Reddit mentions of Taylor of Old Bond Street Avocado Shaving Cream In A Bowl, 5.3-Ounce

I browsed /r/wicked_edge for a bit before diving in. Their FAQ should be a good place to get you started.

I've improved my pre- and post-shave routines as well as using a brush and non-canned shaving cream. Anecdotally, the learning curve wasn't very steep for me (a few nicks and cuts starting out) and I'm noticing that my issues with sensitive skin and ingrown hairs are resolving.

Your start-up costs may seem a little steep, but you can find some deals or cheaper gear and upgrade later. The fact that I actually enjoy shaving and feel better after doing it more than makes up for the initial purchase.

I started with the following:

Razor Emporium Sensitive Skin Blade Sampler pack

Musgo Real Lime Glyce Soap

Parker Safety Razor SYNTHETIC Bristle Shaving Brush

Taylor of Old Bond Street Avocado Shaving Cream

Edwin Jagger DE89bl Chrome Plated Double Edge Safety Razor

Gentleman Jon 3.5 Ounce Alum Block

If he doesn't already have experience with shaving with a straight edge, you should go with a double-edge/saftey razor. They require far less upkeep and are easier to learn to use. The general recommendation is something like a Merkur razor.

If you're thinking of going with a badger brush and shave cream, you'll want to get him a nice brush. That will probably be the bulk of what you spend. I personally have a Saville Row brush from QED that I love but I'm sure others can chime in with their favorites.

As for hypo-allergenic shave cream, there's always Prorasso for sensitive skin. Although I don't have exema, I have sensitive skin and my absolute favorite cream is Taylor of Old Bonds Street Avocado. Contrary to the name, it doesn't smell like avocado, but something else incredible.

Lastly, I'm a big proponent of non-alcohol Witchhazel. I have my mom and my gf addicted to this stuff. It's a natural toner and antibacterial. It works great and and doesn't smell like much of anything. It's good enough that I barely use aftershave anymore. Though Nivea sensitive balm is widely accepted as a good aftershave balm.


That's about what I've been using for the last half-decade. The very last bit is razor blades. There are a number of manufacturers from Merkur, to Derby to Feather. Best bet is to buy him a trial pack (5 blades from a number of manufacterers) from a shaving site online and let him figure out his favorite.

I shave my boyfriend's head when the opportunity arises, and I've also gotten into wet shaving. There's a really great, if long, video about wet shaving one's head with a DE razor here. He recommends using a shaving cream product and instead of lathering with brush and bowl, just mixing it with water and making a slick and thick slurry on the head. I've been following that advice and have been using this, since I had it for my own use. It has worked beautifully and my boyfriend loves how it feels. It gets a little drippy if you don't get the water content just right, but if he's doing it in the shower it shouldn't matter anyway. It comes in manlier scents, too.

As Kinganti points out, samples are a great way to find new soaps you like for very cheap.

And as for my two cents, I am loving TOBS avocado though you really can't go wrong with any TOBS.
I also like to have a tube of Proraso on hand for the mornings I really need a "wake up" or for hot summer days.. speaking of, I've been going through a lot of Proraso in the past few weeks...

I have two to recommend. One is a soap that my wife makes, she is the creator of mason boutique soaps, and she makes one called maya which is a very clean fresh scent. The other one I'd like to recommend is Taylor of old bond street avocado. It's one that I think most people would be apprehensive to try, but it's a wonderful scent, nice, cool, clean, crisp. I also like the TOBS Grapefruit, but with that it's either love it or hate it. I honestly can't see anyone NOT loving the avocado one.

The only straight razor I would consider buying on Amazon is this one. Lee at WSP takes Gold Dollar razors and fixes them up so that they're shave-ready. I haven't shaved with one of his edges, but word is that he does a good job. You'll also need a strop (not sure about the quality of the Fromm, but the one I like would blow your budget), a brush and some soap or cream.