I can't help it, I'm a fan of the underdog. If it's poorly designed but awkward, lazy but good humored, underperforming but with character, chances are I bought, voted or wrote about it. Awhile back, while I was placing an order (I think maybe at IB, maybe not) I picked up a couple of Derby creams, Lavender and Lemon. They were just a couple bucks, so why not? When I got them, I tried both and found them workable, but entirely average at best. I put them on the shelf and left them there for awhile. When I went back to them, I found they were actually not bad. I enjoyed the shave the next time, and I promoted both scents to the regular lineup and out of the 'in case I run out of stuff I like" pile. I really liked using them to build an frankenlather. Anyone else have any underdogs of their own?
Woods of Windsor shave soap. It doesn't lather up that well, but I like the scent, so I add a bit of Kiss My Face Unscented shaving cream to boost the lather without masking the scent. Unlike Williams that doesn't lather up that well, either, but has a horrible scent !
I've never heard of Woods of Windsor before. It makes me think of fox hunts on the English countryside. lol
The closest poorly-designed and executed shaving item I can think of that still some merit is my VDH brush. Sure, it's a $4.79 brush (on sale), with a clumpy knot that is determined to shed hairs with every use. BUT it can do a somewhat decent job of getting one's face lathered. The trade off is having to pluck all the unwanted boar bristles scattered about your soapy face.
I have to lean with HolyRollah on this one, my VDH brush sheds 1 or 2 or.... 7 hairs every time i lather with it but! I keep going back to it, works very well and gives me a piece of mind seeing it lather up with its own VDH soap. Match maid in heaven
You guys are a bunch of VDHaters! I've got the cheapo one that comes with the $10 set, and I was gifted the $29 one sold standalone. I love both of these brushes and mine don't lose hair anymore. I told you I love underdogs! hahaha
hahaha i love my VDH also really i do, Its local and easy to get a hold of and works very well for me.
Ingrams shave cream, it costs £1.75 and works very well. Im sure plenty of people overlook it and are missing out.
I love Ingram. I like the Egyptian version more than the British, but the British one is great too. Much better than Proraso.
You all have hurt my feelings talking bad about the VDH brushes. They're all I have and use. I wouldn't know what to do with a quality brush.
No hurtful intentions meant, BigT! I have had the VDH longer than any other brush I own currently. I will still drag it out on occasion just 'for old time's sake.' It's inherent shortcomings are to be expected considering the ridiculously low price point, but it still can serve many a shaver adequately enough each morning.
I tend to favor blades that other folks don't generally talk about with the highest praise; Bic, Bolzano, Dorco, and Treet are generally better on my face than Astra or other more popular brands. This doesn't take into account the amount of artisan shave soap I use in comparison to larger brands.
None taken. I just had to give everyone a hard time. I like the VDH brushes, especially the white handled ones like you have shown.
