Thread: James Bond Shaving

With the recent release of Quantum of Solace and 2008 being the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Ian Flemming, I figured that this would be a fine time for some friendly Bond discussion. The question is how does Bond shave? It seems Mr. Bond encapsulates much of the effortless class that many of us strive for here, so naturally his shave setup is of the utmost importance. I know there are quite a few textual precedents for this in Fleming's novel's. Those are nicely summed up here The Anger of Compassion: How Does James Bond Shave?. At this site it says, "When traveling, Bond carries a Gillette Adjustable (you can see it in the Goldfinger movie). Generally, though, Bond shaves with a cheap, Russian military issue straight razor which was once used on him by a SMERSH agent. Bond's face was the last thing he ever saw on this earth. When in London, he is often shaved at Taylor's of Grosvenor Street. The barbers at Blades, M's club, often shave him, as a courtesy to M. Taylor's and Blades are happy to hone his Russian razor for him, though they do urge him to replace it with a "finer instrument". I also know that Bond used the Floris No. 89 cologne, just as Flemming did. So what do you guys think? How is bond shaving in your imagination? What soaps, creams, hones, razors, strops, etc. do you think he would use. I'll start things by giving my rundown:

Soap: Floris No. 89
Aftershave: Floris No. 89
EDT: Floris No. 89
Brush: Simpson Chubby 2 in Best
Razor: A big, well worn W&B wedge with original scales (nothing to fancy for the minimalist Bond)
Strop: Again something well worn and vintage
Hone: A combination coticule, period. No HAD for Bond

The soap, aftershave, and EDT are a tough call. I almost see Bond as more of a Penhaligon's Blenheim Boquet man.

for honing he has Q do it with lazers :-)

for some reason i don't se bond using anything other than a W&B...
strop? he might even use his belt
brush...hmm...i might say a black (maybe silver to match his aston) handled shavemac in silvertip (he does enjoy luxury)

however on the scents, i would choose something custom. classy but unique maybe based off a classic scent but with his own personal twist.


to add to hanks...if you follow the link and scroll down you find M's shaving habits and a little more about Sir James Bond

Admiral Sir Miles Messervy (M) -- Admiral Sir Miles is shaved at Blades every day, either at lunchtime or before cards after dinner. He has read the assessment of the Service's medical and psychiatric professionals regarding Bond's Russian straight -- they do not like it -- and keeps it in the bottom drawer of his desk. M has read it once, and has yet to initial it. No one else has seen it.

Long time since I read On Her Majesty's Secret Service but I seem to remember Bond used his DE razor, minus blade, as a knuckle duster, holding the head in the palm of his fist with the handle between the fingers. Nice!

Gareth

I know that in one of the books (I think it`s "The man with the Golden Gun"), Bond thinks his room might have been searched and so he checks everything that could have been checked by the intruder for hiding things; one of the things he checks is one of the settings on his Gillette DE (obviously a man who knows EXACTLY how close he likes his shave).