Well-stocked shaving resource in Seattle?

Hi folks. New to the forums; long-time lurker, first-time poster.

I've recently purchased some basic shaving gear from Kenrup, including a Wapi, strop, soap, and styptic. I'm not a huge scent & smell kind of guy, but I would like to get a whiff or two of various soaps, balms, splashes, and first aid treatments. :D

I've run some searches here on the boards but didn't find any discussions of where to find all things razorly in the Seattle metro area. Does anyone have some suggestions for razor resources that I can explore? While I'm cool with ordering samples from various folks, I've got our limited budget to consider and so I'd like to get within the ballpark before ordering products.

Thank you everyone for the fine reading here on the boards and the great support for folks new to shaving with a straight.

--Mike

Mike,

If you can find something within a few miles of your residence you are pretty lucky. Otherwise, with gas at nearly $4/gallon, you are probably better off buying online and paying the shipping. What scents are you interested in for shave soap/cream, etc.,? Amazon's health and beauty section has a pretty good selection. I have never purchased any of these items on eBay so I have no recommendation there. Even with a limited budget you can do okay most places. The reputable sellers (Classic Shaving, etc.) sell items with scents that are not going to be bad. Hey, with shave soap it is fairly short lived so you won't have to use it forever. A bottle of aftershave lasts me months. Even with aftershave, you probably won't get something you hate. Just try things.:tu

Dan

You can get sample sizes of soaps from various soapmakers. I like Colleen's soaps (Shaving, Bath and Body, Skincare, Home Fragrance, Brushes, Creams, Soaps) and she offers a sampler pack - good stuff.

There is a chance you may be able to find something at the pike street market.(I know there are some people who sell handmade bath soaps there)

Also here is a list from B&B for Seattle shops

Seattle Stuff - Badger & Blade

There are Crabtree & Evelyns everywhere around the Seattle area. They have several soaps and creams. If you are on the East side the Redmond ProClub has a Spa there that sells some Art of Shaving supplies - pricy there but an option.

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Originally Posted by dward

Mike,
If you can find something within a few miles of your residence you are pretty lucky.
Dan

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Dan:

I have yet to thoroughly browse the local Fred Meyer, Walgreens, and Bartell's here in Ballard. There are lots of old Scandinavian types in our neighborhood so you'd think there would be some older shaving stuff around. My admittedly faulty memory doesn't recall seeing anything other than Gillette in a can &tc. I'll give it a go, though. Thank you again for the recommendations!

--Mike

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Originally Posted by gugi

You can get sample sizes of soaps from various soapmakers. I like Colleen's soaps (Shaving, Bath and Body, Skincare, Home Fragrance, Brushes, Creams, Soaps) and she offers a sampler pack - good stuff.

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Gugi:

I've been eyeing (and drooling) over the descriptions of her soaps and creams. She's also a great woman, so I don't mind buying some samples that I may end up giving to someone else. I'll definitely take your advice. Thank you!

--Mike

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Originally Posted by Mr. Tadashi

There is a chance you may be able to find something at the pike street market.(I know there are some people who sell handmade bath soaps there)

Also here is a list from B&B for Seattle shops

Seattle Stuff - Badger & Blade

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Mr. Tadashi:

Both are great recommendations. My wife works downtown so I have a great excuse to visit her for lunch and then go on an expedition to the Market. (I put them in that order so I can buy any goodies and then stash them before she gets back home. :D )

Interestingly, Valentine's is somewhat nearby up in Greenwood. They are definitely worth a visit.

--Mike

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Originally Posted by Iron_Beard

There are Crabtree & Evelyns everywhere around the Seattle area. They have several soaps and creams. If you are on the East side the Redmond ProClub has a Spa there that sells some Art of Shaving supplies - pricy there but an option.

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Mr. Beard (can I call you "Iron"? ;) ):

Sounds like there's a Crabtree & Evelyn in Bellevue Square. It's not terribly close by, but I get to the East Side about every other week. I can swing by, park my old car next to some Hunts Point Lexus, and go shopping. :D

Thank you again for the recommendations!

--Mike

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Originally Posted by miketo

I have yet to thoroughly browse the local Fred Meyer, Walgreens, and Bartell's here in Ballard.

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Mike, I live here in Ballard as well. Fred Meyer is worthless for supplies. Walgreens has Clubman Pinaud as well as Virgin Island Bay Rum aftershave. I like them both. The Ballard Market has Kiss My Face shave cream, Toms of Maine shaving cream, and Thayers witch hazel.

I purchased a badger brush at Crabtree and Evelyn in Lynnwood. I also buy C.O. Bigelow (proraso) shaving cream at Bath and Body Works there.

I have been forced to buy my blades for my DE shaving from online sources.

I hope that this helps. Please let me know if you have found anything good in the area.

Cheers,
Tracy

Tracy:

Howdy, Ballardite! Glad to see another one on the boards.

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Originally Posted by 43moon

Fred Meyer is worthless for supplies. Walgreens has Clubman Pinaud as well as Virgin Island Bay Rum aftershave. I like them both. The Ballard Market has Kiss My Face shave cream, Toms of Maine shaving cream, and Thayers witch hazel.

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I've been aftershave / balm shopping at Fred Meyer (totally worthless) and Walgreens (Market & 15th). I wasn't able to sniff any of the aftershaves as three dour clerks were stocking shelves as slowly as possible and showed no signs of moving. This week I'll try to get to Bartell's over by the library and Ballard Market to see what they offer.

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I have been forced to buy my blades for my DE shaving from online sources.

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I stumbled across RetroRazor (no affiliation) who I think is / used to be in the Seattle area. They might have some good prices for your DE gear.

One of the other responders had a link to some places in Seattle, including Valentine's on Greenwood (no affiliation). It may be expensive so I don't know about going there until it's a Special Occasion(tm), but it could be worthwhile.

Im from Ballard as well, heading to Ballard Market for some Thayers witch Hazel. Blackbird in ballard has a nice selection of higher end soaps aftershaves and other gentlemanly stuff.

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Originally Posted by quantumcloud509

Im from Ballard as well, heading to Ballard Market for some Thayers witch Hazel. Blackbird in ballard has a nice selection of higher end soaps aftershaves and other gentlemanly stuff.

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if this is the same placed I'm thinking of (Im from Vancouver BC) when I was there last they had Omega soap, Cella, Omega brushes, and some awesome men's colognes - I think the line is called Aqua de Parma? ??? some very very nice stuff.

Barry