery. With the help of their friend and perfumer Andy French, they soon thereafter began offering quality perfumes under the Castle Forbes Brand, as well as Shaving Creams, Aftershaves and Soaps .

The box containing the Lime Essential Oil Shaving Cream has by far one of the most beautiful presentations of a shaving cream I’ve ever come across. The jar is pretty small in height, yet very wide which makes it extremely helpful when you load your brush with cream. Inside the jar you’ll find a very thick cream which has a terrific sweet scent of lime that is claimed by many to have the best fragrance out of all the lime scented shaving creams in the market.

The Castle Forbes Lime Essential Oil Shaving Cream contains many ingredients including glycerin, lime essential oil and coconut acid. It also contains aloe vera to help sooth the skin, and ease the shaving process.

In terms of latherability this cream performs incredibly well. It lathers quickly and creates an extremely thick and rich lather with exceptional cushioning.

What I find most impressive about this product, is that it is able to moisturize the skin in a perfect balance by not leaving the skin completely dry nor over moisturized.

In addition to the Lime Essential Oil, Castle Forbes also offers : Lavender and Cedar & Sandalwood Scented Shaving Creams.

5. Geo.F. Trumper Extract of Limes Soft Shaving Cream

It’s almost impossible to make a complete list of high quality shaving creams without mentioning the Geo. F. Trumper brand.

Geo.F. Trumper has been in the industry for more than 135 years, and is considered by many to offer the best shaving creams in the world.

The jar of the Trumper Extract of Limes Soft Shaving Cream comes inside a pink cardboard box which may sound a bit peculiar at first, as most lime scented shaving creams usually come in green colored packages. The pink color was actually chosen as a replacement for the original color during World War I due to a shortage of green color, and became its trademark ever since.

Inside the jar there’s a nice, foamy light green shaving cream which has a fabulous mild fragrance that resembles citrus. The cream lathers very quickly and builds up to a rich and thick lather which provides great cushioning during the shave and also keeps the skin moisturized longer than most shaving creams.

In addition to this magnificent lime scent Geo.F. Tumper offers six more scents: Almond, Coconut Oil, GFT, Rose, Sandalwood and Violet.

6. All Natural Speick Shaving Cream

The Speick brand is named after the unique ingredient that is present in all their products, known as the Alpine Speick, or Alpine Valerian. An ingredient that can only be found in the high alps of South Austria.

After the Speick is harvested, it is then transported to their factory located in Stuttgart Germany.

The speick plant is the source of the fantastic spicy, yet light fragrance present in all their products. It is also known to have a wonderful effect of calming the nervous system and rejuvenating the mind as well as the body.

The All Natural Speick Shaving Cream is a perfect fit for those who suffer from sensitive skin, as it also contains bees wax which has an amazing natural moisturizing effect that gives one the freedom of not having to constantly relather as it stays on the skin even after several passes with the razor.

The All Natural Speick Shaving Cream is an amazingly affordable product, with a price of £2.48 for a tube containing 75ml, perfect for traveling and carrying during flights.

The only noticeable downside of this product, and I’m nit picking here, is its poor packaging, as

it arrives in a generic red box which does not market very well.

It has also received the highest rating from the German consumer “Oko-Test Magazine” which focuses on authentic tests of natural based products.

7. Omega Shaving Cream

The Omega Shaving Cream belongs to the Pennellificio Omega S.p.a. and is being manufactured for them by Proraso. Most shavers argue about the differences between the Proraso Shaving Cream and the Omega as they are strikingly similar. So what are the differences?.

Omega Shaving Cream (147g)

1. The Omega Shaving Cream is considered more subtle than the Proraso, containing less Eucalyptus.

It also contains Lanolin, which the Proraso does not.

What is Lanolin?

Lanolin is a unique ingredient which is made from the wax taken from sheep’s wool, and is done so without harming the sheep during the process.

It is used medically in order to treat rashes and burns and has an incredible moisturizing effect as it binds the water from escaping the body as well as rejuvenates the skin cells.

2. The pricing of the Omega shaving jar is £4.09 as opposed to the Proraso shaving jar which is 5.69. Both are of course amazingly cheap considering they’re quite possibly the best shaving creams in the world.

I prefer, and also rank the Proraso way above the Omega because I find that the Proraso does its job almost perfectly, and is both time tested and the original.

8. The Gentlemens Refinery “The Standard” Shaving Cream

The Gentlemens Refinery brand was founded by Perry Gastis, who has a rich history of working for both The Art of Shaving as a master barber, and an executive barber for Truefitt & Hill in North America. Needless to say he has the credentials.

