For some reason, today one of your videos appeared among YT's suggestions for me. So, I watched it. As one who began shaving LONG before you were born, the renewed interest among men of your generation in techniques and products of the past is somewhat interesting. I see that some of the old skills and methods appear to have been lost and ease with which we can communicate these days has permitted other approaches to gain levels of acceptance that would not have been possible in the past. It seems that shared nostalgia is fun for young people, too. I could pass on suggestions from the two generations who taught me but why deprive you of the discovery process? However, in the past, at least here in the U.S., it was uncommon to use a separate bowl to create lather. In fact, a shaving bowl was something quite different (and useful). We swiped the wet brush over the soap puck in our mugs just enough to pick up an adequate amount in order to create lather when applied to the face, using friction between the beard and brush to do the job...much better than brush against fingers. A massively thick lather is entirely unnecessary. What counts is what's between the skin and razor and whether it's holding water against the hair. Once that's done, I squeeze the remaining lather from the brush back into the mug and cover it. That saves a large amount of soap and keeps the puck's surface soft. A single cake thus lasts a very long time when most if it isn't being flushed down the drain. In the winter, when our houses were colder than now, we would sometimes use shaving scuttles (actually argyles). I didn't like them because they could melt the soap. But the warm lather did feel good. Anyhow, have fun re-learning the past. When you teach your sons to shave you'll be giving them memories that they will treasure.

@robertwhite2615

5 жыл бұрын

wholeNwon )

I'm brand new to wet shaving. I appreciate your videos so much!

@xRedFlag

7 жыл бұрын

Same here His reviews are spectacular ^^

@KapinKrunch

7 жыл бұрын

Sammy Sutton hes legit

@darrenconn3847

7 жыл бұрын

New as well. Purchased many of these products to start based on this vid. 1st shave wasn't that good. Followed up by one of my closest shaves and couldn't be happier thanks Nick!

I must admit, Nick is the very reason I began wet shaving. Landing on his channel initially was a fluke, but he is tops. Man oh man do I love that Panterei Brush.

Thank you Nick for all your loyal reviews and videos they mean a lot to me and I'm thankful for you for taking the time and making them for us happy new year buddy.

Nick, thanks for posting this! I'm still using a lot of the products you chose last year and I love them! Looking forward to trying some of these out and another great year of shaving!

Happy New Year Nick! Thank you for all your reviews of the many different shaving products and DE Blades out there. I have learned so much about wet shaving from you. keep up the good work! Eric :)

I really like the way you get straight to the point in your videos. You're polite as well. I usually rock a "styled" beard and as you know with various different hair growths the shaving cream/soap/brush and razor can make a HUGE difference. You've helped me a lot in my research process to make my shave a good experience. Thank you Sir.

Happy New Years to you and your family Nick. Been looking forward to this video...I was hoping you would do a shave with these like in the past videos :P Thanks again for your videos. I have really learned a lot from watching them. Again, thank you very much and looking forward to all of your upcoming videos

Absolute awesome list Nick. So glad you highlighted Gondolier. That is not talked about much on you tube and it is an incredible scent and performer. The aftershave/cologne match to it is great too. Happy New Year. Chris in N.H.

Welcome Back Dr. Nick I hope your New Year was well.

+1 for gondolier, I can't get enough of that scent. Also love the Merkur and I have that same comb and stand haha. Great selections all around, glad to see you back with another video!

Man I wait for this video every year And your 2014 setup got me started in wet shaving Thank you so much for your continued efforts that you put into this channel This is great ,

Just started wet shaving and I have to say there is nothing like it!!!!! As a beginner I do have basic wet shave gear but I know that in time I will be upgrading - there is so much to learn.

love the videos man. I've learned so much from watching you. learned good technique as well as great gear. keep it up man.

Thank you! Purchased the Kent 5T , 7T and FOT. Never realized how crappy ACE combs were. These ROCK!

Thank you Nick - I have been waiting for this video for a while and I'm so hyped I am the first viewer! Great to see you Champ! Happy New Year!!

