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Wet Shaving Talk For 19 July ’21

Sharpologist Wet Shave Talk Podcast Network
Sharpologist Wet Shave Talk Podcast Network
Wet Shaving Talk For 19 July '21
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You’re listening to Wet Shaving Talk powered by Sharpologist.com where we’re dedicated to preserving the art and skill of classic shaving. I’m your host Joe Borrelli and today is July 19th 2021.

  • On today’s show:
  • Fuzzy Face soaps closes
  • A razor from Chiseled Face
  • Butter Bean safety razor handles
  • Mag-T updated
  • Collectors Corner: Maestro Livi

Transcription

You’re listening to Wet Shaving Talk, powered by Sharpologist Com, where we’re dedicated to preserving the art and skill of classic Shaving host Joe Borrelli.

Today is July 19, 20 21.

All right, everyone, welcome back to the podcast on this beautiful July day here in South Florida, as it usually is at this time of the ear, it’s very hot and humid, but still nevertheless very nice day outside.

So today on the show, we have a few vendors, news from vendors coming out. We have Fuzzy Face Soaps shutting down. They announced just a few days ago that they will be shutting down operations and closing up shop. Fuzzy Face has been around for a little bit of time, so we’ll talk a little bit about them. And some of the soaps that have come out with have actually been privileged to use some of their products.

A new razor from Chiseled Face. Now, what’s up with that guy’s, Chiseled Face coming up with a new razor, very interesting to look at and just looking at the actual design and everything on that really impressed with the build quality on the Razor itself. And really it’s just awesome. I mean, honestly, the great vendor, I’ve been hearing much about this razor off and on for a few years, just really interested in seeing what this is going to come out to and see some of the reviews when some of these guys get these razors going on. So interesting to see that looking forward to hearing more about it also in the near future.

In addition to that, we have okay, if you’re if you guys are a fan of boxing or if you watch the movie Jackass before in your previous life or recently, Butterbean, the actual boxer has his own safety razor handles. Incredible to hear about that. I’m just like, as you can see, I can’t say much because it’s hilarious. This guy actually a safety razor handle. So I saw this on a post on Facebook just a few days ago. I thought it was pretty cool. He actually had it, and I just want to talk a little bit about it as well. It looked pretty interesting to see that on on Facebook as well and throughout the form. So, Yes, Butterbean, the wrestler or boxer, he does have his own set of safety razors handles as you can order. And he will autograph and all this good stuff, too. So it’s pretty cool to see that.

All right.

The mail call.

I did get a Mag T razor. I’ve been using that for a few weeks. I got some really interesting information coming out. I got in contact with the owner of the company and a couple of the people that were part of being able to make that razor and a reality cool concept. I’ll have some more about that coming up in the future, but we’ll talk a little bit about my initial thoughts.

And collectors Corner Meister Livy Straight Razors if you’re unfamiliar with my show, he is an Italian straight razor maker that has been making custom straight razors for several decades now. I believe about 20 or 30 years, and I think it’s since starting to get ready to retire, if not getting to the point of retiring. And just a few of the razors that this guys come up with has been really, really big for the wet shaving world and just cool stuff, great razors and great quality as well.

So, guys, without further Ado, Let’s get on with the show.

So recently I was scrolling on Facebook and I noticed that Fuzzy Face has decided to shut down. Shut up? They’re actually closing down, going out of business sale, not much going on with the notes. I couldn’t find out much about it off the Facebook post, and I didn’t really reach out to the vendor himself to find out, but they’re doing a 50% off sale until all the products are gone. That was today around, Oh, I’d say about three o’clock Eastern Standard Time that it was announced, or I think around that time. And I was really shocked to see that because I actually bought Fuzzy Face. So it was back in the day, probably about 5-6-7 years ago. I was using their stuff. I’ve tried it. I found it to be pretty good quality, decent soap.

It did a couple of fall scents as well, but a little bit of a shame to see that they’re going out of business now. They never had a website or anything. It was always an ETT shop. But if you are a fan of those soaps, I would highly recommend picking one of them up soon because you may not be able to get them anymore, at least brand new, or at least directly from Fuzzy Face himself.

That brings up the question, a lot of people bring up, and a lot of people talk about, like another wet Shaver going out of business or another wet shaving vendor going out of business or something. And that means the industry is using that. No, guys, it doesn’t because it is a difficult industry to do. And if you think about it, you’re making soaps and you’re doing this stuff at home or part time.

