- Joined
- May 19, 2007
- Messages
- 7,745
I was lucky enough to get to spend a week at a friend's resort home for a week. Lots of fun fishing, decent weather, and I got a good chance to test some gear out for a week that hasn't gotten much use. Due to sleeping arrangements, I got to spend the week out on the balcony sleeping in my HH explorer zip, which was interesting (a couple of coastal storms), but good.
The other kit that got a shakedown, was my "new" travel shave kit.
The razor was the Gillette 7oclock disposable, which I feel like I've mentioned before. I'm further surprised by this razor, and in all the best ways. From a design perspective, the hinge also has a sort of hook/slot as well as the plastic hinge, so the thin plastic of the hinge doesn't actually take much strain. It also looks like the razor will work even if the hinge splits. It is cheap, and "disposable" but its not a "throwaway" item, which in products these days is really rare. It also has very good cleanout slots under the blade, so even with two days of growth, and thick lather, a quick rinse and it was clean. (the house is self sufficient, so water use is minimized) It is very light, so it does take a bit of technique change for those who use heavy razors, but that said, I got great fast shaves out of it. And it means I don't have to risk my antique Tech to travel. For someone looking to give DEs a try with very little expence, I would honestly recommend it, or for someone looking for a gym or grab and go travel kit. It isn't as close on the first pass as my tech, but I think that is partly due to the open comb and weight of the tech, but a three pass shave got there easily, and it didn't get aggressive at all. They do come with a 5pack of blades, or just use your own.
Brush: Omega synthetic. I've reviewed this one before, but haven't really used it often. It really stood up. One of the things that comes with living on the island is that sunblock happens several times a day, so getting it scrubbed off after getting back takes some work. The brush was awesome. Rinses quick, again great for minimizing water use.
Soap: the nalgene tub has proraso white in it, admittedly, it was much more than needed, but I filled the jar before I knew how far it went. I also use much more soap than normal, as I also use it as a face wash to scrub off the sunblock. For those who know it, you know it works, for those that have never tried it, grab yourself a tube or jar at some point. it is very nice stuff.
The Men-U stuff was a sample I got from a local e-retailer. It has the consistency of thick shampoo, so just a bit thinner than Trumpers. It did a good job the couple times I used it. Lathered decently, was slick, and comfortable. So if its available to you for a reasonable cost, then go ahead and give it a try. It has a slightly minty scent, so those sensitive to menthol might find it a bit bitey, but I enjoyed it.
Aftershave:
I take a bunch of Thayers super-hazel as it does a good job as an aftershave, and helpful for bugbites and such like. The Gotube is full of the every-man-jack, which is for those major windburn days, and works great for soothing sunburn. I usually use the Thayers to clean things up and minimize breakouts, because most sunblocks make me look like I'm 13, but whatever.
De-contam box:
I just like it, its pretty crush proof, it does breath a bit which is good. It holds the brush, razor, box of blades, Thayers bottle, and a small sampler of creame.
I like that I can pack just the razor and brush away damp if needed, as it all goes into a shave/shower organizer anyway (I'm looking for a better one) and keeps the brush from getting mashed up. Plus I just like the idea of a shave kit in a de-contamiantion box, it just seems right.
The other kit that got a shakedown, was my "new" travel shave kit.
The razor was the Gillette 7oclock disposable, which I feel like I've mentioned before. I'm further surprised by this razor, and in all the best ways. From a design perspective, the hinge also has a sort of hook/slot as well as the plastic hinge, so the thin plastic of the hinge doesn't actually take much strain. It also looks like the razor will work even if the hinge splits. It is cheap, and "disposable" but its not a "throwaway" item, which in products these days is really rare. It also has very good cleanout slots under the blade, so even with two days of growth, and thick lather, a quick rinse and it was clean. (the house is self sufficient, so water use is minimized) It is very light, so it does take a bit of technique change for those who use heavy razors, but that said, I got great fast shaves out of it. And it means I don't have to risk my antique Tech to travel. For someone looking to give DEs a try with very little expence, I would honestly recommend it, or for someone looking for a gym or grab and go travel kit. It isn't as close on the first pass as my tech, but I think that is partly due to the open comb and weight of the tech, but a three pass shave got there easily, and it didn't get aggressive at all. They do come with a 5pack of blades, or just use your own.
Brush: Omega synthetic. I've reviewed this one before, but haven't really used it often. It really stood up. One of the things that comes with living on the island is that sunblock happens several times a day, so getting it scrubbed off after getting back takes some work. The brush was awesome. Rinses quick, again great for minimizing water use.
Soap: the nalgene tub has proraso white in it, admittedly, it was much more than needed, but I filled the jar before I knew how far it went. I also use much more soap than normal, as I also use it as a face wash to scrub off the sunblock. For those who know it, you know it works, for those that have never tried it, grab yourself a tube or jar at some point. it is very nice stuff.
The Men-U stuff was a sample I got from a local e-retailer. It has the consistency of thick shampoo, so just a bit thinner than Trumpers. It did a good job the couple times I used it. Lathered decently, was slick, and comfortable. So if its available to you for a reasonable cost, then go ahead and give it a try. It has a slightly minty scent, so those sensitive to menthol might find it a bit bitey, but I enjoyed it.
Aftershave:
I take a bunch of Thayers super-hazel as it does a good job as an aftershave, and helpful for bugbites and such like. The Gotube is full of the every-man-jack, which is for those major windburn days, and works great for soothing sunburn. I usually use the Thayers to clean things up and minimize breakouts, because most sunblocks make me look like I'm 13, but whatever.
De-contam box:
I just like it, its pretty crush proof, it does breath a bit which is good. It holds the brush, razor, box of blades, Thayers bottle, and a small sampler of creame.
I like that I can pack just the razor and brush away damp if needed, as it all goes into a shave/shower organizer anyway (I'm looking for a better one) and keeps the brush from getting mashed up. Plus I just like the idea of a shave kit in a de-contamiantion box, it just seems right.
Tough