My lunch break

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11-02-2017, 05:43 PM
markbignosekelly

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My lunch break

Gents

Ive been working at St Thomas' Evelina kids hospital these past few weeks which is just around the corner from St James's Street London. Home to Truffit & Hill est 1805. The oldest barber shop in the world. https://www.truefittandhill.co.uk
Whilst enjoying my lunch break I thought it would be rude not to have a little gander.
It truly was a feast for the eyes, like Charlie Bucket going through the gates of Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory.
Armed with a little money from my wife for my birthday a few weeks ago I decided on some Apsley shaving cream that I have been dying to try out.
The lady who served me was very polite and answerd all my questions. She gave me a lovely gift bag and put a sample cologne in there, she even sprayed the tissue paper with Apsley. Now that's class!

Please excuse my crappy phone pics

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Through the back of the shop they have the barber service, from a simple haircut to a luxury grooming experience and of course the cut throat shave, all done with old world class. Since Ive been a good boy this year I am going to indulge in a shave around Christmas time.
Cant wait!

Mark
11-02-2017, 05:47 PM
BobH

Now That is what I call a lunch break, bit of jealousy there.

Bob
11-02-2017, 05:55 PM
Speedster

I also share (ha, typed ‘shave’ first by mistake!) BobH’s jealousy / envy / etc. with your Trufitt & Hill adventure, Mark! :)
11-02-2017, 05:55 PM
markbignosekelly

1 Attachment(s)

Beautifully presented

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Just used and paired up with my Simpsons Duke 3 and Wotsenholme, what a wonderful shave.
11-02-2017, 06:42 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Beautifully presented

Classy touch that. I always appreciate when they kiss me before they screw, I mean sell, me something. ;) Just had to be a smart azz.

Bob
11-02-2017, 06:42 PM
Leatherstockiings

Very nice! One of my dreams is to check out St. James and Jermyn Streets.

How would you describe the Apsley scent? Is it a winner?
11-02-2017, 06:52 PM
constant

what about trumpers round the corner i sometimes have a look on one of me cycle roots to work are they still allowed to use straights on people i got some of their sandalwood cologne on the way
11-02-2017, 07:25 PM
markbignosekelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

Classy touch that. I always appreciate when they kiss me before they screw, I mean sell, me something. ;) Just had to be a smart azz.

Bob

To my amazement it was the same price if not cheaper than some of the online shops I use. :)
11-02-2017, 07:27 PM
Butzy

it makes me very happy just to know this place exists
11-02-2017, 07:40 PM
BobH

Quote:

Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

To my amazement it was the same price of not cheaper than some of the online shops I use. :)

Wow, that really is first class.

Bob
11-02-2017, 07:41 PM
markbignosekelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Very nice! One of my dreams is to check out St. James and Jermyn Streets.

How would you describe the Apsley scent? Is it a winner?

Cheers, yes St James and Jermyn St are wonderful places to visit, the architecture, tailors and of course old world shaving shops are second to none.

The scent is a winner to me, vertievr, patchouli and musk. Its a complex scent right up there with Penhaligons and Floris.
11-02-2017, 07:47 PM
markbignosekelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by constant

what about trumpers round the corner i sometimes have a look on one of me cycle roots to work are they still allowed to use straights on people i got some of their sandalwood cologne on the way

Trumpers is also a fine place, I would have gone there but I already went over my lunch time- dont tell the boss!
They cant use straights but can use shavettes, I might tap them up to letting them use one of mine.
11-02-2017, 09:41 PM
Hirlau

Thank you for taking me to a place that I will probably never get to see .
11-02-2017, 11:21 PM
petercp4e

Wow Mark,
Talk about shaving nirvana! I don't think it would be possible for me to walk out the door with just one item though. It would almost be like being a kid in a candy store.

Thanks for sharing

Pete <:-}.
11-03-2017, 06:44 AM
markbignosekelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Thank you for taking me to a place that I will probably never get to see .

Thanks John, im lucky to work near there:)my town has just got fast food , betting, charity and hairdressing shops:(
11-03-2017, 06:54 AM
markbignosekelly

Quote:

Originally Posted by petercp4e

Wow Mark,
Talk about shaving nirvana! I don't think it would be possible for me to walk out the door with just one item though. It would almost be like being a kid in a candy store.

Thanks for sharing

Pete <:-}.

Cheers Pete, I was very tempted by a new brush. I was going to ask if I could buy the giant brush in the shop window but new they would never sell it.
11-03-2017, 07:48 AM
Porl

You won't go far wrong with Trufitt & Hill back when I was DE shaving they were my go to cream. I still use their after shave balm and colognes. When I want to indulge myself I get another one of their creams. I generally use hard soaps now, and for some reason I could never get their soaps to perform.

I don't get to London very often, but there is a store in Leeds called The Traditional Shaving Company and they stock T & H so I can still get my fix when I want to.

I know you are going to enjoy this and I look forward to hearing about your experience when you go for the shave too.
11-03-2017, 10:09 AM
athiker

I could spend some serious money in there ! Have to let us know your Shave experience, Mark.
11-18-2017, 07:48 PM
engine46

Thanks for the Info Mark. Should I ever come across the pond, I will make it a point to go there because I always wanted to see London among other places.
11-18-2017, 07:56 PM
markbignosekelly

Cheers Steve, if you ever come across the pond I'll happily take you for a few beers and show you the city.
12-01-2017, 01:50 PM
alexalex

Top norch I'd say
12-22-2017, 10:01 PM
markbignosekelly

Today I revisited T&H for my Christmas shave, and what a shave it was!

I was seated in a comfy Chester chair for five minutes whilst I waited for my barber Jason. I soaked up the ambiance of dark wood panelling and signed Photos of Sir Winston Churchill and Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Interestingly T&H have held a number of Royal Warrants from King George III to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Esteemed clientele include Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Alfred Hitchcock, Laurence Olivier, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire.
I was seated in a barber chair and asked some simple questions about my shaving routine. I mentioned using a straight and Jason seemed quite impressed. We then started the pampering. Using T&H pre shave first a scented hot towel was then applied for five minutes. Next T&H Ultimate Shave cream was used with one of their shave brushes and the shave started. A shavette was used with a Personna blade for a multi directional pass. My barber said I had a thick, course beard and to be careful with multiple passes, this is true to my personal experience. After the shave was complete another hot towel was used, then alum, cold towel and balm, a cool hairdryer was then used to 'seal in the balm' Finally I was asked if I would like some cologne. 1805 seemed fitting.

My experience completed I felt like a new man. I'd thoroughly recommend a visit for some self indulgence if your in the neighborhood as the service is excellent. Will the end finish be any better than what you can achieve yourself? Well no, not really. Fit for a King? Absolutely!