Yes, I'm off to a little vacation in France for a few weeks. I'm bringing Speick cream and aftershave splash. I was wondering if there anything (creams soaps, aftershaves) that are worth buying while I'm there? For reference, I like Tabac, Speick, Proraso Green and Red but I own those already. I also got a couple cream samples of TOBS and I loved the Jermyn St and St James, although I'm not sure quite yet which of the two I prefer and would like to buy more of. Anywho, any recommendations of stuff that is worth buying while in Europe compared to Canada would be much appreciated!
Yes, find Martin de Candre. Expensive here due to shipping, more reasonable in France. According to lore, the brain bowl is what you seek--shave cream in a wooden bowl with a brain like texture on the surface. If you're a brush fiend, look for Plisson.
Oooh, what fun! I'll link to jeraldgordon's thread for more ideas & places to buy MdC. http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/french-products.32376/
MdC. MdC some MdC and perhaps a few more containers of MdC I'd have ordered my own long ago but not with the insane overseas shipping, the soap itself is not very expensive.
I would get some MdC in jars. And I would get some MdC in brain bowls too. Then I would get some more MdC in jars. You should get some MdC. I might pick up some Intitut Karite soap and cream too..on second though, I would stick with MdC, forget I mentioned Institut Karite.
I would highly recommend a scotch on the rocks in the Crazy Horse Saloon if you are in Paris. I believe it was $40 when I was there 30 years ago, so no telling what the cover charge is now, but it was well worth it. I went to a show at the Lido and the Crazy Horse Saloon, the show at the Crazy Horse Saloon was much better.
There is a store in paris which is like a shave mecca! The store is called Planete Rasoir its address is 58 rue de clichy. They have anything that you can think of there. I visit paris every couple of years and this is always my first stop when i get there lol. Its located in the montmartre area which is a great place for a walk and to get lost in all the history.
Because of the weight and shipping expense Martin de Candre would be a great choice; the brain bowl and some of the special glass soap containers would be interesting if not too pricy...you know the French. Or buy that famous French Monsovan soap which is inexpensive over there and made by a subsidiary of Sara Lee.
I'm going to add my two cents worth even though the fellow going to France has probably been back for at least a month. But for future reference just remember that France is not Paris, and Paris is not France. Sounds silly, but Martin de Candre is produced out in the countryside, I believe in Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, near Tours. That's well over a 3 hour drive. But Martin de Candre has a small bed and breakfast operation where you can spend the night and even tour the Soap Museum the next day. So, it ain't close to Paris. In Paris you can go to Planete Rasoir, already mentioned above. I would also imagine that Le Bon Marche department store has a good representation of shaving products. There are also numerous pharmacies that stock grooming products of really fine quality. For my money, I bring back French pocket knives. I think French pocket knives are among the best. I know that Le Bon Marche has a good selection of Laguiole pocket knives produced by Forge de Laguiole and other brands. My favorite knives are made by Perceval. Gilles produces one called the Sauveterre, which is one fine knife. Remember, no knives in carry-on luggage. If you're looking for good knives and traveling to Paris, let me know and I'll give you some direction of where and what to buy. And on a final note....French products are EXPENSIVE compared to like products produced in other countries.
Yes Eddie, I admit to both! Guilty! Although I must admit that the French knives are much more of an obsession to me than the shaving part. Here is a great looking Laguiole knife in the Aile de Pigeon (Pigeon's Wing) style, made by blacksmith/engraver David Dauvillaire. I'm waiting for it to be delivered in the next couple of days!
Myself I would look for Thiers Issard straight razors, might be able to find some vintage ones in antique shops over there
If you were only going to Paris your best bet for anything antique (razors included) would be the gigantic flea market, Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, held on Saturdays and Sundays. Some dealers have actual enclosed stores while others have just a table and a tent. We're talking acres and acres here!
I lost count on how many other people said MdC in a glass jar, but seriously stock up. My last jar was $68 to my door. I'm sure it's worth it. Hope you have a great time.
Somehow I get the feeling that if Metro didn't bring back any French Perfume for his significant other, he's never going to be allowed to visit the Shave Den again.
