Good grooming.
Put to the test.

Merkur 38C review: my shave test with the Barber Pole

My rating: 9.5/10

A hands-on Merkur 38C review with original photos, a video shave test, and notes on weight, grip, blade choice, and comfort.

Merkur 34C review: a small razor put to the test

My rating: 9/10

My original Merkur 34C shave test, including preparation, blade choice, close-up photos, and how its short handle compares with the 38C.

Merkur 37C review: testing the slant bar

My rating: 8.5/10

A hands-on Merkur 37C review with the original shave conditions, packaging and design photos, and post-shave observations.

Merkur 23C Review

My rating: 8.4/10

A hands-on Merkur 23C review with original packaging and handle photos, the shave conditions, and close-up results.

Merkur Futur Review

My rating: 7.5/10

The original Merkur Futur adjustable-razor test, with design photos, shave settings, and close-up post-shave observations.

Edwin Jagger DE89 Review

My rating: 9.3/10

A hands-on Edwin Jagger DE89 review with original packaging photos, razor details, documented shave preparation, and the finished results.

Bevel Razor Review

My rating: 8/10

An original Bevel safety razor test with packaging and design close-ups, shave preparation, and photographs of the results.

OneBlade Razor Review

My rating: 8.5/10

An original OneBlade Core shave test with packaging photos, three passes, and a close look at the results and razor design.

Maggard Razors Review

My rating: 9/10

The original Maggard wet-shaving starter-kit test: MR18 razor, shaving brush, Ghost Town Barber soap, and shave-result photographs.

Dorco Prime Review

My rating: 7/10

The original Dorco Prime safety-razor starter-set review, with unboxing, razor construction photos, and observations from the first shave.

Harry’s Razors Review

My rating: 4/10

An original Harry’s razor and shave gel test, with unboxing photos, razor comparisons, and close-up shaving results.

Dollar Shave Club Review

My rating: 8.5/10

The original Dollar Shave Club starter-set review, including the razor, Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter, and photographs of the shave results.

Gillette Mach3 Review

My rating: 9/10

The original Gillette Mach3 shave test, with cartridge and handle comparisons, preparation notes, and post-shave photos.

Gillette SkinGuard Review

My rating: 8.7/10

The original Gillette SkinGuard test, with close-up razor comparisons, documented shave conditions, and photographs of the results.

Schick Hydro Stubble Eraser Review

My rating: 8/10

An original Schick Hydro Stubble Eraser shave test with design and result photos. The review discloses that Schick supplied the razor.

MicroTouch Tough Blade Review

My rating: 8.5/10

An original MicroTouch Tough Blade review with packaging and razor close-ups, shave conditions, and photographs of the results.

HeadBlade Moto Review

My rating: 9/10

The original HeadBlade Moto head-shaving test, including its rolling design, grip, and close-up before-and-after photos.

OneBlade Trimmer Review

My rating: 9/10

Original Philips Norelco OneBlade review with close-up photos, a beard-trimming test, and observations on the shave, grip, and battery.

MicroTouch Solo Review

My rating: 8.8/10

The original MicroTouch Solo trimming test, with attachment-comb comparisons, design close-ups, and photographs of the finished result.

Barbasol Original review: A good shave for less

Not scored

A thick lather without the brushwork, at a price that makes sense for everyday shaving. The tradeoff comes after rinsing.

Taylor of Old Bond Street Review

My rating: 9/10

A hands-on test of Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood shaving cream, with the original lather photos, shave results, and Tools of Men video.

C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream Review

My rating: 9/10

The original C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream test, including hand and brush lathers, shave photos, and the accompanying review video.

Proraso Shaving Cream Review

My rating: 9/10

The original Proraso green-label shaving cream review, with lather and shave photos, test conditions, and the accompanying Tools of Men video.

Chiseled Face Shave Soap Review

My rating: 8/10

A hands-on review of Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barber shave soap, with lather photos, original shave observations, and the review video.

Cella Shaving Cream Review

My rating: 8/10

A hands-on Cella shaving cream review with the original brush-lather demonstration, shave photos, and review video.

Body Shop Shaving Cream Review

My rating: 9/10

The original Body Shop Maca Root & Aloe shaving cream test, with lather photos, shaving results, and the accompanying review video.

Proraso Pre-Shave Cream Review

My rating: 9/10

An original Proraso pre-shave cream test with application photos, a safety-razor shave, and the Tools of Men video demonstration.

Taconic Shave Pre-Shave Oil Review

My rating: 8.6/10

A hands-on Taconic Shave unscented pre-shave oil review, with application photos and notes on consistency, scent, and the shave.

Nivea Post Shave Balm Review

My rating: 10/10

An original Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm review with packaging, consistency, and application photos from the test.

Dr. Squatch Pine Tar soap review: my ten-shower test

My rating: 7.5/10

I tested a bar of Dr. Squatch Pine Tar soap over about ten showers. Original photos and observations on grit, lather, scent, and how quickly it wore down.

Grooming Lounge Review: A Cut Above The Rest?

My rating: 8.5/10

A hands-on review of Grooming Lounge’s shave cream, aftershave, face scrub, body wash, and deodorant. The original review discloses the supplied samples.

Merkur 34C vs 38C: grip, weight and shave compared

A side-by-side look at the Merkur 34C and 38C, with measurements, close-up photographs and notes on grip and shave feel.

Mühle R41 vs Merkur 34C: open comb or closed comb?

How the Mühle R41 and Merkur 34C differ in head design, handling and shave feel, with side-by-side photographs.

Parker 96R vs Merkur 34C: handle length and control

The Parker 96R and Merkur 34C compared by weight, length, blade loading and performance, with photos and measurement charts.

Henson AL13 vs Merkur 34C: weight and shave feel

A comparison of the lightweight Henson AL13 and the Merkur 34C, covering grip, construction and the feel of the shave.

Parker 99R vs Parker 96R: which handle suits you?

Side-by-side photographs and a comparison of the Parker 99R and 96R, including handle length, weight and butterfly blade loading.

Merkur Futur vs Progress: two adjustable razors compared

The Merkur Futur and Progress compared by adjustment, head size, grip and shave performance, with close-up photographs.

Rockwell 6C vs Merkur 34C: adjustable plates or a fixed head?

How the Rockwell 6C’s interchangeable baseplates compare with the Merkur 34C’s fixed head, including handling and shave performance.

Parker 26C vs Mühle R41: open-comb razors compared

A closer look at the Parker 26C and Mühle R41, with side-by-side photos and differences in grip, construction and shave feel.

Merkur 37C vs 39C: two slant razors compared

The Merkur 37C and 39C share a slant head but differ in size and weight. Compare their handles, grip and shave feel.