It’s a huge business when it comes to time management. I mean, you have a lot of people that are going to message you. I can tell you right now that if you call a Douglas Smythe of Phoenix artisan accoutrements that guy will tell you he probably gets close to 20 to 30, maybe even more PM’S on Facebook, emails, inquiries about products and stuff. And that’s a full time job at itself just to answer the questions and be there. And knowing that if you don’t answer the questions and you’re not supportive to the customers that you’ll be basically put out there, is that all you’re not supportive of? All you have no customer service skills. All this guys, this all this guys, that and it’s very difficult to just make a soap and be able to sell it without having to be there 24 7 Anybody being in a position of sales knows that today, this day and age, customer service has a lot to do with it. It’s not just buying something, sending it in the mail and that’s it. Maybe the majority customers might do that. But there are a lot of customers asking questions and asking you and inquiring about cents and performance and all that
stuff. So, I mean, it’s just a big deal. And it is a very difficult business to be into, especially when the return may not be that much. If you think about it, to sell 1,000 dollars worth of soaps
at 20 dollars, that’s a lot of soap you have to sell to be able to make a thousand dollars. You’re talking 10 soaps, 220 soaps, 400. You’re talking about 50 to 100 soaps just to make a regular salary that some people might be able to make, just working a regular day job. And that’s a lot of work, a lot of shipping, a lot of stuff like that, a lot of customer service, a lot of emails. So think about it, guys. That could be a reason. It could be that it could be a lot of other things, but some of the small vendors, it is a difficult business to be into. And I fully understand. So fuzzy. I do salute you. You made some great stuff in the past and I’ve used it, and I’ve actually been privy to trying your products. So it’s a shame to see you going. Hopefully we see you again soon. And guys, if you do have those soaps, hold on to them or if not, purchase them now because they may be gone for good, definitely take the opportunity to get them now.

I’m moving along now.

Chiseled Face came out of the new razor and really interesting to see that they came out with something along the lines of what they did. Now looking it up just now, I’m just going online. I’m scrolling through, and that’s just how I do a lot of things. There’s only a select few razors coming out, and that’s why it’s just getting to the point where you may not be able to get one right away, but you might be able to get one in the next several months. I think there’s only a limited addition for these razors right off the bat of maybe 10 or 50 or 25 or something like that he came out with first. I’m looking it up now, and it’s just I think it’s even off the site. I can’t even find it. Actually where I do my research is I’ll be scrolling through stuff and I’ll just screenshot it and then look at it and just say, Hey, look, this is awesome. This is what I found. And this is it. And then I go through later on and I’ll do that. I’ll find more stuff or whatever. And that’s how I honestly find my keep my notes and for the podcast itself.

So I’m looking it up right now. It does look like it’s a partial titanium razor. Looks like there’s a lot of time put into this razor as well. Just looking at some notes, a lot of time put in from Chiseled face and just how they did it and how they came up with this new concept. So really excited to see the initial reviews on that, especially when and honestly, when a vendor or somebody in the business goes ahead and says, Hey, I’m going to go and I’m going to build my own piece, my own razor. I’ve been making soaps. I understand the soap business.
I understand what the what shavers are looking for, and I’m going to go ahead and build my own razor upon what I think is good. You’ve seen Sterling do that. You’ve seen Phoenix artisan accoutrements do that. You’ve seen a couple of companies, like other companies going out and they’re doing it as well, and they’re just coming up with razors that are just Hey, look, I want razor Emporium. For one example, the guy fixes millions of razors or thousands of razors a year. And he said I’m going to come up with my own straight safety razor, take a design that’s been in the past and improve on it, because I think this is going to be ample, and this is going to be great for my customers and for the demand for the wet shaving world. So really interesting to see that. And just to see what these guys are coming up with. And it’s really exciting because it is fun. It is a fun business to be in and to see this. So if you haven’t checked it out, I’m looking it up right now, and that’s kind of why I’m going on a little bit too long on this, because it’s actually off the website, so I’m not sure if it’s not there anymore. I check Facebook real quick just to see if they have it. I apologize because I had to link all set up in to go and I can’t find it right now. So it’s a little bit on the on the outside here for this
razor, but I was really interested in it looks like titanium. And just to see, like yet another Soat maker come up with a razor, it’s really interesting, and I’m just really excited to see that as well. So, I mean, guys, if you haven’t seen a chiseled face, if you’re not a fan of their soaps, or if you never used it before, be ready, because now it’s definitely you’re going to see something really cool when it comes to the razor world two coming from them, because I was really, really intrigued by the razor itself.

