Which Brush is Right for You? Plus Soaps, Razors & Everything Explained
๐ช The Stuga Product Guide: How to choose which Brush, Soap & Razor is Right for You?
Transform your daily routine into a luxurious ritual with handcrafted Australian shaving tools
๐ Quick Navigation
โจ Why Traditional Wet Shaving Changes Everything
๐ฐ Massive Long-Term Savings
Safety razor blades cost pennies vs. dollars for cartridges. A $200 investment pays for itself within a year.
๐ฟ Better for Your Skin
One sharp blade = less irritation than 3-5 dull ones. Natural soaps nourish instead of stripping your skin.
๐ Environmental Impact
Zero plastic waste. Safety razors and natural soaps last decades, not weeks.
๐๏ธ Choosing Your Perfect Shaving Brush
Your brush is the heart of traditional wet shaving. It builds protective lather and lifts whiskers for the perfect cut. Here's how to choose the right one for your needs:
Synthetic Bristle Brushes
Perfect for: First-time traditional shavers, travel, quick daily routines
- Instant performance - No break-in period required
- Lightning fast drying - Ready for next use quickly
- Superior hygiene - Doesn't harbor bacteria like natural hair
- Consistent lather - Reliable performance every time
- Vegan-friendly - No animal products
3rd Grade Badger Hair
Perfect for: Travel, smaller beards, natural hair introduction
- Compact 19mm knot - Ideal for travel and precision work
- Natural badger hair - Experience traditional materials
- Acceptable lather quality - Good performance for the price
- Shorter bristles - Faster drying than larger brushes
- Budget-friendly entry - Into natural hair brushes
2nd Grade Badger Hair
Perfect for: Daily shavers wanting the best balance of performance and value
- 22mm dense knot - More hair = thicker, richer lather
- Ideal firmness - Perfect backbone for building premium lather
- Best value proposition - Professional results without premium price
- Versatile performance - Works with all soap types beautifully
- Durable construction - Will last for decades with proper care
Silver Tip Badger Hair
Perfect for: Connoisseurs who want the ultimate traditional shaving experience
- Premium bristle texture - Incredibly soft tips with strong backbone
- Ultimate performance - Creates the richest, most luxurious lather
- Silky smooth feel - Professional barber-quality experience
- Lifetime investment - Heirloom-quality craftsmanship
- Handmade perfection - Each brush individually crafted
๐ก Pro Tip: How to Test Brush Quality
Press, don't stroke! When choosing a brush, gently press the bristles to test firmness. You want backbone that springs back, not just soft tips. This firmness is what creates thick, protective lather by properly agitating the soap.
๐งผ Why Artisan Shaving Soap Changes Everything
๐ซ The Problem with Canned Foam
โ What's Wrong:
- Thin, inadequate protection
- Dries out quickly during shave
- Harsh chemicals strip natural oils
- Expensive per use
- Environmental waste
โ Artisan Soap Benefits:
- Thick, meringue-like protection
- Stays slick throughout shave
- Natural ingredients nourish skin
- Incredible value - lasts months
- Zero waste packaging
๐ฅฅ Our Coconut Oil Formula
Our handmade artisan shaving soaps are crafted with premium coconut oil that creates an incredibly rich, protective lather. Unlike mass-produced soaps, each bar is made in small batches in our Southern Highlands workshop.
โจ What Makes Our Soap Special:
- Creates meringue-like lather - Thick, long-lasting protection
- Nourishes while it protects - Coconut oil conditions skin
- Amazing signature scents - Carefully crafted fragrances
- Lasts 3-6 months - Incredible value for daily shavers
- Perfect for multiple passes - Doesn't dry out or dissipate
๐ฅฃ Shaving Bowls: Wood vs 3D Printed
The right bowl transforms your lathering experience. Here's how to choose and use each type:
๐ชต Handmade Wooden Bowls
Perfect Fit System: Our artisan shaving soap pucks drop perfectly into wooden bowls - no sliding, no mess.
How to Use:
- Method 1: Drop soap puck directly into bowl and lather
- Method 2: Build initial lather in tin, then transfer to bowl for whipping
- Perfect weight - Stays put during vigorous lathering
- Natural materials - Sustainably sourced and finished
Benefits:
- Precision engineered for our soap pucks
- Beautiful natural grain patterns
- Excellent heat retention
- Will last decades with proper care
๐จ๏ธ 3D Printed Polymer Bowls
Maximum Versatility: Larger internal diameter accommodates multiple lathering methods.
