As mentioned already Palmolive shave sticks, 50p here in UK, great performer, Omega Pro brush, and Lider shave cream, oh and Wars cream also. As dale mentioned Rapira blades.
Most of the Russian DE blades are killer values. All Rapira varieties, Voskhod, etc. MEM Olive lather (Israel) is another amazing value. A tube of MEM will last a very long time. Aqua Velva,Skin Bracer, and Clubman Pinaud are good values. The Razorock Plissoft brushes or any other similarly knotted brush. Palmolive creams Alpa 378 after shave ARKO shave stick- if one can tolerate it; I like it myself.
Good point. I was assuming a primarily US audience but I need to include options for other regions as well. Thanks.
My choices...... Gillette Old (OC) Noxema Classic (Thanks Mark!!) Arko Shave Cream or Stick Omega "49" Brush Any store brand "Witch Hazel" Aqua Velva or Pinaud Clubman Semper-fi Mike
Regarding shave balm I think the Nieva Sensitive is a very good product, available at Walgreens and other local retailers, and it has a great price point.
While this is a good question for those low on funds or those new to wet shaving, I feel that the better question would be that of "best value," and that could certainly be at any price point. Using the caveat of no artisans is really a handcuff since most artisans offer the best values to be had. Just think about it; mass produced non-artisan items often use lower grade, harsher chemicals and have worse scents. On the flip side, well-known and long lasting products are often much more costly, albeit higher quality. Once one begins to enjoy wet shaving more, it then often becomes a question of having a luxurious and close shave. This is where the "YMMV" comes into play. This is also where the most experienced and "in the know" wet shavers becone proficient in, and mainly use, artisan soaps.
Astra SP, Derby, and Personna blades are all excellent performers and can be had for about 10 cents ea. A can of Barbasol: less than 2 bucks.
Brush: Omega S Brush, RazoRock Plissoft; Razor; Standard DE, Schick Injector SE, Gillette Mach 3 cart; Soap; contrary to most here I'm quite happy with VdH Deluxe and for an AS I prefer Skin Bracer. Most here prefer to go with more expensive stuff but I like the inexpensive stuff that works well. Isn't that the point of this thread?
Yeah, well either region specific or simply just products that are easily available all over our globe. Asked directly, I'd vastly prefer the latter. But I'm very much biased being an European.
Soap - Arko Brush - Whipped Dog Synthetic in a old brush handle Razor - Gillette Super Adjustable Aftershave - Aloe Vera Greg W.
Love it or hate it, Arko is great deal. Omega Pro '49' is allot of brush for the money. I also have a 50/50 (mane/tail) white horse hair brush from Vie Long that I paid $14 for this is a great value. For blades you gotta be kidding, all good DE blades are a great value. Even Feather's at $30/100, that is 200 shaves for me at just $30. 0.15 per shave, yes you can find cheaper but to save a nickel a shave???? I am not a vintage razor fan but no doubt you can pick a razor that shaves for very little. Witch hazel is cheap and makes a great AS by itself. Whipped Dog sight unseen straights are a cost effective way to join the dark side. Many of us got our start that way.
My (that's a Euro cent btw) - Speick cream / La Toja Stick ... Arko if you can stand it - Vulfix 404 mixed badger & boar / most of the Semogue boars. Does Maggard count as Artisan? If not, I'd say Maggard Synthetic - Feather Popular / Weishi - or a nice Gillette Tech / Super Speed, if you want to go vintage Yeah - what he said I need approx. 30 blades per year, so price is not an issue here.
Some of these products have already been mentioned but here's what I came up with after a quick look in my cabinets. Pinaud Clubman Old Spice Alpa 378 Florida Water - actually I like most of the Murray & Lanman products and they're all reasonably priced. Thayers Witch Hazel English Leather VanDerHagen Luxury Derby soap DeVerGulde Hand Savon du Midi Stetson Cooling Moisture Arko Paul Sebastian A/S balm Proraso TOBS cream Dr Dittmar
I totally agree. Maca Root shave cream rocks. Kiss My Face brand is a close second for value. Masters Bay Rum Nivea Sensitive Shave Balm Brush: Tweezerman or VDH Straight razors are the cheapest most "green" razors in the long run.
