Thread: 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 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


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

Originally Posted by bjrn

Thanks for the photos, John!

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

I think thats for shaving the statue out the front.