Three Ways to Use:
- Method 1: Drop whole soap tin inside bowl (most popular)
- Method 2: Remove puck and place in bowl (may slide slightly)
- Method 3: Build lather in tin, transfer to bowl for finishing
- Easy cleaning - Smooth polymer surface wipes clean
Benefits:
- Ultimate flexibility for different soaps
- Lightweight for travel
- Modern precision manufacturing
- Biodegradable material
๐ช Safety Razors: Actually Safer Than Cartridges
๐ค "But Are They Really Safe?"
This is the #1 question we get. The truth? Safety razors are actually safer than modern cartridges when you understand the physics:
โ Cartridge Problems:
- 3-5 blades = multiple cuts per stroke
- Constant clogging between blades
- Dull blades require more pressure
- Expensive - you keep dull blades too long
- Plastic waste in landfills
โ Safety Razor Benefits:
- One sharp blade = one clean cut
- No clogging - easy to rinse
- Always sharp - blades cost pennies
- Less pressure needed = less irritation
- Minimal waste - just the blade
๐ฏ The Golden Rules of Safety Razor Use
๐ Most Important Rule: Let Weight Do the Work
The razor's weight provides all the pressure needed. The harder you press, the more the blade cuts into your skin. Think of it as guiding the razor, not forcing it.
๐ฏ Angle
Same angle as disposable razor - about 30 degrees to your face
โ Pressure
Barely touching - let gravity and weight do the cutting
๐ Strokes
Short, confident movements - not long sweeping strokes
๐งผ Rinse
Frequently! No clogging means easy rinsing
โก Master the Traditional Wet Shaving Technique
1๏ธโฃ Pre-Shave Preparation
Hot water is your best friend. Take the hottest shower your skin can handle, or wash your face thoroughly with hot water. This softens whiskers and opens pores.
Pro Tip: Shave immediately after showering for the best results. Your whiskers are at their softest, and your skin is perfectly prepared.
2๏ธโฃ Building Perfect Lather
This is where traditional shaving shines. Your artisan soap and quality brush create protection that canned foam can't match.
The Stuga Lathering Method:
- Rinse brush with warm water - shake out excess
- Load the brush using back-and-forth motions on soap (not circular)
- Work for 15-30 seconds until lather forms on brush
- Transfer to bowl (if using) and whip to meringue consistency
- Add water gradually if too thick - aim for yogurt-like consistency
Goal: Thick, protective lather that doesn't dissipate or dry out during your shave.
3๏ธโฃ The Perfect Shave
Apply lather with brush using circular motions - this lifts whiskers and applies protective coating.
Multi-Pass Technique for Best Results:
- Pass 1: Always with the grain (direction hair grows)
- Re-lather completely between each pass
- Pass 2: Across the grain for closer results
- Pass 3 (optional): Against the grain - master the first two passes first!
Your artisan soap provides enough rich lather for 3 full passes, creating the closest, most comfortable shave possible.
4๏ธโฃ Post-Shave Care & Storage
Finish with cool water to close pores, then pat dry with a clean towel.
Proper Tool Care:
- Brush: Rinse thoroughly, shake out water, hang bristles-down on stand
- Razor: Rinse clean, shake dry, store safely
- Soap: Let air dry completely to maximize lifespan
- Bowl: Quick rinse and dry - ready for next use
๐ Complete Shaving Kits - Everything You Need
Why buy individual pieces when you can get a complete system designed to work together perfectly?
โจ Complete Shaving Kit - Our Most Popular
What's Included:
- 2nd Grade Badger Hair Brush (22mm)
- Wooden Shaving Bowl
- Artisan Shaving Soap (your choice of scent)
- Safety Razor + Blade Sampler
- Wave XL Stand for organization
Why This Kit Works:
- Perfect soap-to-bowl sizing
- Brush density ideal for our soap formula
- Everything coordinates and complements
- Save $51 vs buying individually
- Ready to use out of the box
๐ค Still Not Sure? Start with Individual Pieces
Try our artisan soap or a quality brush first. Once you experience the difference, you'll understand why complete systems work so much better together.
Ready to Transform Your Daily Shave?
Join thousands of customers who've discovered why traditional wet shaving isn't just better - it's a daily luxury you'll actually look forward to.
โจ Handcrafted in the Southern Highlands, NSW โข Built to last decades, not months โจ