So moving along guys.

You know, it’s it’s really interesting to see, you know, a celebrity come up with a razor. Now, I don’t know if you want to consider Butterbean a celebrity per se, but he was a professional actually. Guys, sorry about that. I just pulled up. I just got it. I found it. The Chisels Face Titanium razor. It’s an actual Pi 100% titanium and these racers are made in house by Chiseled Face. So I hate to go off the beaten path now and change up what I was talking about, but this is really important. I finally found the link and I apologize. 15 razors all sold out on us and we’re looking at just all of it done in house by the Chisel team work and just really just keeping it just real. I mean honestly, this is really interesting. No clog treatment or no clog design and as of yet, they have no name for the razor. So Yeah, check it out guys. I’ll leave the link in the show notes. Really awesome to see this razor come out. Sorry, I do apologize for going off and not being able to find it prior, but I just found it now. So awesome looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see it.

Okay, so moving on with Butterbean.

Okay, Butterbean safety razors. Butterbean was on Jackass the movie he beat up. I believe it was Johnny Knoxville or somebody else back in 2,000, 2,001 or 2,002 when that movie first came out. And Butterbean was really known to be one of those heavier boxes that would just knock people out within a few minutes or in the first round and really couldn’t handle too much more than that. He did get beat up quite a few times, but he does have his own line of safety razor handles which is pretty cool. So if you haven’t seen that guys, check it out.
It does come with I guess the person that posted on Facebook is it comes in an autographed card every time you buy one. So he is very active in the business. So check it out.
Butterbean safety razor handle handles and they look actually really cool. So when you get a moment, if you’re a fan of Butterbean or you don’t even know who he is, just know that there is something for the wet shaving world out there involving him.

Alright guys, to talk more about the Mag-t razor. You know, the Mag-t razor. I talked a little bit about it last week. I did purchase one. I got it actually relatively very fast. I got it within two days of ordering which is very nice and just been messing around with that razor with the magnets in and everything. And I have to say it is a little bit more on the aggressive side. I was a little bit shocked that this razor would be made for the masses. What was so aggressive? It was really aggressive, especially for head shaving and I guess it’s that open comb design.
So I will say this be a little bit hesitant if you do get this Razer when you start using it and understand that it might be it might be more aggressive than you might be accustomed to, or you might be expecting. So Yes, great Razer. I think it’s going to be a big hit in the wet shaving world. Once people can get over the design. It is a little bit more of an unorthodox design with the handle. It is a little weird. And the razor is made in India with Azami cover or Chrome finish, so it’s not stainless steel or anything like that, but that’s what also would keep the price down to around 50 dollars. Packaging was great. Razor came nice, came with blades, and I’ve been using it for a few days. I’m going to get more in detail without a review. I did get a hold of the company itself and was able to find the founder, which there isn’t very much online about it. And I’ll get you guys more information here in the next few weeks out. We’re going to be doing a review article on it soon and should be a really a good one too. I don’t think I’ve read anything else about this razor other than a few people with reviews. So it’s out there. It’s cool. And the reason why I picked it up like I mentioned before, it’s something different. It’s a different design, a different take on it. They put magnets in it instead of the actual top cap itself. It connects itself by magnet, so there’s no screw, there’s no clip or anything like that. It’s a magnetized razor, and they feel that that keeps the razor or the blade sharper longer. I’m not sure if I’m following them on that yet, but after I get a few weeks at the razor, I’ll probably be able to tell you guys more and see if that’s really the case. So be on the lookout for more information on the mag-t razor.