@nickshaves

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks man!

thanx nick for another great vid, im from chicago as you were, and i always look for ward to ur vids, wish i could lather like you, but its a work in progress, keep it up best regards, Eddy!

Great video! I just got one of those Maggard synthetic brushes yesterday as well. Works great for all the reasons you described, and at under $12, what a great price point!

Thanks for the recap of 2016 gear. New to wet shaving and from your past videos I bought the 34c and Pre de Provence #63. Both are great recommendations and yes the Pre de Provence smells amazing.

Merkur 34C is the best I've used. Great video Nick!

I absolutely love the perma-sharp blades!! Thx for the vid.

I have the maggards synthetic brush I use it everyday and love it. I even bought one for my dad. I currently use a merkur slant but I will look into an old Gillette. thanks for all the videos man you really helped me a lot when I first got into wet shaving over a year ago.

your videos and reviews are awesome nick, one of the reasons i got into wet shaving!

as for brushes i have fallen in love with 26mm synthetic knot. its just the right size and i bought 3 in 2016 and one was from Maggard. a winner indeed.

Picked up the Merkur 34c for xmas based on your recommendation. It's my first safety razor and I really like it so far.

Yesss! You're back, and with an annual update! Day made.

Great video Nick! Absolutely love Snake Bite!! Its amazing!!

Awesome video Nick!

Gondoiler was my first Paa soap, & the gondoiler aftershave is awesome too. Pair them both w/ Mont Blanc - Legend cologne smells just like the soap/aftershave. Great vid & Happy new year !

Love your videos!

love the channel, keep it up!

Thanks Nick, good video as always. Keep it up.

I bought the 34c because of your recommendation and love it. Been using it 6 months and prefer it to my straight razor.

Another great video, Nick! Hope to see a horsebrush review one day. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Yep been checking every day for this

Fantastic review , Nick I was waiting for that. totally agree with You about Merkur 34C. I tried many, many razors from Maggard to Edwin Jeagger and otners, for some reason 34C feels the most versatile and comfortable. Thank You for all Your great reviews in the past years . Looking forward for more. Please keep making them. Happy New Year to You and Your wife. chris

@shave-a-thon3415

7 жыл бұрын

Check these links. Are those Merkurs made in Pakistan or Germany? www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Merkur-Solingen-Heavy-Duty-Double-Edge_150932938.html www.alibaba.com/product-detail/double-edge-safety-razor-merkur-34c_172423664.html

*Ahhh I've been WAITING for this video.* *:D*

@nickshaves

7 жыл бұрын

Me too! Glad I finally had the time to make it

@bbbvvhk

7 жыл бұрын

Danmandingo. me too

@KapinKrunch

7 жыл бұрын

Danmandingo same I love these shave gear videos, they are basically a pre made wish list...lol

Nick , i really like your review style and soap reviews , i am no newbie and have many razors, brushes, soaps , blades , pre-shaves ; aftershaves etc, with that said .. This was a great video even though i am watching it almost a year later , By your recommendations and trusted picks .... i just ordered the Pomade: Suavecito, the Comb: Kent R7T, the Production Shaving Soap: Pre de Provence No. 63 & Artisan Shaving Soap: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Gondolier and the Cologne: Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme , Hope you keep doing what you been doing for the wet shaving community for many years to come . you will have this subscriber for the life of your channel .

Im also very pleased with the Perma-sharp - It has many smooth and comfortable shaves in one blade.

Great to see another video Nick. I also have that same Kent comb. They make awesome stuff. Also, you should try the YSL L'homme Intense. Its a bit pricier, but worth it in my opinion.

I agree on the perma-sharps. I bought 600 of them this year in two batches. I use them almost all the time.

great video mr nick

Nick, Been using a safety razor (that one with the pawn stars dude on it)and cremo creme for years. Then i stumbled on this video. So far i have ordered the perma sharps, phoenix shave soap (chocalte bourbin scent), snkae bit splash, stirling shave balm, maggort brush and the wcs shave stand. I chose the Edwin jagger over the merkur as at 6'6 my hands are big and I like the extra length of the Edwin jagger thanks for the videos.

great video

I love the 1305 and the way it looks, only brush I use...love the cream and green!!!!