Dissatisfied with the use of synthetic additives present in most men’s grooming products, Perry Gastis decided to develop his own line of products, with a focus on using the rarest and finest natural ingredients.

The Gentlemens Refinery “The Standard” Shaving Cream arrives in an elegant black box with silver lettering, which gives it a lavish look. When opening the jar there’s a light “soapy” smell of coconut.

The cream contains glycerin and coconut oil, French lavender oil, sandalwood oil, as well as the unique Ylang Ylang Oil. The Ylang Ylang Oil is a natural moisturizer commonly used in anti-aging treatments.

“The Standard” Shaving Cream is also alcohol and paraben free, which allows it to be more forgiving on the skin.

Overall, “The Standard” Shaving Cream performs quite well and creates an excellent lather lubricating your skin throughout and after the shave. However, I see no added value that could justify its price tag of £17.5, which is nearly triple what the Proraso Shaving Cream Tube costs.

9. The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream - Unscented

The Art of Shaving is currently one of the hottest names in the men’s grooming niche.

They specialize in providing Aromatherapy based, alcohol free products.

While they offer a variety of shaving creams with unique scents, the unscented shaving cream is definitely their best product. It is hypoallergenic which is perfect for men who have sensitive skin and suffer from razor burns, ingrown hairs or simply hate the smell of scented shaving creams in general.

The thick formula contains key ingredients like glycerin (which locks the water and sustains their moisturizing effect), coconut oil and essential oils. It is perfect for handling a thick beard due to the thickness of the foam.

A major downside for the Unscented Shaving Cream, as well as most of the products offered by The Art of Shaving is the high prices. The Unscented Shaving Cream costs around £18, and offers a poor value for the money as it does not surpass its more affordable competitors mentioned above.

10. Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream

Located at the well known Jermyn Street in London, the Taylor of Old Bond Street is a veteran in the field of luxury grooming products for men, with an experience of well over 150 years.

Taylor of Old Bond St Shaving Cream (Lemon & Lime 150g)

It is considered an alternative to the somewhat expensive Geo.F. Trumper brand, especially when it comes to their Sandalwood Shaving Creams.

Some of the ingredients of The Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream include : Sandalwood, Cedar, Rosemary, Jasmine, Rose and Lavender.

The latherability of the TOBS Sandalwood Shaving Cream is definitely up to par with the Geo.F. Trumper, some would even say it is slightly better, as it gives one of the most durable lathers of almost all the shaving creams offered today.

There are two main reasons for the TOBS Sandalwood Shaving Cream to be ranked lower than the other shaving creams mentioned in this list.

1. The scent of the TOBS Sandalwood Shaving Cream is way too powerful and intrusive, and even if one enjoys the smell of sandalwood, this specific shaving cream tends to bring a somewhat artificial sandalwood scent.

2. The moisturizing effect of the TOBS after the shaving process does not have as much of a lasting experience as some of the other shaving creams in the list, and tends to leave the skin dry at times.

Still, at the end of the day, if you decide to give The Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream a try, you are most likely going to have a very luxurious and affordable shaving experience.

For the price of £7.95, the Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream is a great bargain, especially compared to the Sandalwood Shaving Cream offered by Geo.F. Trumper for £14.

In case Sandalwood is not your cup of tea then you’ll be glad to know that there are eight more scents for this shaving cream including: Almond, Lavender, Rose, Lemon & Lime, Avocado, Eton College, Mr. Taylor and Shaving Shop.

Additionally, Taylor of Old Bond Street offers two shaving creams which are made especially for men with sensitive skin, both parabens free.

Bluebeards ‘Scimitar’ described as a quality and attractive safety razor

A leading wet shaving expert has described The Bluebeards Revenge “Scimitar” as a quality and attractive safety razor.

Mike Sandoval, from Shaving101.com, said the razor was a “prime example of the brand’s modern and whimsical designs”.

The Bluebeards Revenge 'Scimitar' Double Edge Razor

“Immediately noticeable is the skull and crossbones Bluebeards Revenge logo laser etched onto the top plate of the cutting head. This ups the ‘cool factor’ because it is masculine and unconventional, but presented in an upscale way,” he said.

“Unlike many of the double edge razors on the market that are very utilitarian in appearance with coarse knurling patterned handles, the ‘Scimitar’ features smoother lines and a classy overall appearance.”

The US wet shaving legend then went on to praise the razor’s handle texture, describing it as “evenly spaced horizontal lines that provide a bit of texture to the grip surface, but maintains a smooth feel and gives the razor an attractive appearance”.

Mike went on to explain: “The chrome plating is evenly applied and smooth with no areas of unevenness or imperfections to be found anywhere.