on Collectors Corner this week we have Metro Livy Straight Ragers. If you are unfamiliar with Metro Livi, well then you probably aren’t into the custom rate straight razor world. He has been around for several decades and has been probably one of the most influential people in the straight razor world. I mean, honestly, being able to make custom straight razors before custom services were a thing and still be able to make them to this day, I think he still make him to this day, I think he might have stopped as a 2,020 with COVID. It’s been slowing down a little bit about it and I really didn’t look too much into it. But just looking at his stuff, I’m really a fan. It comes in great packaging box. He does everything by hand everything himself. And he was actually recently interviewed as of 2020 with a magazine, a couple of magazines out there. So, Yes, he is still making razors. And the best part is they are great razors, and they’re really the original custom razor out there. I’ve heard Lin Abrams talk highly about him. He actually met him when he went to Italy and got a razor made in front of his right in front of him that was gifted to him by Maestro. Honestly, that itself is just a story that you’ll never see again. You may not see that in the wet shaving world ever again when it comes to straight razors with most of the modern technology and stuff. But just to know this micro live razors, you can get a couple of them for about 700 to 800, but a lot of them go into thousands and continue to stay there in that value. I think I’ve ever seen a mistorator drop down less than that. And just knowing that when you you get that razor, it’s completely
handmade by my stone self. And he puts a lot of time and effort and there are no two razors alike. So, guys, we got a semester Livy with more information. One thing, I’ve never used one of these razors. I’ve never been able to purchase one or had the opportunity to. And to be quite Frank, it’s a little bit out of my price range at the moment. I’ve bought some expensive stuff in the past, but right now I’m kind of holding off. Haven’t Parly purchased anything this year with the exception of the Mag razor and a couple of things, but I’m keeping
keeping it real clean just because I got to use up my stuff. I mean, I got so many soaps and stuff, I got to use it up and start really enjoying it before. I I don’t have it anymore. I mean, for goes bad or, you know, before. I don’t know. I’m just starting to let some of the stuff go to and then just get really I guess you get to that point wet Shaving, where you just start to really know what you like. You enjoy it and you start using it all the time. I have, like, three straight razors that I use pretty often. Three safety razors that I use. I do love vintage stuff more so than ever, but I just don’t use them every day because I like my three piece safety razors. I like my Dovo straight razor. I’m a real big fan of them, and I use them quite often, you know, really just having fun with that and just enjoying what I have. And I’ve been going to a lot of the same soap as well. And just knowing that you’re using a soap instead of letting it sit there, I mean, I’ve had some soaps that have probably been sitting in my countertop for, like, three to 5 years. I’m gonna be honest with you, and that’s how it is. It’s just like, Oh, man, I go to what I like and I guess I’m starting to go old school or I’m just starting to get, you know, I guess a little bit more on long lines of knowing what I like and just enjoying consistently good shave. Now, one thing I do keep doing is I keep using classic Shaving equipment, so I haven’t stopped that. I always use a brush, always use a safety razor or straight razor, and I’m always using high quality soap or cream and after shave as well, so I’m never going to stop doing that. But you have. Well, I keep purchasing everything I can find. Probably not anymore. I think I’ve tried mostly everything out there and a lot of the new stuff that’s coming out I’ll get when it comes time when I start using some of my goal was used. At least one or 2 stops completely and then post that picture on the podcast. Completely done. Like I have a whole soap empty. Done. I’m going to actually toss that container out and start being able to buy more stuff. Right. Got to make room. So I got to use it up.

All right, guys, that concludes the show for this week. I really appreciate you guys listening consistently for the last five years. It’s been great. We’re having a great time. I’m going to continue to do so and keep enjoying the wet Shaving world as well. So, guys, until our next show, which will be in two weeks from now, which will actually be the second of August.
Believe it or not, as always, remember, our show is powered by sharpologist com what’s your father didn’t teach you about Shaving. Special thanks to Mark AKA mantic59 for everything that he does in the West Shaving world and letting us use his platform. And most of all, you guys are listeners. I’ll see you on the second of August. Until then, shave straight and shave safe.

Bye bye now.

Joe Borrelli

Joe Borrelli

Joe Borrelli is a long-time wet shaving enthusiast and collector. He hosts the Wet Shaving News/Talk Podcast, runs his own self-funded website http://shavestraightandsafe.com/ and operates a YouTube channel to help inform the community of new information involving the wet shaving world. Joe holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, and currently works for the nation’s largest wine/spirits/beer retailer. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Linda & son Anthony, reading, writing, outdoor activities and collecting wet shaving apparel. Joe has also written several dozen articles for online publications such as Sharpologist and How to Grow a Mustache.View Author posts

4 thoughts on “Wet Shaving Talk For 19 July ’21”

  1. Sorry I couldn’t understand the podcast as I’m deaf and it isn’t closed captioned for us deafies to be able to understand what you’re saying!!!!

    1. Joe, I added a transcript for this and future podcasts in the show notes (and maybe previous ones, too). It’s my first try and I’m using an automated transcription so I’m sure I need to do a little more with worth the app but let me know if I’m on the right track!

      1. Thanks for your help on this as there’s few deaf wet shavers out there I haven’t met them yet but I am one of wet shaver and found that wet shaving is better than those multi blades razors! Been going thru for years pulling ingrown hair off my neck for years till about 4 yrs ago found out about wet shaving and fell in love with it and never looked back on old shaving stuffs that I used to do. Adios!

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