WSP and a New Razor!
If you’ve read this blog for some time, you’ll know that I’m a “wet shaver.” That is, I shave with a traditional double-edge (DE) safety razor; the kind your Grandfather (or Father) shaved with. I’ve been shaving with these types of razors for years now and I won’t be going back to any other type of razor. They offer the best, most comfortable, most affordable, eco-friendly way to shave.1
The whole shaving process is very calming to me.2 Taking out some shaving soap or cream and putting in the scuttle. Getting the brush wet and working the soap or cream into a lather. Applying the lather to my face and completing a “pass” with the razor and blade. Repeat the application and complete at least one more pass. Cleaning up my gear. And finally applying the post-shave products — witch hazel (most times), aftershave tonic, aftershave balm, and finally cologne. As I said, the whole process is very relaxing and a great way to start the day.3
In the first part of this post I want to draw attention to the “post-shave.” Very early on in my journey into wet shaving, I started searching for a “signature scent.”4 You know, when people smell it they think, “Yeah, that’s Jack!” Kind of like how your Dad only wore English Leather or Grandpa always smelled like Old Spice. One of the first fragrances I wanted to try was Creed’s Green Irish Tweed (the “why” is a whole other story) created for Cary Grant.5 But then I saw the price — a standard 100ml bottle is almost $400! So I started looking for an artisan’s take on it. My search led me to Wet Shaving Products and Gaelic Tweed.
Since I’ve never had Creed’s Green Irish Tweed (GIT), I can’t say with any kind of certainty that Wet Shaving Products (WSP) Gaelic Tweed is an exact match or even comes close.6 What I can say is the scent profile seems to be spot on, at least on paper. And being that Gaelic Tweed is far less expensive (a 100ml of the cologne is $40), I ordered the aftershave tonic and the matching aftershave balm.
Oh my goodness! What a scent. According to the WSP website, Gaelic Tweed is “is a masterful blend of lemon verbena top notes, an iris & violet leaf heart with a sandalwood & ambergris base.” I find the fragrance intoxicating and have ordered it several times in both the tonic and balm but I’ve included the cologne, too.
I was so impressed by their products that all of my post-shave products come from Wet Shaving Products. While Gaelic Tweed is “kind of” like my signature scent (I’ve used it the longest), I’ve started branching out into some of their other fragrances. Currently, the fragrances in my rotation are: Olympus (another WSP spin of a Creed fragrance, Aventus) and Distinguished Gentleman (a modern take on the classic Bay Rum). I’ve also sampled Matterhorn and have Tobacco on the way.
I’ve been using WSP products for years now and I can honestly say I can’t think of any better products on the market. WSP is a small company that produces “small batch soaps, shaving products, lotions, and balms with natural ingredients.” Everything’s made by hand. As they say on their website, “Unless it’s metal, plastic, or glass, we made it by hand, in house. No automation. Just human hands every step of the way.”
If you’d like to try out some of their products, just follow this link and set up an account. I think you’ll agree that Wet Shaving Products make some of the best (if not the best) shaving products in the market today.
Speaking of products, traditional shaving just can’t be accomplished without a razor. And when it comes to razors, there are different makers — Gillette, Maggard, Parker, Edwin Jagger, Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements, Rex Supply Co., etc.7 Almost all of those in that list are making razors today. In fact, I’d say the only one in the list who’s not making DE safety razors today is one of the pioneers of the industry — Gillette!8
Recently, I became interested in a relatively newcomer on the DE market — the Rockwell safety razor. It’s a unique adjustable razor. Rockwell razors have an interchangeable base plate that can be switched out and turned over. That is, the base plate comes with two settings — R1 and R3, R2 and R4, and R5 and R6. A number of YouTube wet shavers use this razor and rave about it (especially Kevy Shaves; it’s his favorite razor).9 After so many positive reviews, I looked at it a bit more closely and took the plunge.10
One of the reasons I purchased this razor (other than the reviews) is because it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Yep. You read that right. A lifetime warranty. From the Rockwell website:
All of our razors are backed by a lifetime warranty — If you’re not thrilled with the performance of your Rockwell Razor, you can return it for a complete refund, no questions asked. We’ll even pay for the return shipping up to 30 days from the date you receive your razor.
If there’s any cosmetic flaws or damage, they’ll replace it plus pay for the shipping. And if one happens to damage the razor in any way, they’ll still replace the damaged part (of course, the owner will have to pay for shipping).
I really appreciate companies that back their products in this way. I mean, how much stuff do you own that comes with a lifetime warranty? I only have two and the Rockwell razor is one of those items.
I’ve been using my Rockwell 2C exclusively since I received it and I must say it’s one of the best razors I own. While I initially struggled with the correct angle when shaving my head, it’s a very forgiving razor and I was able to quickly adjust and get some of the best shaves I’ve ever had. No nicks. Not cuts. No irritation.
Let me put it this way: The Parker Variant is my favorite razor. It’s never let me down. The build quality is excellent. The weight and balance of the razor is spot on. Finding the angle is flawless. It’s really hard to beat. However, the Rockwell 2C is currently in my number two spot and has an eye on first place. If you choose either of these razors, you won’t be disappointed.
Well, there you have it; my latest updates in the traditional shaving world. If you’ve never ventured out into trying this type of shaving, I highly recommend it. There are some great YouTube channels dedicated to this type of shaving. You get some great tutorials, help, and insight to some great products. Shaving shouldn’t be a chore or something you loathe to do — it should be one of the highlights of your day. I know it is for me and countless others around the world.
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In the Love of the Three in One,
Br. Jack+, LC
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1. Well, it’s economical for most of us. There are some YouTubers who have a lot of wet shaving products — soaps, creams, razors, blades, brushes, etc. — and they’ve purchased most of them!
2. Recently I was watching a Kevy Shaves YouTube video on my TV when my daughter came over. After she fixed something to eat, she plopped down in a chair in the living room while I continued to watch the video. After Kevy had finished a pass, I asked her, “Isn’t that calming?” She replied, “I can’t believe I’m saying this but it really is!” She stayed for the whole video.
3. I read an article about a guy who shaves at night. He’s a child social worker and the things he deals with on the daily can be very troubling. He likes showering and then shaving to end his day as a type of therapy. He said he removes the day’s layer of trouble with each pass of the razor. That’s a really nice thought.
4. My wife has a signature scent — Auric Blends’ Egyptian Goddess. It’s heavenly. It’s intoxicating. It’s ethereal, sensual and earthy. She gets compliments on it pretty much every day she wears it.
5. According to my research, though, Creed created this scent in 1985 and Grant died in 1986 from a massive stroke at the age of 82. I suppose Creed could have created Green Irish Tweed with Grant in mind and he could have worn it for that year or so but I’m not sure. What I am sure of is Robert Redford is a big fan, as well as George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, and many more.
7. There are dozens and dozens of DE manufacturers today, more than I can mention here. Go to maggardrazors.com or westcoastshaving.com or phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com for a look. I think you’ll be surprised.
8. I would love to see Gillette come out with an anniversary edition of their “Black Beauty” (a black handled twist-to-open (TTO) razor from the late 1960’s to early 1970’s) or, better yet, their “Tech” razor (an extremely popular razor for over 50 years from 1939 to 1973).
10. The Rockwell safety razor started out as a Kickstarter campaign to redesign the safety razor and raised over a million dollars.
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