Great video,. The synthetic brushes are so much better than they use to be, and at a good price too.

I bought Perma-Sharp blades on your recommendation from another one of your videos and they are really good blades. My go-to blades from now on (along with Astra SPs)

God bless you and your favorites Nick.. Personally, I favor the Italian Proraso creams and soaps.. I enjoy the Aptiva after shave balm for scent and for comfort.. I know you highly praise the Merkur 34C however, myself I prefer the E. J.. "DE89". As far as Throat Cutters go I love the 5/8 BOKER and the 5/8 DOVO both made in SOLINGEN, GERMANY.. GOD BLESS and take good care of yourself.. BEST WISHED TO YOU & YOURS!!!

Great video!

Bought a Viking Godfather razor, love it. Snake Bite on the way, just got some Clubman stuff, well on my way.

Love the video. I always look forward to your videos because we seem to have the same tastes on alot of things. Im going to try the Snake Bite soon, alot of people seem to like it, so your not alone. What is your post shave routine?

Welcome back Nick! I bought a Gillette SuperSpeed from Delta Echo based on your recommendation earlier in the year.

@nickshaves

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! I hope you like the razor

@robdob6012

7 жыл бұрын

nick shaves is PAA just Synergy rebranded?

@leveluplifestyle5727

7 жыл бұрын

RobdoB 601 PAA is a couple Douglas and Fran Synergy was a soap made by Douglas to bring people back to his blog where as PAA is more focused on soaps as the product. They also have an off shoot from PAA called Crown King simpler soaps than PAA made to be mass produced for chain stores.

I’m with you Nick. The 34C is a great razor but my Gillette Slim is my favorite.

You got me into wet shaving and i love it now! Hears to good health and more videos!!

@nickshaves

7 жыл бұрын

That makes me so happy to hear! My best to you and your family - Nick

Waiting for your 2017 gear!!

Nice video. Been waiting for this. Nd we got a fragrance to. That is a good one. Try boss bottled next. I feel like if you like l'homme you might like that. I got into fragrances through wet shaving. Now I have 90 bottles.

keep doing your thing true gentleman

Use the Merkur 34c to finish off my D.E. blade when it feels no longer sharp on my regular non slant D.E. razors. Definitely prefer the shorter lighter handle version. Another great review.

Nice video! The scent of PAA Gondolier is an exact copy of the Montblanc Legend (EDT).

Finally! Great video and awesome choices! I agree with a lot of them. CaD, Gondolier and Cavendish were actually the first three PAA soaps I bought, and I think they still remain my three favorites! Pré de Provence No. 63 is an unbelievable scent. It's so good. I like your description of the scent - "like a hot summer night" - because that's exactly what it smells like! The only thing I don't like about it is the tin. It easily gets dented if you are not extremely careful with it. I definitely agree with your "modern" razor choice. Even though I have expensive razors like iKon in my shaving den, I keep coming back to my Merkur 34C - It is such an excellent razor. It was my first DE razor, and I bought it per your recommendation. Thanks. Also, which Fine aftershaves do you particularly like besides Platinum and Snake Bite? Happy New Year, Nick! And take care.

34C is my go to as well. But when I have more facial hair I gotta say Maggard's MR5 with V3 head really gives a great shave.

great video bro

New camera for christmas? Video looks sharper and more vivid

I've been waiting for this :D

This is a great video! Thanks Nick. Would you recommend the LS brush over the Stirling badger brush?

Nick! Where have you been!? I made it a custom to shave only when a new video of "Nick Shaves" come out. It's been awhile since you made one because I now have a full beard with dreadlocks and I think a squirrel moved into the right side of my face it's a great place for him to burrow.

Grazie Nick :)

Great choices for your products of the year. I really like PAA and love CK. Have you tried their shampoo/conditioning bars? they are awesome. I love the CaD and the Sandalwood.