“It is a traditional three-piece razor with an extremely well designed cutting head that fits together with exact tolerances that provides a perfectly even cutting edge exposure on each side when a blade is installed.

“The gap between the cutting edge and safety bar is gauged to provide a mild blade exposure that shaves efficiently, but is comfortable to use and results in fewer nicks and cuts than other more aggressive razors.”

The Shaving Shack sells The Bluebeards Revenge “Scimitar” Double Edge Razor for £34.99.

You can read the full Shaving101 review by clicking here.

Youtube shaving guru Mantic59 tests out the Bluebeards Revenge

Double edge shaving guru Mantic, a veteran of the BadgerAndBlade and ShaveMyFace forums, has been testing the much-hyped Bluebeards Revenge shaving cream.

Mantic's Youtube videos have been seen by more than 4 million people

The American has been shaving with the cream to test whether the product can infact reduce and slow down beard growth with regular use.

So what were his findings? “I started to notice a difference in my beard after about 45 days of continuous use: hair started to get noticeably thinner and shorter,” said Mantic. Read his full review by clicking here.

The Bluebeards Revenge contains a miracle ingredient called Decelerine - which the manufactures Lipotec say can reduce beard growth over time.

According to Lipotec, in tests Decelerine showed a 30% decrease in hair length as well as a 16% reduction in hair density after 60 days.

As well as slowing down beard regrowth, Decelerine also relieves and soothes the effects of shaving (especially skin prone to irritation and dryness) by providing moisturisation and protection to facilitate its regeneration.

Mantic has helped thousands of wet shavers with their technique with his YouTube videos and forum postings.

Check out Mantic’s video review of The Bluebeards Revenge.

For more great videos on the art of traditional wet shaving, visit Mantic’s website http://mantic59.blogspot.com or Youtube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59he much-hyped

Jockeys41, from StraightRazorPlace.com, video reviews Bluebeards Revenge

I have just been reading The Bluebeards Revenge blog and it seems they have been targeting the Youtube shaving community.

HERE IS THEIR LATEST BLOG POST:

“A few weeks ago Youtube sensation Geo Fat Boy proved to the world that The Bluebeards Revenge shaving cream could be used with both a double edge razor and a straight razor.

Now another Youtube shaving celebrity has tested our beard reducing cream with a cutthroat razor and he was not left disappointed.

William Ewin, or Jockeys41 as he likes to be called, put The Bluebeards Revenge through its paces with a very manly looking ‘Perfect Wizard’ 4/8 square point straight razor with barbers notch and stub tail (see video below).

The straight shaving guru had already put together a comprehensive written review of our shaving cream, which you can read by clicking here.

William, 29, from Texas, regularly contributes to the leading Internet shaving forum, StraightRazorPlace.com.

He has now been shaving with an open razor for nearly five years, making him an official bad ass in our book.

Keep up the good work William.

GEO FAT BOY’S BLUEBEARDS REVENGE REVIEW

Bluebeards Revenge video review with straight & safety razor

A leading US wet shaving expert has produced a video review of The Bluebeards Revenge shaving cream, post shave balm and ‘Scimitar’ safety razor.

GeoFatBoy, from Shavenation.com, tested our beard-reducing shaving cream with both the ‘Scimitar’ and the very manly looking Thiers Issard “Spartacus” straight razor.

And according to Geo, the cream provided a “great shave” for both shaving techniques, adding that it smelt good and produces a thick lather. He also praised our post shave balm for its smell and hydrating qualities.

You can watch his full review in the excellent video below.

If you’re interested in the art of wet shaving, Geo’s Youtube channel has a number of great shaving tutorials.

Bluebeards Revenge Post-Shave Balm & Scimitar Razor Reviews

My New Year started off beautifully. I woke up suddenly around 9am, entangled with my loved one, and had the startling and somewhat shocking revelation that I was completely hangover-free. I hopped out of bed, had a cup of coffee and some toast, and set about deciding what my first shave of 2011 should look like.

Nick from The Shaving Shack had recently sent me a box containing the Bluebeards Revenge Scimitar double-edged razor and a tub of the Bluebeards Revenge post-shave balm. This, then, was the way to go. I knew a review needed to be written, a beard needed to be shaved, and… Well, it was time to get moving.

The Bluebeards Revenge 'Scimitar' Double Edge Razor - Image by Shaving101.com

My initial impression of the razor was that it was similar in nature to most other higher-end modern razors (see Merkur as a fine example). It displays the Jolly Rodger skull-and-crossbones proudly on the top piece, echoing the “Bluebeard” pirate theme that runs throughout their product line. The fit and finish were absolutely perfect, and the heft and balance of the razor definitely felt great. Perhaps my only complaint - out of the box - was that the grip was a touch slick.

