Thread: If I had but one . . .

One razor? My Filly DT 13 in black scales
One soap? Without a doubt Martin de Candre
One balm? Castle Forbes, probably
One brush? Only have one, my Kent T4
One cream? Castle Forbes
One DE? Ermm.... I'm a straight only person!!
One cologne? OH COME ON!!! That's like getting me to choose between my girlfriend's breasts!! Too difficult!!

If I had but one straight razor it would be my first; my Burrell Top Flight; simply because it was my first
If I had but one DE it would be my Mühle R 89 (I got it from you, Obie, do you remember?)
If I had but one cream it would be Musgo Real
If I had but one soap it would be Edwin Jagger Sea Buckthorn
If i had but one DE blade it would be Astra

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen:

If I had but one straight razor, it would be the Le Grelot in horn (I know, I know I have Puma, Friodur, Schulze and other fancy names, but none tucks as perfectly in my hands as the Le Grelot, and none shaves me better). So . . .

If I had but one straight razor, it would be the Le Grelot in horn . . .
But one strop, it would be the Neil Miller Shell Cordovan . . .
But one hone, it would be the humble Norton 4/8 . . .
But one DE razor, it would be the Gillette Aristocrat . . .
But one DE blade, it would be Super Iridium . . .
But one shave brush, it would be the 22 mm Thater silvertip . . .
But one soap, it would be the celestial Martin de Candre . . .
But one cream, it would be the intoxicating Xpec original . . .
But one pre-shave, it would be Castle Forbes . . .
But one scuttle, it would be Moss (I face lather) . . .
But one Alum, it would be Osma . . .
But one witch hazel, it would Thayers Super Medicated with Aloe Vera . . .
But one aftershave balm, it would be Castle Forbes . . .
But one aftershave lotion, it would Spanish Leather by Truefitt & Hill . . .
And on a cold and snowy day, a bowl of beef stew, a chunk of crusty French bread and a bottle of Rhone wine . . .

And you, gentlemen? If you had but one . . . ?

Obie-
I wondered if you would be so kind as to elaborate on a few of your choices...

-Why do you prefer the Truefitt & Hill Spanish Leather to the Geo Trumper's (I believe I remember you commenting on both in the past)

-What is it about the Aristocrat Razor that puts it on this list? Which model (adjustable or not, etc.)

thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by Joegags

Obie-
I wondered if you would be so kind as to elaborate on a few of your choices...

-Why do you prefer the Truefitt & Hill Spanish Leather to the Geo Trumper's (I believe I remember you commenting on both in the past)

-What is it about the Aristocrat Razor that puts it on this list? Which model (adjustable or not, etc.)

thanks a lot!

Hello Joe. Excellent questions, my friend.

It's a hard choice between the two versions of Spanish Leather, Truefitt & Hill's and Trumper's, since I love both and have used them for years.

Trumper's version has a clean fragrance that warms the spirit like a smile from a beautiful woman. It's an inviting fragrance that always reminds me of British apothecary shops. It goes on a wee bit sweet, but quickly settles down to a luscious garden of delightful soaps.

Truefitt & Hill's version, however, takes the edge slightly, because I find it more complex, with hidden and mysterious notes that blossom as the day progresses. It's like listening to Brahms. You may have heard his, say, Symphony No. 4, or Piano Concerto No. 1, 50 times. On the fifty-first hearing, suddenly you'll hear something you have not heard before, a phrase that seems to come out of nowhere, or a little flute that floats in the air from a place unknown.

Both versions work well for day and night. Truefitt & Hill's version leans a bit toward evenings, for me, anyway. Either way, I plan to have these two Spanish Leather delights with me into the next century.

I have two Gillette Aristocrats, from 1948, both in superb condition. (They will go to my grandsons Maxwell and Henry "Blue eyes." I also have for them each a Fatboy and Super Speed Red Tip. These three are my preferred of the Gillette models.) The Gillette Aristocrat is like a glittering gem in a treasure of great razors that celebrate true American workmanship. The Aristocrat is a beautifully made razor. Its petite size, solid grip and TTO shave head, plated in sparkling gold, make me feel as if shaving with a jewel. No, the Aristocrat is not my best DE shaver, especially with my heavy beard — the Weber is — but it is my most comfortable and enjoyable shaver, not only functionally, but also esthetically.

