Thread: The Pilgrim's Seven Wonders

Gentlemen,

Quality usually comes at a high price. Usually because occasionally one is burned on the mediocre at a high price. That is reality.

I abhor the term "on-the-cheap," because "cheap" is exactly what one gets. For some reason, a number of people, especially traditional shaving newbies, have been sold on the idea of starting their straight razor, strop, brush and soap-cream experience by finding the cheapest tools and products possible, while expecting great results. I don't know who started this idea, or who keeps shamefully promoting it, but "on-the-cheap" eventually ends up costing more, because the shaver misses the chance to realize the full potential of quality products.

In soaps and creams, one need not shoot for Martin de Candre when on a small budget. Perhaps someday. Yet, there a number of quality soaps and creams available at a relatively small price. Although they will not match the Seven Wonder's quality, in my estimation, anyway, they are worth the money, nevertheless — and the shaver is not faced with junk.

The Pilgrim's Seven Wonders does not includes Mitchell's Wool Fat. I have always liked this soap for its lather quality, cushion and glide, and especially for the way it pampers my ultra-sensitive skin. I dare say, in the next round up for the Seven Wonders, in a few months, I will probably include it in the list and eliminate one already there.

The Pilgrim's Seven Wonders

Provence Sante soap
Institute Karite soap
L'Occitane Cade soap
Tabac soap
Mama Bear soap
Taylor of Old Bond Street cream
Maca Root cream

I have only tried about 1/2 of these, but they have all been wonderful soaps. Great list Obie.

Great post Obie. I agree that some newbies try to go too cheap but also some feel that going high end will buy a better shave. The later is not always true as a newbie rarely has the necessary technique to take advantage of what high end products offer either. I just feel that good solid middle of the road cost wise products are what a newbie should look at for a start. I see that your 'Pilgrims Seven Wonders" seems to reflect that too. There are a huge number of soap/creams to choose from in that category. I think that in most cases a shave soap or cream that does not perform well enough to provide a decent shave for a user is down to operator error, at least it is in my case. Anyway, thanks for bringing this up.

Bob

Hear, hear...listen to the wise men when they speak,it's too expensive not to.
Of course you must buy within your means, but Obie makes a valid point.
And not just soaps & creams.
1) Cheap blade's that comes shave ready... oh no, it does not. Tip, buy your blades, off of SRP vendors ,or if you choose to purchase your blades from elsewhere pls for your own sake, send to respected Honemiester's example: Lynn from SRD the daddy of this forum & men like gssixgun, also there are many more pros ,depending or which part of the world your from ,for the real deal shave experience, you need only ask.

2)Strops that you need to sand down, before you even use...hell no ,you need only ask.
The list goes on, but hopefully you get the point.
Choose wisely pilgrim's.

Oh, what the heck you might as well throw brushes in there too. I finally came to terms with Williams soap pucks in that with more effort I can raise a lather good enough to give a comfortable close comfortable shave using a boar brush, a badger or synthetic. What was holding me back was not the brush type or the razor type but figuring out how Williams liked to be lathered.

Are there better soaps than Williams? For sure in that they are easier to lather. Are there better brushes than my cheap Omega boar brush? For sure in that they may feel nicer on the face. Point is that the Omega/Williams combo for about 10 bucks total will do the job if you are up to it.

I would not recommend beginners go that route at the start but it just goes to show how important technique is over equipment. Start with one middle of the road price wise soap/cream and brush. Once you get that combo down pat branch out from there.

Bob

The other problem I remember when starting out was I believed great lather came from very little product. I Kept trying to get tons of lather but would skimp on loading the brush. Once I started putting a good amount of soap in the brush, lather came much easier as I figured out the necessary amount of water as well.

Seven (inexpensive) soaps or creams
Mama Bear. I like bay rum.
Maggards Lime and Bergamot
Barrister and Mann Seville
Taylor of Bond Eton
CO Bigelow
SRD India Bay
Pre de Provence