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“The double edge razor shines forth as an enduring rebuke to an age customarily enticed by the vapid promises of mass technology, Where technology is vague of purpose, the double edge razor is specific. Where technology is often blunt and crude; the double edge razor is elegant. Where the best of technology is for the few, the double edge razor speaks to the average man. Where technology is soulless, the double edge razor renders a man both confident and soulful. This marvelous shaving tool is modern man’s talisman against every wild offense the world throws at him. The double edge razor is a man’s companion and constant promissory of all the best he can hope for in this life. With his razor in hand, any man is transformed into a virtual prince of tides; he is always happiest when enveloped in a watery mix of soap, cream and steel.” – Charles Roberts

Although Charles is limiting himself to the razor in the paragraph above, it definitely reflects the “zeitgeist” of traditional shaving for me; the Zen-like character of applying warm, fragrant lather with a brush and shaving with a single blade razor. Its a skill (yes, skill) largely lost in today’s society.

This site is a supplement to my “how to shave” instructional videos found on YouTube, metacafe, blip,  and howcast.  After using the free Blogger/Blogspot service for five years I decided to “bite the bullet” and get a real website.  With the popularity of my shaving videos really starting to ramp up I just couldn’t get the features and functionality I wanted out of Blogspot.  So with the help of some very web-savvy shaving converts–who just happen to work at a full service digital media company–”Sharpologist” is born!

The main focus of “Sharpologist” will be traditional shaving, but there will also be material on other aspects of grooming and style too.  The goal is to make Sharpologist super-useful to the man new to traditional shaving and grooming, plus have enough extra content to remain useful to the more experienced.  That means clear, well-written tutorials on grooming (particularly traditional wet shaving) and reviews of products you need to know about.  There will also include the occasional “off topic” article.

Notice the top menu?  Clicking Shaving, Grooming, Style, etc. will bring up all the posts for that category.  If you hover your pointer over a menu item you may see additional items on that subject appear.

And while I advocate certain products and techniques, I promise not to get too preachy. We’ll build a community based on mutual assistance, a sense of humor and rock-solid advice from people who know what they’re talking about (I plan to have several “guest authors” helping).

Disclaimer

I’m not a barber nor a “shaving professional.”  Any views, reviews and commentary on this site should be read with that in mind. I am fairly educated on the subject of traditional shaving but it is a hobby rather than a profession so any advice or recommendations should not be considered to be carved in rock.

All reviews are written with my routines and preferences in mind: what works for me, may not work for you. As a result, I can’t take any responsibility for anything that may happen to your skin as a result of following any advice or recommendations contained within this blog.

I do not routinely accept sponsored posts – i.e. I am not remunerated by any of the companies you see featured here. Companies, brands and products are featured on this site entirely on their own merits (or lack thereof), and entirely at my discretion, for no other reason than I want to feature them.

I usually do not accept products for review: if a product appears on the market that generates enough interest I will usually just buy it if it is within my budget. However, acceptance of samples is not to be considered in any way a guarantee that a review will appear. I will always state if I have received a product free.