Shops of Old London Town

More like large London sprawling metropolis for a highland laddie like me!
Thought I would share a couple of pics and thoughts re shave shops in London - producing some of the stuff that will be used around the world by members here.
Just back from a few days in the big smoke (no offence to Mark 'Majurey' but I prefer my quieter neck of the woods - good to do very occasionally though) a few pounds lighter from food poisoning and many pounds lighter from exorbitant prices. They charge like the Gordon Highlanders down there!
Anyway - a quick run down and some pics of the famous name stores. I should add that I did feel strange taking some of these shots and even the shopkeepers thought me a geek when I asked for inside shots! My wife very kindly did not take the piss - although I can't understand why. What was she doing in that shoe shop...

First off Trumpers(shot with pink roses in window). Couldn't take a shot inside as the Uriah Heep styled assistant said it was against company policy. I know he made that up - he just thought this strange as nobody ever requests this. Obviously I was casing the joint for the shaving cream heist of the century! I did watch as a few elderly gents were wheeled in an out and stripped of their facial hair by some young disposable wielders. They only use disposables - even if you bring your own razor it's still the disposable. Bought some Trumpers coconut and shuffled off feeling less than good about the place.

Next Truefit and Hill (outside sign and wife inside feigning interest) - the oldest shaving establishment around. Couldn't be nicer - let me photograph inside and even showed me a couple of his own straight razors from behind the counter. Had a good chat and although they use disposables they are happy to shave with your own razor - so top marks for that! Knowledge of razors at all establishments seemed less than I had imagined it would be but obviously the knowledge of how to use them and the associated cosmetics was pretty high. They don't need to worry about honing and stropping etc if they are using the blade once.

Taylors - Thought I would get this angle from across the street showing Beau Brummell - the dandy who polished his boots with champagne. Each of these shops had a definite pucker feel to them and doubtless this did not help me as I wandered in with my goretex mountain gear and small rucksack. Didn't even ask this guy if I could take a photo inside - I just got that feeling...He was okay though and told me that they train around 6 people a week to shave with a straight. Maybe SRP should ask them to pass details on to trainees - for their own good of course.

By the time I reached Dr Harris I was even getting disinterested - just not enough to excite any RAD - plenty SAD though but that doesn't grab me so much. So then we decided to go and watch Scotland thump England at rugby in a pub whilst quaffing some ale. Didn't shout about it though:y as the last time I talked football in an English pub glasses started to smash off the walls and we got let out the back door :w


Anyway - just thought I would put some faces to some names, so to speak. They all stocked mostly their own brand items - strops, brushes and cosmetics but they also had Dovo razors - never saw any TI. If you ever do the trip go to T&H for your shave and bring your own razor.

cheers
Stephen

That's pretty neat stuff! Thanks for the pics!

Very cool!!!!!

Very nice John. I did the rounds of these places about a year ago while we were over there - I bought a Dovo B-L from Trumpers and the guy I talked to there seemed really nice, much nicer than the Taylors people. I guess it depends who you get on the day.

James.

PS Try talking Rugby (at least a few years ago) when you're an Aussie in an English pub!

awesome photos!! I'm gonna have to hit those shops up the next time I go to London.

very nice. i think i just need the boots and the champagne now :)
it seems you didn't get a straight shave, just asked what they do.

I decided not to go for it as I felt that the disposable experience was not worth the $70. However, in reflection, if I had taken a razor into the city on that day I would have given T&H a try. A lot of women give this as an unusual gift for their partners, I was told. I did get the feeling, particularly at Trumpers, that some people were driven in on a daily basis for exfoliation - perhaps unable to safely carry the task out themselves for whatever reason. There will also be a small daily clientelle that do this as a routine because they can - time and money. It's a while since I have been nearly knocked down twice - once by a Ferrari and the other by an Aston Martin! Each shop had assistants in waistcoats and clients in pinstripe suits - a lot of old money. All very interesting.

