Since I have been taking an interest in traditional wet shaving I have been visiting several high street stores. They have all we need. But very few higher quality products and not many staff around who really know much about gentlemen's shaving. So I was really interested to find references to the Gentleman's Shop in Hungerford here. Yesterday I paid my first visit. Now it is easy to look up the website and see what the shop has to offer. But this place is something else! It is set in a delightful old building with easy access and nearby parking. When I went inside I haven't got so excited since I paid my first visit to Fratton Park as a 6 year old. Sad, isn't it. I've led a sheltered life. The range of products on offer is amazing - tastefully displayed. Great variety of brushes, razors and other accessories all nicely laid out in spacious premises. And there was the barbers shop - all the chairs occupied. There was a real buzz about the place. I wasn't expecting to see Robert and Charlotte because I had rung earlier to be told it was their day off. I was visiting antique shops anyway so went ahead with my visit. Well they must have a good grapevine because within minutes both Robert and Charlotte came in to give me a warm welcome. And what a delightful couple they are. I could not believe how young they were. They must have been children when they opened the place 21 years ago! Robert gave me some splendid advice - I particularly liked his simple method of lathering which he demonstrated on the side of a basin. I won't go on. I will return soon for a traditional wet shave and a consultation session. And because I visit Hungerford at least twice a year I suspect that won't be my last visit to the shop. It is such a delight to come across a place which offers such quality of product and service. I wish we had a similar place in Lymington. But then I wouldn't have an excuse to visit Hungerford. Did I buy anything? That's between me and Robert. Just one other point. Don't ever buy a razor or brush on the basis of a review without seeing it and feeling it. Yesterday, that principle saved me a lot of money. If you can get to Hungerford it's well worth a visit. Plenty of antique shops and always busy.
Very lovely write up. :signs046 to The Shave Den! Unfortunately, most of us wouldn't be buying anything then. There are very few places in the US, or anywhere really, where you can see and feel before buying.
I wish we had an extensive shaving shop here. A place where people could actually go and look at different razor styles and find blades (not only the gillette at chinese fleamarkets) have a wide range of brushes and soaps... oh boy that would be a dream. The idea of making such place has crossed my mind more than once but I think I would need a heavy initial investment specially since I would need to bring all from the US. Also I would need to do an extensive research to see if there is really a market for wet shaving here or if I'm the only one who really loves this. Maybe an online store would work, that way I wouldn't need to have a place and pay rent... although I would still need the initial investment so I don't get caught with my pants down at the "opening sale"... I can dream I guess
A big opportunity for someone? Even if you are the only one in your area who loves traditional wetshaving at present, that could easily change. There are still a lot of folks out there who do not realize that shaving can actually be enjoyable with the right razor, blades, soap and brush. Well, you can do more than dream if you want. Nothing ventured nothing gained. The amount ventured does not have to be all that large, though. Shoebox Shaveshop was started out of a shoebox by a wetshaving enthusiast. From those very humble beginnings grew a large and successful online store. If I recall correctly, West Coast Shaving also started out as an extension of a hobby, as did Bullgoose. The history of Bullgoose's posts here, for example, show how someone can discover wetshaving, become enthusiastic and motivated, and channel that into a business. Maybe start out small with a few items for sale in the Marketplace? Or perhaps a table at the flea market with some copies of Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving and few different types of razor blades? Once some of the locals start reading the Guide to Gourmet Shaving, that will get them interested and they may come back for more. Just a thought...
I had visited this place a couple of weeks ago. Today I returned for a traditional wet shave. I wanted to find out how the professionals did this thing we all take for granted. I wanted to learn more about the basics of a good shave and what really needs to be done to feel good afterwards. Tina was my barber. She asked me to explain my reasons for being here. While I looked forward to a pleasant pamper I explained that I wanted to know what she was doing and the purpose of each stage in the shaving process. I have read a lot about shaving theory and learned much from my own experience but this was the first time I have been shaved by a trained barber. This is a summary of what followed: Application of a pre shave gel. Face covered with a very hot wet towel. Lather applied by brush after having been made from cream in a bowl. Shave with straight razor using replaceable blade Hot towel, re lather, another pass followed by a further pass where needed. Very cold wet towel. Application of alum block Moisturiser Aftershave gel. I particularly noted the lightness of touch during use of the straight razor. And the use of a Mach 3 for sensitive areas - above upper lip and chin. Also noted lots of small razor movements rather than long sweeps. Tina made clear that she was not aiming for a perfect smooth finish but one that left me well shaven but comfortable. The use of a good quality cream was emphasised as was the importance of a good lather. I noted that Tina's preference was for a lighter lather and thicker coating than I have been recently using - based on my reading of other 'expert' opinion. The post shave was interesting. Tina always applies alum bar to soothe irritation and follows with a moisturiser. The aftershave gel was regarded as a pleasant but not essential end to the pampering session. Tina didn't much care for colognes! During my shaving review of recent weeks I have been particularly interested in the post shave requirements. So many ideas abound about aftershave lotions, balms and scents. It seems to me that if one simply wants a comfortable feeling after a shave all one needs is something to soothe irritation and a moisturiser for the skin. A wide variety of products can do this and I guess it's down to personal preference. I enjoyed my Hungerford experience. It demonstrated that there are many different ways of achieving a satisfying shave. If one does not wish to spend much there are some inexpensive products to meet all essential needs. But if you like pampering yourself, there are a huge variety of increasingly expensive goods to satisfy your craving which you do not need. But if you get pleasure from using them. Why not? It's your money! Good value for £25 - approximate time one hour. And here is a link to a blog in which I include a few photos: http://fidosshavingblog.blogspot.com/