Stay well.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

if I could only have one I'd jump off the highest cliff I could find ......

But since you can only jump of but one cliff, you better choose it carefully!

If I had but one straight razor, it would be my Filarmonica Especial Para Barbas Duras Tridur #14...
But one strop, it would be the Kanayama #90000 Shell Cordovan ...
But one hone, it would be my Nakayama Maruka Kiita...(with slurry progression)
But one DE razor, it would be the Gillette President...
But one DE blade, it would be the Gillette 7 O'clock yellow packs...
But one shave brush, it would be the Simpson Longness 25mm Manchurian badger...
But one soap, it would be the celestial Martin de Candre...
But one cream, it would be the intoxicating Xpec original...
But one scuttle, it would be Schwartsweisskeramik Large...
But one Alum, it would be Osma ...
But one witch hazel, it would Thayers Super Medicated with Aloe Vera ...
But one aftershave balm, it would be Boellis Panama...

Quite similar to yours Obie, but not quite identical

Thanks, Obie. I received the Trumper's Spanish Leather this past Christmas and am really enjoying it. Could you please expand on this statement:

Originally Posted by Obie

No, the Aristocrat is not my best DE shaver, especially with my heavy beard — the Weber is — but it is my most comfortable and enjoyable shaver, not only functionally, but also esthetically.

Stay well.

I completely understand "enjoyable" - how function, esthetics, and history can equate to an experience whose sum total is much greater than the individual parts. But, acording to your personal definitions, how is the Weber your "best" shaver whereas the Aristocrat is your most "comfortable" one?

Thanks again for dissecting your personal preference - it's a huge help!

Originally Posted by Joegags

Thanks, Obie. I received the Trumper's Spanish Leather this past Christmas and am really enjoying it. Could you please expand on this statement:



I completely understand "enjoyable" - how function, esthetics, and history can equate to an experience whose sum total is much greater than the individual parts. But, acording to your personal definitions, how is the Weber your "best" shaver whereas the Aristocrat is your most "comfortable" one?

Thanks again for dissecting your personal preference - it's a huge help!

I have a heavy beard and an extremely sensitive skin — new dress shirts should be washed at least a half a dozen times before I can wear them, and so on. Most of the Gillettes Superspeeds, including the Red Tip, are a wee bit mild for me. For the Fatboy, a 5 setting is the maximum, otherwise my skin will pay for it. The Aristocrat is as mild as the others. What makes the Aristocrat special is the overall experience: of shaving with a magnificent jewel. Three passes and some touch ups make for a comfortable shave, if not glassy smooth. Comfort and Beauty combine to create the magic in the Gillette Aristocrat.

The Weber is a bit more aggressive than the Edwin Jagger, which is what I need. There is something in the way the shave head is designed, however, that works for me. I can't quite pinpoint it. I have owned and shaved with all the new stainless steel DE razors, but none comes near the shave from the Weber — for me. I don't particularly care for the bulldog handle and will probably replace it with the Edwin Jagger Plaza handle in faux marble.

Well, as I am clearly not as versed in things shaving as you fine gents, I shall endeavor in my simple manner!

Straight-My Grandsard,Oostburg Rich. Herder in 9/8. It has all the finest qualities.
Strop-Neil Miller Bridle atop a vintage Lipshaw Microtome Strop
Hone-My Escher blue-green with slurry stone is sufficient for the Herder
DE- My "old type" Gillette is all I have!
DE blades-Israeli Personnas suit me fine!
Brush-I just love my vintage Weyer handle reknotted with a 2-band 26mm bulb
Soap-RazoRock Limited edition (if it was unlimited, of course! )
Cream- AOS Lemon Essential Oil
Scuttle-My old Mug!
Alum-Clubman styptic Pencil!
Witch Hazel- Not a fan
Balm-Gillette Afta
A/S-Aqua Velva Blue

My humble submission!

If I could have only one mental illness, it would be Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.