Thanks for the photos, John!

Did anyone else notice the freakishly huge brush at Taylor's?

You seemed to have lasted longer in London than I did ..........
I managed approx no more than 4.5hrs before I jumped on the train and headed back to the safer pastures of home

:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bjrn

Thanks for the photos, John!

Did anyone else notice the freakishly huge brush at Taylor's?

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I think thats for shaving the statue out the front. :roflmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Makar

Just back from a few days in the big smoke (no offence to Mark 'Majurey' but I prefer my quieter neck of the woods - good to do very occasionally though) a few pounds lighter from food poisoning and many pounds lighter from exorbitant prices. They charge like the Gordon Highlanders down there!

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Ha ha! No offence taken Stephen. It is definitely an overpriced, over-busy, and overhyped place. But places like St James Street are wonderful. It's a different world. Ober two hundred yards you have the Ritz, Caviar House, DR Harris, T&H and many other old establishments. In fact, I always wondered where DR Harris got the name for their Arlington range. Well, a few months ago I was in the area and noticed that the old street parallel to St James was called Arlington Street. So there you go, hundreds of years old but still used for today's scent.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Makar

A lot of women give this as an unusual gift for their partners, I was told.

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This is turning out to be a 'usual' gift from my wife every Valentines. Inside my Valentine's card this year was a gift voucher for a Gentleman's Shave at T&H. Believe it or not, loads of women buy this for their partners. Kind of like a day at the Spa, but male version I guess.

Glad to see you had a good time. And your good wife must have the patience of a saint to be draged around old London town to shave dens!

Cheers
M.

Apologies Stephen - for some reason I thought you were John. Sorry :thinking: :shrug:

James.

PS Has the 'edit post' function been disabled for older posts, or is it just me??

The quote I had at the bottom from John Muir was causing problems for more folk than you - I have taken his name away now. You were not alone!
cheers
Stephen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Apologies Stephen - for some reason I thought you were John. Sorry :thinking: :shrug:

James.

PS Has the 'edit post' function been disabled for older posts, or is it just me??

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If the value of the dollar ever comes back.....Grrr.

After a few hours in that area I would hate to see my credit
card statement :tu .

John

Great pics Stephen! I really like the descriptions.

My g/f actually just got back from London last night and she very timidly ventured into these stores for me. She said it was really overwhelming, but she thought the stores were neat. She told the salesman that I was a "shave dork," and apparently he appreciated that and warmed up to her quickly. She also got me some bars of TOBS body soap, which smell heavenly.

Great description Stephen.

There are a few points to add.

First and most importantly, the beer is cheaper than the shaving soap.

Second, you are unlikely to meet a true Englishman in Central London, because we can not afford to go there.
Thirdly, you are very unlikely to find any French products in the upper class barbers quarter of London, because the French products are direct competition and we can't be having any of that now, can we.
Fourth, when the $ gets stronger against the £, they will put their prices up.

Finally, if you need a shaving brush, it is better and cheaper to purchase a Simpson a Vulfix a Rooney or a Kent. These are the suppliers of brushes that are re labelled with the shop brand like Trumpers, Harris, Taylors etc.,

To be fair, it is quaint and the soaps, creams and stuff in bottles are the same price where ever you buy it in England and the products are considered by many to be the best money can buy.

Have a great trip.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by English

Second, you are unlikely to meet a true Englishman in Central London, because we can not afford to go there.


Finally, if you need a shaving brush, it is better and cheaper to purchase a Simpson a Vulfix a Rooney or a Kent. These are the suppliers of brushes that are re labelled with the shop brand like Trumpers, Harris, Taylors etc.,

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HAHA! So so true. When I go there, I think there is probably like 10% English people living in London nowadays.

Very true also re the brushes. Vulfix seem to be re-labelled on most of the premier brands. Good brushes though but as English says, you'll get them much cheaper if you buy direct.