Which Brush is Right for You? Plus Soaps, Razors & Everything Explained
Choosing Your Shaving Tools
A guide to brushes, soaps, razors, and technique—for those new to traditional wet shaving.
Why traditional wet shaving
Cartridge razors work. But multiple blades pulling across your skin, canned foam that dries out mid-shave, and expensive refills that get used past their prime—there's a better way.
Traditional wet shaving uses one sharp blade, natural soap that actually protects, and tools built to last decades. It costs less over time, produces less waste, and treats your skin better. The learning curve is real but short. Most people find their rhythm within a week.
Choosing a brush
The brush builds lather and lifts your whiskers for a cleaner cut. The bristle type determines feel, performance, and care requirements.
Synthetic bristle
High-quality fibres that work immediately—no break-in period. Dries quickly, travels well, requires minimal care. If you're unsure where to start, start here.
View synthetic brushesBadger bristle — essentials grade
Natural hair with good water retention. Slightly firmer feel. Our essentials grade offers traditional performance at an accessible price. Requires proper drying between uses.
View essentials badgerBadger bristle — premium grade
Denser knot, softer tips with good backbone. Builds richer lather with less effort. The choice for daily shavers who've committed to the ritual.
View premium badgerBadger bristle — luxury grade
Silver-tipped badger. Exceptionally soft with excellent spring. Creates the densest, most protective lather. A lifetime tool for those who want the best.
View luxury badgerOn badger grades: The difference is bristle softness and density. Higher grades feel gentler on skin and hold more lather. All grades work well—it's a matter of preference and budget.
Understanding shaving soap
Canned foam is convenient but thin. It dries out during your shave and offers minimal protection. Artisan soap creates thick, stable lather that stays slick and actually conditions your skin.
Our soaps are made with coconut oil in small batches. They work with any brush type.
What good lather looks like
Thick and glossy, like meringue. It should hold peaks and not dissipate within seconds. If it's thin or bubbly, you need more soap or less water.
Shaving bowls
Optional but useful. A bowl gives you space to build and store lather between passes. We make two types:
Timber bowls
Handturned from Australian hardwoods. Sized to fit our soap pucks precisely. Good weight, warm to hold, ages beautifully.
View timber bowlsPolymer bowls
3D printed from plant-based material. Larger diameter suits multiple methods. Lightweight, easy to clean, good for travel.
View all bowlsSafety razors
The name exists for a reason—they were invented to be safer than straight razors. One blade means one clean cut, not multiple passes from a cartridge's three to five blades dragging across your skin.
The adjustment period
Cartridge razors are forgiving. You can press hard and shave quickly because multiple blades compensate for poor technique. Safety razors require a lighter touch—let the weight of the razor do the work. Most nicks happen from pressing too hard, not from the blade itself.
Two designs
Butterfly (twist-to-open)
Doors open for easy blade loading. No loose parts. Good for beginners and travel.
View butterfly razorsThree-piece
Handle, base plate, and cap separate completely. Easier to clean thoroughly. Traditional design.
View three-piece razorsOn blades: Safety razor blades cost cents, not dollars. Change them often—a fresh blade cuts cleaner and safer than a dull one you're pressing harder to compensate for.
Basic technique
Traditional wet shaving has a learning curve, but it's shorter than you'd expect. Here's the process:
Prepare
Shave after a hot shower, or wash your face thoroughly with warm water. Heat softens whiskers and opens pores. This matters more than any product.
Build lather
Wet your brush, shake out excess water, and work it across the soap using back-and-forth strokes. Continue until thick lather forms on the brush—usually 20 to 30 seconds. Add small amounts of water if needed.
Apply
Paint the lather onto your face using circular motions. The brush lifts whiskers and deposits a protective layer. Cover everything you plan to shave.
Shave
Hold the razor at roughly 30 degrees. Use short strokes. Let the razor's weight provide pressure—don't push. Shave with the grain first. Rinse the blade often.
Second pass (optional)
Re-lather completely. Shave across the grain for a closer result. A third pass against the grain is possible once you're comfortable, but most people find two passes sufficient.
Finish
Rinse with cool water to close pores. Pat dry. Rinse your brush thoroughly and store it bristles-down to air dry.
Complete kits
If you'd rather not choose individual pieces, our kits include everything matched to work together: brush, bowl, soap, razor, and stand.
Essentials kit
Synthetic brush, artisan soap, and stand. Everything needed to start, without the razor (if you already have one or want to choose separately).
View essentials kitComplete kit
Badger brush, timber bowl, artisan soap, safety razor with blade sampler, and stand. The full setup.
View complete kitQuestions about which products suit your needs? Get in touch.
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