Thread: James Bond -- Skyfall

Just stopped by this weekend in Antwerp, Belgium, at this lovely little wet-shaving store called De Messenwinkel.

I got some pre-shave and shaving crème as I witnessed a young man getting a full sale advice on the how-and-what on straights. The shop manager matter-of-factly said the James Bond movie Skyfall, with this straight shaving scene, got him a boost on sales of straight razors. He said he ordered 300 razors at Dovo and their supply could hardly keep up and that back order time went way over the promised two months.

Looks like a movie can have a positive influence on people and that straight razor shaving business is booming like never before!!!

The Bond shave did indeed appear realistic. Bond is shaving a week's beard stubble and I noted that she shaved off the stubble. If that was a rubber razor, then the beard must also have been a prop. "Shaving with the cut throat - take 34 - let's get it right this time people!"

I think I read somewhere she got ready for the scene balloon and lather style.

Either way it is one hell of a close shave! You will notice that through the rest of the movie, without any stops to even rest or eat over several very hectic days, Bond stays just as smooth as immediately after the shave.

There are several comments made in the movie that show the Bond character returning to the more primitive tools of the trade, such as when the new "Q" tells Bond that they dont go in for exploding pens anymore. This whole movie revolves around the premise of Bond aging.

I think there is a certain "machismo" that comes along with straight razor shaving. In today's modern society, where we are so focused on having too little time in the day for anything, or we need the newest most hyped up gadgets to get through our daily lives. Its nice to see more and more people returning to the tools of the past and taking more time for the seemingly medial tasks of our day. Of course there is also the school of thought that you havent lived until you've pressed a sharpened piece of steel to your own throat on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

That just blows my mind. Three years ago I did not know that anyone shaved this way or if you could even obtain a straight razor. I thought a straight razor was like one of those bicycles of the 1800s with the huge front wheel that people were having accidents using.

Everyone I know thinks I should get my head examined for shaving in such a dangerous manner.

I was hoodwinked for 40 years, thinking the junk in the post-DE era was the only things you could get.

The awareness of straight razors has increased so much! Why would a movie producer want a shaving scene so much that an actress would be sent to barber school to learn how to do it?

I'm wondering if this is a growing fad to shave the old fashioned way, or if this is the beginning of a consumer revolt against the high prices and irritation today's razors give people. Back in my day everyone shaved. The last 20 years people will show up for work unshaven, even dress up and go out unshaven. I've had a couple of people tell me that there's no way their face could take a daily shave. My face couldn't take it either but I did it because I thought I had do. My face can take daily shaving with the retro equipment.

I am hoping for your latter paragraph to be most true. Everybody needs to take a step back in this fast pace world and see what is important. We can't keep wasting resources on this planet and expect to survive here much longer. The consumer has the power, they just need the brains and the will.

I just wish I had a stock pile of razors to advertise " Just like Bond uses". I couldn't do it of course but I bet you see it on e-bays china razors soon. And I don't think that is going to help some guys find good razors there later. More reading and less truth in advertising as all the junk hits the bay this summer when the fad club is over.

Originally Posted by Badgister

Well said Mephisto. I would imagine keywords such as " almost brand new" and "only used once" will likely be included in those future ebay listings. I often see such listings locally on craigslist and kijiji, razor, strop and all.

Found some more info here guys, turns out the Skyfall razor could be Merkur - The Razors of James Bond 007 - Ape to Gentleman

Merkur, the last I heard anyway, don't make cut-throats! I might be wrong, and I'm happy to be set straight if I am.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

Merkur, the last I heard anyway, don't make cut-throats! I might be wrong, and I'm happy to be set straight if I am.


Mick

They don't, no - but their parent company DOVO do.