After a hot shower, I popped a fresh Japanese Feather blade in, lathered up with Truefitt & Hill’s Lavender cream (which has quickly become my standard go-to luxury shave cream) and set to work. The razor was just slightly more aggressive in feel than my trusty vintage Gillette Superspeed. I’d put it close to setting 4 or 5 on the Gillette Fatboy adjustable, though very smooth and forgiving at the same time. It made short work of my beard and left me feeling quite happy with the results in 3 standard passes.

I finished up with a thorough rinse and a shot of witch hazel, and then opened up the tub of balm. The consistency was quite thick, so I popped a finger in, grabbed a dollop, and rubbed it in quickly. The first thing I noticed about the balm was that it burned as though it was an aftershave splash, which of course screams “alcohol!” to me. I’m not normally a huge fan of alcohol in my balms - if I want it, I’ll use a splash. In this case, however, it works. I was a little surprised, to be honest, just how WELL it worked. The balm absorbed into the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and moisturized without even a hint of oil or shine. The scent of the balm was pleasant as well, a nice classic barbershop style, though it lingers much too long for my taste.

corsair sm Bluebeards Revenge Post Shave Balm & Scimitar Razor Reviews

The Bluebeards Revenge offers a complete shaving range - Image by Shaving101.com

I continued to use the two items every day until this morning, and the only change in my technique has been a switch to Art of Shaving’s excellent lemon shave cream. The razor has completely knocked every other double-edge out of rotation. My Superspeed, Fat Boy, the uber-1970′s Krona, even my Merkur slant - they’re all sitting unused in my medicine cabinet. I’ve not touched the other shave balms I’ve accumulated over the last few years at all lately, and even with daily use for over a month I’m still not even 1/4 of my way through the tub of aftershave balm.

My only suggestion for a change is that Bluebeard should release a completely unscented version of the shave balm. Otherwise, I’m extremely impressed with both products and would heavily recommend them to anyone entering the wetshaving world.

Shaving101′s Mike Sandoval reviews Bluebeards Revenge Post Shave Balm

American wet shaving legend Mike Sandoval has described The Bluebeards Revenge post shave balm as “smooth and creamy”.

The guru, who has previously described The Bluebeards Revenge shaving cream as one of the best he has ever tried, is also a massive fan of the Bluebeards beard reducing balm.

Specially formulated with Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera to nourish the skin after shaving, the balm contains Decelerine, which is made from a mixture of active ingredients that delay hair growth, reducing the frequency of shaving and depilation and at the same time providing a recovering effect on the skin.

bluebeardsrevengebalm Shaving101s Mike Sandoval reviews Bluebeards Revenge Post Shave Balm

The Bluebeards Revenge Post Shave Balm

”The balm itself is a bit different from most other traditional aftershave balms that wet shavers are familiar with using,” said Mike, who runs the awesome shaving blog Shaving101.com.

“The consistency of the balm is more like a smooth cream rather than a runny lotion or liquid gel that is commonly seen from other manufacturers. While most aftershave balms pour from the bottle or have a pump dispenser, this one is dense enough that you can simply scoop your desired amount of product for application using your fingers.”

Mike then went on to praise the soothing qualities of the post shave balm.

“The smooth and creamy texture of the product allows it to spread and absorb into the skin very easily and instantly soothes any irritation leaving the skin feeling cooled and refreshed.

corsair sm Shaving101s Mike Sandoval reviews Bluebeards Revenge Post Shave Balm

Mike has now reviewed the Bluebeards cream, balm and badger brush - Photo by Mike Sandoval

”Despite the creamier texture of the balm, it does not leave the skin feeling greasy at all. After the balm dries down, the skin feels perfectly moisturized and ready to face the day.”

Mike concluded his review of the post shave balm by saying: “The smooth and creamy texture of this aftershave balm makes it a welcome addition to a market flooded with runny and greasy balms that clog pores and leave the skin feeling oily. A little of this balm goes a long way and 100 ml / 3.4 oz jar will easily last two or more months of daily use.”

You can read the full Shaving101 review by clicking here. And we highly recommend looking around this website as it offers some really good articles on the art of wet shaving.

Mike also reviewed our ‘Corsair’ Super Badger Shaving Brush last month.

Bluebeards Revenge ‘Corsair’ badger shaving brush described as ‘outstanding’

American wet shaving legend Mike Sandoval has described The Bluebeards Revenge ‘Corsair’ Super Badger Shaving Brush as having “an outstanding density and lathering capability packed into a comfortable size format that will appeal to a wide range of wet shavers”.

