Razors

Every year around this time Sharpologist offers holiday gift advice, either ideas for giving to your favorite wet shaver or for your own list. Here is a look back at this year’s reviews for the best stuff, plus some personal favorites and (NEW!) a list of up-coming sales, for the 2017 Holiday Season Gift Guide.

Sharpologist recently wrote about these luxury razors – any would make an excellent gift. Add to that list any of the Paradigm razors (such as THIS one) or Timeless razors. These artisan-made, heirloom-quality razors would make a fine addition to any shaver’s shelf. My personal favorites include Charcoal Goods, Timeless, and OneBlade Genesis razors for their unusual designs and quality engineering.

What about an adjustable razor? It’s like getting many razors in one! The days of virtually no choice when it comes to adjustable razors (Merkur Progress, Merkur Futur, or a vintage model) are, happily, coming to an end. The Progress, Futur, Parker Variant, and Rex Supply Ambassador are continuously adjustable from very mild to very aggressive. Further, a number of razors are available with a selection of base plates that can change the shave’s characteristics: the Rockwell 6S (and it’s little brother, the 6C), the Supply “Injector”-style razor, and the new Occams razor from Classic Shaving would make interesting, useful holiday gifts.

Maybe you want to “dip your toes” into old-school shaving without breaking the bank? Check out THIS article for beginners. The low-end razors offered by Maggard Razors have an excellent reputation. The new OneBlade “Core” razor is a more affordable option if their Genesis razor is out of your range (see THIS new article for more info about the OneBlade Core razor).

Creams, Soaps, and Skin/Hair Care

Perennially popular Sharpologist articles on the best shave creams and best shave soaps are good places to start. These days there is practically a glut of really good creams and soaps so let your favorite scent profiles be your guide here. My personal favorites for a holiday recommendation include Wm. Neumann’s shave creams and DR Harris shave soaps

Do you have a favorite shave cream/soap scent profile? It may be available with related products, such as shampoo, body wash, hand lotion, etc! For example, I’m a big fan of St. James Of London’s “Black Pepper & Lime” shave cream. They just launched a line of personal grooming products in the same scent (and their other signature scents, too). It’s a really fine set: the shampoo I got may be one of the best I’ve used and the other products are really solid as well.

Brushes

If you are looking for one of the new generation of synthetic hair shaving brushes, take a look at the Muhle 31M89. The “Rosegold” color admittedly may not look particularly good as a displayed computer image but I think they look really stunning when viewed in person.

Looking for something at the high end? The Simpson Chubby 3 in super badger is considered by many as the “classic” luxury shaving brush. The Kent BK8 and his big brother the Kent BLK12 in silvertip are regarded as some of the best luxury shaving brushes on the market. For a high-end brush without the high-end price take a look at this WSP “High Mountain White” brush. Looking for a really great brush value with excellent performance that won’t break the bank? The Stirling Badger Brush may be the way to go.

Accessories

Have a young boy in the family? I Thought I’d Teach Myself To Shave by Sam Blake & AT Davidson is a cute read and only US $0.99 as a Kindle ebook.

A perennial Sharpologist recommendation is Leisureguy’s Guide to Gourmet Shaving, the Alpha and Omega of traditional wet shaving gear and technique in written form. If you do not have this book already it should be on your wish list. Highly recommended.

The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man is a good gift for essential life skills, including grooming.

Consider a Shaving Mug Or Scuttle

SALES!

for that little “guilty pleasure” of warm lather throughout the shave.

I surveyed a bunch of wet shaving vendors and manufacturers to see what kind of sales they might be running for “Black Friday” and/or “Cyber Monday” and here is what I found out so far:

Griffith Shaving Goods: NOW through the last day of 2017: 10% off orders over $100 with discount code 10off100HOLIDAYS2017 and 15% off orders over $300 with discount code 15off300HOLIDAYS2017

Shop the 2017 Holiday Gift Guide at TheArtofShaving.com!;

https://www.zeusbeard.com/ – Order code: gailsh10. The code apply a 20% discount.

Wet Shaving Products: Save 15% off site-wide!. You can click the link above/below or enter “CyberMonday” in the coupon/discount box during checkout & press apply. Cannot be combined with other codes.

OneBlade: 50% (!) off the gunmetal Genesis razor set, 40% off the standard Genesis starter set, $50 gift card with the new Core “Black Tie” starter set. Alternate Amazon link for Genesis set.

Super Safety Razors: All Parker Safety Razors sold will be accompanied with Parker’s Razor Sheath to protect the razor cap, the blade, and most importantly your fingers when fishing through a toiletry bag or medicine cabinet; all orders of 50 dollars will receive a free Taconic Shave “Pre-Shave” oil; as always, shipping is free on all orders over 35 dollars.

Truefitt & Hill North America: 15% off all products + free shipping with discount code CYBERMONDAY15

Blackland Razors: Blackbird or Sabre safety razors machined finish- $155 (Save $30); Blackbird or Sabre machined finish with both plates – $215 (Save $40)

Glyder: take 50% off with discount code CYBER50

Burke Avenue: 60% Off the Full Size Moisturizing Shave Cream w/ the purchase of the best and final step in healing- the NEW 3 IN 1 Face Balm with discount code CALMANDREPAIR

St. James Of London: 20% off all gift sets (no discount code needed)

Classic Shaving: Everything is on sale. The discounts will be automatically applied to everything in your cart once you click the Checkout button in the cart. 12% discounts on all orders under $200; 20% on all orders over $200.

Caswell Massey: 20% to 50% off sitewide, prices as marked, no code required.

Supply: 15% off $50 minimum purchase with promo code JINGLEBELLS

Rockwell Razors: 15% off everything store-wide as well as a free post-shave balm and free 100 pack of blades on all orders over $50. No discount code required

Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements: Discount Code: CHEER, Huxley’s Better Blend Aftershave, Star Jelly, Unobtanium Splashes

Maggards: 10% all orders with discount code CYBER10 (EXCLUDES: Truefitt & Hill, Gift Certificates, Parker, Mongoose, Alumigoose)

This post will be updated throughout the “Black Friday – Cyber Monday” time frame with new sales and discounts. Check back periodically!

Amazon, OneBlade, Truefitt and Hill, Grooming Lounge, Rockwell Razors, The Art of Shaving, and West Coast Shaving links are affiliate.