Ask Aaron Q/A: The best ways to maintain a goatee
Aaron answers a question about the best ways to maintain a goatee
Graham Hope, from the UK, asks:
“I have a goatie beard and find it difficult with a normal gillette style razor to keep the shape and remove the small amount of beard from the inside of the beard. Apart from going to my barbers every other week to keep it how he cut it and I like it, what can you recommend?”
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Hope,
Maintaining facial hair can be tough! Thanks for your question! It sounds as if you are using a cartridge or cassette type razor. I would try stretching your skin in different ways to see if that could help. If not, I recommend picking up a shavette such as a Parker or Bluebeards Revenge shavette this would be a great way to maintain your goatee.
Smooth shaving!
Aaron”
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The great cartridge razor rip off - Change your shaving habits now & save a fortune
In January 2011, I blogged about why a double edge razor is technically better than a cartridge based razor system. Now there is yet another reason for men to ditch the horrid multi-bladed cartridge razor in favour of the single bladed razor.
According to an article on the Daily Mail website, the price of razor blade ‘cartridges’ has jumped by as much as 99% over the last three years.
“Replacement cartridges for Gillette’s Fusion ProGlide can be as much as £3.49 each,” the newspaper said.
It went on to say that blades for Gillette’s top-of-the-range Fusion ProGlide cost less than 10p to manufacturer, which in my book is a fairly decent profit margin.
The paper also blames Gillette, the world’s largest shaving company by quite a distance, for imposing a stealth price rise by cutting the number of replacement cartridges in its Mach3 Turbo packs from five to four.
“The smaller pack did not bring a corresponding cut in the price, leaving men paying at least 20 per cent more,” the article says.
It went on to blame the increasing cost of cartridge blades for men’s poor shaving habits.
“At the same time, men worried about making ends meet are either trying to make their razor blades last longer, with the resulting scrapes and cuts – or ditching their shaving regime and opting for designer stubble.”
A better quality shave with a long term saving
This all makes me rather angry as there is an easy solution – change your shaving habits and ditch the overpriced cartridge razor. Opt instead for a double edge safety razor and if you’re feeling really adventurous, a straight or cut throat razor (as its more commonly referred to).
Not only will both types of razor give you a better quality of shave, they are also much cheaper in the long run, as a number of the comments on the Daily Mail article point out.
“I switched from cartridge razors to a straight razor and have never looked back. True your initial investment is a little higher but the payback on these cartridge blades is 6 months or so. Have not had to buy a single razor blade in 18 months now,” commented Derrick Young, Wasaga Beach, Ontario.
Roy, from York, also pointed out the massive cost savings men could experience from switching to a DE razor: “I have used an old fashioned Double Edge safety razor for years and blades for that can cost as little as 10p. As they are cheap you can afford to change them regularly and get a good shave. With multi bladed cartridges because of the price people carry on using them when they are going blunt. With DE razors, OK the razor is more expensive but it lasts for many years, but one sharp blade every couple of shaves is better than a dull multi blade being stretched out over a week. People have had good shaves with single blades for centuries. Multi blades are a marketing gimmick.”
Roy’s last sentence is a very accurate one, “Multi blades are a marketing gimmick”. Let’s face it Gillette are excellent at marketing their products, they have pretty much convinced men that 3 blades are better than 1 and 5 blades are better than 3. They also spend millions of pounds on celebrity endorsements, with sports stars like Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and Thierry Henry (who now wears a beard) fronting lavish TV and newspaper campaigns.
It was Gillete who first worked out that men would indeed fork out for overpriced cartridges as long as the initial cost, i.e. the handle, was affordable. It’s pretty much the same business model adopted by ink jet printer companies. Sell a cheap printer, then sell really expensive “cartridges” that run out quickly. It’s simple, but very effective.
Dollar Shave Club
It will be interesting to see how successful the much-hyped Dollar Shave Club will turn out to be. Dollar Shave Club’s business model is similar to LoveFilm, which sends subscribers movies in the post for a small monthly fee. Dollar Shave Club will send customers a monthly supply of disposable razor blades starting at $1 a month (however, when you add in delivery costs it’s more like the 4-Dollar Shave Club). A catchy brand name and I must say a pretty cool launch commercial, which has picked up nearly 5 million views on YouTube. And according to widespread media reports, more than 12,000 people have signed up for the service.
There is no question that the Dollar Shave Club YouTube video is hilarious. But aside from the online hype, can the Dollar Shave Club compete against the likes of Gillette in the long term? I’m guessing not…
Looking ahead, I really hope men will start to see through all this cleaver marketing and take a stand against the rising cost of cartridges. For those switching to the affordable yet luxurious world of double edged shaving, all I can do is welcome you to the real men’s club. And I will finish this article by saying; shaving should be regarded as a pleasure, not a chore.
Happy shaving.
Ask Aaron Q/A: Would you recommend the Muhle R89 Grande?
Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Double Edge Shaving, Safety Razors | Comments (0)
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?”
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?
Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Double Edge Shaving, Safety Razors | Comments (0)
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.”
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”
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Bluebeards ‘Scimitar’ crowned world’s best razor by About.com readers
Posted in Product News, Shaving in the News, Shaving Shack News | Comments (0)
The Bluebeards Revenge 'Scimitar' Double Edge Razor
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.
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.
The 'Scimitar' is laser etched with The Bluebeards Revenge logo
“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.
The Readers' Choice Awards honour the world’s best products
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!
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..
Ask Aaron Q/A: Redness & rash around goatee after shaving
Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Razor burn, rash & bumps, Shaving Tips | Comments (0)
Aaron is asked to provide tips on how to reduce shaving rash around the goatee area after shaving
David Prest, from UK, asks:
“I have a goatee and when I shape it with my razor I end up with red areas and small red spots around the edges of the beard. I try to be very gentle with my razor (single blade) but still get the red areas and small red spots. What advice would you give me? Many thanks. David”
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Prest,
I too have a goatee, and feel your concern over keeping it nicely shaped and having healthy skin around it. I would recommend making sure you are shaving with shaving cream applied, don’t shave without the lubrication it provides! Also you might want to look into using a shaving oil instead of the lather to be able to see more clearly and still have lubrication.
Also make sure you are properly preparing your beard area to shave, and properly restoring your skin with a good aftershave balm. Following these techniques will help improve your shave and your skin.
If you continue to have redness & bumps please write again and we will troubleshoot some more!
Cheers,
Aaron”
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Ask Aaron Q/A: How to select the right double edge razor blade
Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Double Edge Shaving, Safety Razors | Comments (0)
Aaron is asked to recommend a double edge razor blade
John Marsburg, from UK, asks:
“What’s the quickest way to find a double edge razor blade that seems right for me? I’m a newbie and would like to settle on one fairly quickly. Any suggestions welcome. Reverend John.”
AARON SAYS
“Reverend John,
The quickest and easiest way to find the right blade for you is to purchase sample packs of blades. These samples packs usually include one box of 5 blades of several different brands to give you a good idea of what works best for your beard and skin type. I would recommend you start there. Also, try purchasing single packs of different brands and blade types if there are not samplers available.
Happy Shaving!
Aaron”
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Ask Aaron Q/A: Switching to a double edge safety razor
Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Double Edge Shaving, Safety Razors | Comments (0)
Aaron is asked to recommend a double edge razor for someone who suffers from thick hair growth
James Walthall, from UK, asks:
“I want to migrate away from a Mach 3 to a DE razor but I’m unsure as to what brand to choose and whether to go for an open comb or closed comb razor. I have thick hair growth and suffer with irritation at the collar line on a daily basis. I use a silver tip Edwin Jagger brush with Edwin Jagger aloe vera shave soap. Any advice regarding the type of razor to choose and how to avoid the collar line irritation would be most welcome. Many thanks, James.”
AARON SAYS
“Mr Walthall,
I’m glad to hear you want to make the switch over to a safety razor! Since you are already using other Edwin Jagger products the DE89, DE86, or DE87 are all good razors to look at. The Merkur 34C and the Bluebeards Scimitar are also worthy razors for consideration.
As for the irritation around your collar there are several things your can try: shave only with the grain and across the grain in that area; use a good moisturizing balm as an aftershave not an alcohol based splash; make sure you are wearing the proper collar size and not one that is too tight; and use a light exfoliating scrub to help reveal and open the ingrown hairs.
Also, if you can try not shaving for a few days to help your skin heal and the ingrown hairs time to find their way to the surface. These tips should help you find some relief, and a good starting De to shave with!
Happy Shaving,
Aaron”
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Ask Aaron Q/A: Switching from a cartridge razor to a safety razor
Posted in Ask Aaron Q & A, Double Edge Shaving, The Bluebeards Revenge | Comments (0)
Aaron answers a question about switching from a cartridge razor to a double edge razor
Shaun Lancaster, from UK, asks:
“Hi Aaron! Its about time I switched from a cartridge razor, and started shaving properly, and stopped throwing away cash! What would you recommend for a ‘newbie’ with a steady hand? Maybe something solid, but not breaking the bank? I do have some minimal scar tissue under my chin, so I’m slightly wary of catching it with a DE razor. Is there a starter pack c/w shave stick or some soap you would recommend? Many thanks. Shaun.”
AARON SAYS
“Hello Shaun!
We’re very happy to hear you want to join the ranks of wet-shavers around the globe! There are many great products out there to choose from, but for a beginners set I do have a couple of recommendations. The first is the Bluebeard’s Revenge cream & Doubloon brush set. This set gives you a great starter brush and cream to shave with, and allows you to choose your razor. If you’d rather get the whole kit in one shot and not worry about choosing a razor, I would recommend the Bluebeard’s Revenge Gift set, which include their Scimitar razor. This would provide all the basics you need to get you started on your journey. Whatever you decide, enjoy and welcome to smooth shaving!
Cheers,
Aaron”
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