Based on a traditional best-selling handle shape, the Corsair shaving brush is an upgraded model manufactured by Progress Vulfix specifically for The Bluebeards Revenge.

A luxurious brush densely packed with super badger hair!

The lathe turned handle was previously marketed under the name “Buccaneer” and filled with a good quality pure badger hair, making it an affordable luxury.

But the Corsair is knotted with super badger grade hair that Vulfix is well known for using in some of their finest shaving brushes. In addition to the upgraded hair type, the brush is also loaded with around 20 per cent more hair to create a knot that has a stiffer feeling and more density for water retention and lathering capability.

Mike, who runs leading shaving blog Shaving101.com, started off his review by saying: “Vulfix brushes are softer than and not as stiff as other brands, such as Simpsons. They are well made and are well known for their quality and durability, and the Corsair is not an exception to these standards.

”The Corsair is not a firm brush but rather a soft and luxurious brush with a full density that gently massages the face and easily releases the lather on to the skin where you need it rather than holding it in the brush’s core like some overly stiff brushes tend to do,” Mike Sandoval, Shaving101.com

“Unlike the standard Vulfix models, the added badger hair gives it denser feel that is immediately noticeable upon first inspection. The loft of the brush is perfectly uniform in colouring with an attractive three-band colour pattern and a nice shape that is symmetrical and not overly bulbous.

”The handle of the brush is made of a quality faux ivory material and is polished to a nice shine and stamped with the Bluebeards Revenge logo in blue.”

The Corsair is knotted with super badger grade hair

Mike, considered a legend in the wonderful world of wet shaving, tested the Corsair on both shaving creams and hard shaving soaps and said he “found it to be useful for almost any product”.

“When submerged in water, the brush absorbs an impressive amount of water and infuses it effortlessly with any quality shaving cream to create a rich and voluminous lather,” he explained.

“Despite the softer characteristics of the fine super badger hair, the Corsair easily loads with shaving soaps and is great at producing quality lather directly on the face. The tips of the badger hair feel soft on the skin and combine well with the added backbone of the brush to create an ideal balance of density and comfort, which is heavily favoured by many experienced wet shavers.

”The Corsair is not a firm brush but rather a soft and luxurious brush with a full density that gently massages the face and easily releases the lather on to the skin where you need it rather than holding it in the brush’s core like some overly stiff brushes tend to do.”

Mike concluded his review by describing the Corsair as a “well made piece”, adding it is “filled with quality super badger hair”.

You can read the full review by clicking here.

The world’s best shaving creams

Three of our luxurious shaving creams have been named as some of the very best on the market.

Dave Alexander, editor of the men’s grooming section on About.com, recently published an article, titled ‘My Picks for the Best Shaving Creams’.

The Bluebeards Revenge, which can reduce beard growth by up to 40 per cent, has been named the world's best shaving cream brand

The Bluebeards Revenge, which can reduce beard growth by up to 40%, topped this coveted list.

“Could there be anything better than the classics like Truefitt & Hill and Geo. F. Trumpers? When it comes to shaving cream, the British really know their stuff - I use the traditional shave lathers almost exclusively in my morning ritual and The Bluebeards Revenge is now one of my ‘must-haves’,” said Dave.

“This product takes the traditional shaving cream and throws in a little science for an outstanding shave.”

Taylor of Old Bond Street Mr. Taylor's shaving cream took 3rd place

Taylor of Old Bond Street Mr. Taylor’s shaving cream brand took third place, while Truefitt and Hill 1805 finished in a respectable seventh.

”Since 1854, Taylor of Old Bond Street has been churning out some of the best men’s shaving products in the world and this product is no exception,” said Dave.

”The rich lather and excellent lubrication will give you one of the best shaves you’ve had. The fragrance of this one is amazing, too, with notes of lavender, bergamont, and geranium - it’s rich and leathery. Good stuff!”

The American men’s grooming expert was also full of praise for the Truefitt and Hill 1805 shaving cream.

He said: “Truefitt & Hill has been in the barbering business for over 200 years, so you can imagine they know a thing or two about shaving. In fact, they’ve been operating a barbershop on St. James Street in London since 1805.

Truefitt & Hill 1805 is one of Dave's favourite shaving creams

”Their 1805 Shaving Cream creates a rich, luxurious lather and has plenty of great lubrication for a close, smooth shave. While their most popular 1805 Shaving Cream has a very clean, fresh fragrance, their Lavender Shaving Cream is one of my personal favourites with it’s rich, earthy fragrance. This product works well with or without a shaving brush.”

You can read his full article by clicking here.

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