I have blogged in the past about the frustrations of spending money on cartridge razors. Those are the ones that use Tiger Woods and Thierry Henry as pitchmen, run TV ads that imply they're as hard to manufacture as jet fighters and minutely change their design regularly in order to get extra pounds out of you and leave you with a bathroom cupboard full of obsolete blades. On the advice of a friend (this sounds like an advert already) I sent off for a Merkur razor and a bunch of blades of the kind my father used to use. I've had it a few weeks now and, well, it works. I wouldn't claim it shaves closer (that probably takes a lot of practice) but the warm feeling I get out of knowing that I'm not helping fund some stupid advertorial in GQ featuring John Terry gives me no end of satisfaction.
And what a classically, beautifully designed object it looks, too. Like toothbrushes, razors now seem to be designed to look like spacecraft, or missiles, or blobby futuristic weapons. I would rather suffer a rough shave and have an object like this in my bathroom and in my hand than something out of a sci-fi movie.
ReplyDeleteI trust you also bought a badger hair brush and the George F Trumper soap dish? Luxury.
ReplyDeleteThe Woods/Federer/Henry ad always cracks me up. It's obvious that they have been filmed individually - they're probably not even filmed in the same continent. I also doubt Woods would know who Thierry Henry was.
I'll echo billyous and hope that you've also boycotted the icky Gillette foam/gel offerings, and treated yourself to something suitably sumptuous from Trumper's.
ReplyDeleteFloris, actually. From John Lewis. Hey, let's get some *grooming* advertising!
ReplyDeleteWow, does John Terry really promote a particular brand, I didn't realise - I must find out which one and get some in.
ReplyDelete'Let's get some grooming advertising' OK - Neal's Yard shaving soap is terrific. Oh, and the last time I bought a shaving brush I did look in the posh chemists by Covent Garden tube, but they had the laughable idea that I might want to spend £35 for one. I bought one from Wilkinsons for 35p instead, and it's still going strong 6 years later. I must admit to using cartridge razors though, because I prefer my skin on my chin rather than in the sink.
ReplyDelete@ Ken
ReplyDelete"I must admit to using cartridge razors though, because I prefer my skin on my chin rather than in the sink."
The pre-Gillette generations mastered the double-edged blade pretty well, as I have done without too steep a learning curve. Consider it akin to removing the stabilisers from one's bike.
In fact I bought the exact razor in the picture after your previous post. It came with a starter-kit of blades that I appear to be only halfway through and will last me a year at this rate. When I travel I use a Gillette, though, which means on returning I have to be extra careful. The Merkur may be called a safety razor but that's only in comparison with a cut-throat. The other day, slightly hungover and in a hurry, I managed to nick my nose (don't ask) and the shower cubicle swiftly resembled the scene from Psycho. All worth it though not to have to pick my jaw up off the ground on seeing the price of a five-pack of Titanium Quadrophonic blades from Gillette.
ReplyDeleteSo is it worth it or not? Sounds dangerous to me ,and for my money the Gillette Mach 3 is brilliant. Superb in fact.
ReplyDeleteSecond Neal's Yard shaving soap. Been using it for years with a brush and safety razor. Lovely stuff.
ReplyDeleteStrange synchronicity - I decided a year ago to give up expensive Wilkinson Sword etc blade razors and switch to a 1.99 double edged old-fashioned razor, soap stick and brush.
ReplyDeleteThe very same week I got stopped by customer relations people in Kingston (clearly their target market) and asked to judge the previews of those Thierry Henry/Federer ads. Took about 40mins and my comments were scathing. Didn't stop them, obviously.
Whole thing's a ridiculous con, like printer catridges.
Funny article but very true indeed! As for me, I use DE safety razors. You may want to visit my blog to check out how to get the closest shave possible, or you may always contact me. I would be very glad to assist you. ;)
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