Which Brush is Right for You? Plus Soaps, Razors & Everything Explained

The Stuga Product Guide: How to Choose Your Brush, Soap & Razor

Transform your daily routine into a considered ritual with handcrafted Australian shaving tools.

Why Traditional Wet Shaving Changes Everything

Massive Long-Term Savings

Safety razor blades cost cents vs dollars for cartridges. A $200 investment pays for itself within a year.

Better for Your Skin

One sharp blade means less irritation than 3–5 dull ones. Natural soaps nourish instead of stripping.

Lower Environmental Impact

Minimal waste. Safety razors and natural soaps last decades, not weeks.

Choosing Your Perfect Shaving Brush

Your brush builds protective lather and lifts whiskers for the perfect cut.

Beginner friendly

Synthetic Bristle Brushes

Perfect for: First-time traditional shavers, travel, quick daily routines

  • Instant performance — no break-in period
  • Fast drying — ready for next use
  • Hygienic — resists harbouring bacteria
  • Consistent lather every time
  • Vegan-friendly
Shop Synthetic Brushes →
Entry natural

3rd Grade Badger Hair

Perfect for: Travel, smaller beards, natural-hair introduction

  • Compact 19 mm knot — precise and packable
  • Natural badger hair — traditional feel
  • Acceptable lather quality for the price
  • Shorter bristles — faster drying
  • Budget-friendly pathway into natural hair
Shop 3rd Grade Badger →
Most popular
Sweet spot

2nd Grade Badger Hair

Perfect for: Daily shavers wanting the best balance of performance and value

  • 22 mm dense knot — thicker, richer lather
  • Ideal firmness for premium lather building
  • Best value proposition — pro results without the premium price
  • Versatile performance with all soaps
  • Durable construction — decades with proper care
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Luxury grade

Silver Tip Badger Hair

Perfect for: Connoisseurs who want the ultimate traditional shaving experience

  • Premium bristle texture — incredibly soft tips with backbone
  • Ultimate performance — richest, most luxurious lather
  • Silky smooth feel — barber-quality experience
  • Lifetime investment — heirloom-level craftsmanship
  • Handmade — each brush individually crafted
Shop Silver Tip Badger →

Pro Tip: How to Test Brush Quality

Press, don’t stroke. Gently press the bristles to test firmness. Backbone that springs back (with soft tips) is what creates thick, protective lather.

Why Artisan Shaving Soap Changes Everything

The Problem with Canned Foam

What’s wrong

  • Thin, inadequate protection
  • Dries out quickly during the shave
  • Harsh chemicals strip natural oils
  • Expensive per use
  • Creates unnecessary waste

Artisan soap benefits

  • Thick, meringue-like protection
  • Stays slick throughout the shave
  • Natural ingredients nourish skin
  • Incredible value — lasts months
  • Low-waste packaging

Our Coconut Oil Formula

Our handmade artisan shaving soaps are crafted with premium coconut oil to create rich, protective lather. Small-batch, Southern Highlands workshop.

What makes our soap special

  • Meringue-like lather — thick, lasting protection
  • Nourishes while it protects — coconut oil conditions skin
  • Signature scents — carefully crafted fragrances
  • Lasts 3–6 months — excellent value
  • Perfect for multi-pass shaves — doesn’t dry out
Shop Artisan Shaving Soaps →

Shaving Bowls: Wood vs 3D Printed

The right bowl transforms your lathering experience.

Handmade Wooden Bowls

Perfect Fit System: Our artisan pucks drop perfectly into wooden bowls — no sliding, no mess.

How to use

  • Method 1: Drop puck in and lather
  • Method 2: Build in tin, transfer to bowl
  • Perfect weight — stays put while whipping
  • Natural materials — sustainably finished

Benefits

  • Precision-matched to our pucks
  • Beautiful grain; tactile feel
  • Excellent heat retention
  • Made to last

3D Printed Polymer Bowls

Maximum versatility: Larger internal diameter suits multiple methods.

Three ways to use

  • Method 1: Drop whole soap tin inside (most popular)
  • Method 2: Remove puck into bowl (may slide slightly)
  • Method 3: Build in tin, finish in bowl
  • Easy cleaning — smooth surface wipes clean

Benefits

  • Ultimate flexibility
  • Lightweight for travel
  • Modern precision manufacturing
  • Biodegradable material
Browse All Shaving Bowls →

Safety Razors: Actually Safer Than Cartridges

“But are they really safe?”

This is the #1 question we get. The truth: safety razors are often safer than cartridges when you understand the physics.

Cartridge problems

  • 3–5 blades = multiple cuts per stroke
  • Clogging between blades
  • Duller sooner → more pressure → irritation
  • Expensive — you keep dull blades too long
  • Plastic waste

Safety razor benefits

  • One sharp blade = one clean cut
  • No clogging — easy rinse
  • Always sharp — blades cost cents
  • Less pressure — less irritation
  • Minimal waste — just the blade

The Golden Rules of Safety Razor Use

Most important rule: let the weight do the work

The razor’s weight provides the pressure. Guide — don’t press.

Angle

About 30° to your face (similar to a disposable).

Pressure

Barely touching. Gravity + razor mass = cut.

Strokes

Short, confident strokes — not long sweeps.

Rinse

Rinse frequently — it won’t clog like cartridges.

Master the Traditional Wet Shaving Technique

Pre-shave preparation

Hot water is your friend. Shower first or wash thoroughly with hot water to soften whiskers and prepare skin.

Pro tip: Shave immediately post-shower — whiskers are soft, skin is ready.

Building perfect lather

This is where traditional shaving shines. Your artisan soap and quality brush create protection canned foam can’t match.

The Stuga lathering method

  1. Rinse brush with warm water — shake out excess
  2. Load the brush using back-and-forth motions on soap (not circular)
  3. Work 15–30 s until lather forms on the brush
  4. Transfer to bowl (if using) and whip to meringue consistency
  5. Add water gradually if too thick — aim for yoghurt-like

Goal: Thick, protective lather that doesn’t dissipate mid-shave.

The perfect shave

Apply lather with the brush using circular motions — this lifts whiskers and lays a protective film.

Multi-pass technique

  • Pass 1: With the grain
  • Re-lather completely between passes
  • Pass 2: Across the grain
  • Pass 3 (optional): Against the grain — master the first two first

Our soap provides enough rich lather for three full passes.

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, hang bristles-down
  • Razor: Rinse clean, shake dry, store safely
  • Soap: Air dry fully to maximise lifespan
  • Bowl: Quick rinse and dry

Complete Shaving Kits — Everything You Need

Why buy pieces when you can get a system designed to work together perfectly?

Complete Shaving Kit — Our Most Popular

What’s included

  • 2nd Grade Badger Hair Brush (22 mm)
  • Wooden Shaving Bowl
  • Artisan Shaving Soap (your scent choice)
  • Safety Razor + Blade Sampler
  • Wave XL Stand for organisation

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

Get the Complete Kit — Save $51 →

Still not sure? Start with individual pieces

Try our artisan soap or a quality brush first. Once you feel the difference, the full system makes perfect sense.

Ready to transform your daily shave?

Join thousands who’ve discovered why traditional wet shaving isn’t just better — it’s a daily luxury you’ll look forward to.

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