Hey NIck, I'm new to wet shaving and I know for most people the best route is to order shaving soap samples as opposed to ordering the whole puck. Do you think you might be able to make a video on how to use the samples or what would be the best way? I know you don't really use samples based off of the videos I've seen you make but if it's something you can make that would be really cool. I appreciate your videos and it really brought out my enthusiasm for learning how to wet shave. Believe it or not you're the main reason that I started getting into it. Continue the great work man.

Nick, great video! Would you be up to doing a review of the Rainbow double edge blade made by Lord? I'm really enjoying the smoothness of the blade and would value your opinion.

I just switched from cartridge shaving so you have kind of become my virtual Yoda! There is just so much out there so I didn't know where to start. I bought the cheapest razor I could as I wasn't sure if I was going to stick with it and am now regretting that move. Now that I am nearing the end of my standing shaving gel, I am hunting for good creams/soaps. Thanks for your suggestions!

Great video Nick! New subscriber here.

you should try the switchback 400 synthetic. it is pretty nice. it has 2 knots. one with backbone and one without much.

yeah.. im new to DE wet shaving.. guess which razor I got from santa... thanks for the videos/advice nickshaves..

Love your insight man. I've been doing the safety razor thing for almost two years now using the Edwin Jagger DE Extra Long handle, closed comb. I'm looking for a more aggressive, or as you say, efficient razor. Would you suggest an open comb or a slant style as my next step? Been looking at the Muhle R102 or the Merkur 34c

I've been watching a lot of your videos and they are full of great info. Thank you. Here's a question for you. Do you shave every day? I ask because I'm in the military and have to. I currently use a Stirling soap, splash and balm, Personna razors along with a handle I got ok amazon along with a cheap brush. With all that are their products you find to be cost effective? A large soap seems to last only about month. To me that seems fast. Any input....? Thanks in advance

Nick could you please review a Kiss My Face shaving cream in the future? I really love their shaving creams, but would love to know what you think. Keep up the great work/shaves Nick!

if you like suavecito, you should give layrite a try. I think the scent is better and washes out the same.

Since you got into a few non shaving grooming products I was curious if you had any suggestions for a decent deodorant. I'm really liking the performance and more natural ingredients that I am finding in a lot of the shaving products that I have been using and I would like to find a deodorant along the same line.

Hey Nick. How would you say that Semogue 1305 compares to their 620? I've been looking to pick up the 620 but am curious to see if you think this is a better brush. I picked up a Semogue 830 after watching your 2015 goty video and Love it, but when I have more than a couple days growth, I could use something with a bit more backbone. I value and trust your opinion (your blade recommendations have worked very well for me also) and thanks in advance. Be good.

Hey Nick, I bought the Pre de Provence No. 63 shaving soap and it is loose in the tin. How do I maintain the soap and keep it from getting gooey and slimy from water getting underneath the soap? Do I lather in the tin? Or out?any idea how to care for soap pucks like this? It smells amazing btw, you are 100% RIGHT!

Pantarei is very beautiful and well-made brushes. I like it.)

Happy New Year

@nickshaves

7 жыл бұрын

Happy new year - Nick

Watching this in soon to be November hoping for the shaving gear of 2017 video will be uploaded next year!!!

@ridgebringger6520

6 жыл бұрын

I've got into wetshaving because of you and a long time fan. Excited for the next vid🤙🏼

#63 is amazing and underrated. It's a daily soap for me. I can't get the soap dialed in with my semogue 830, it works excellent with my razorock plissoft. Any tips on lathering 63 with my 830. Happy New Year buddy.

I agree with your assessment of the Semogue 1305. I've used that one and the Semogue 2000 and there is a difference between the quality of the hair. The 1305 just seems to fluff into a better brush than the bristles of the 2000. I was wondering if the Semogue 1800 is the same knot as used in the 1305 (looks the same on line). If so it gets you away from the ugly factor of the 1305 with the same quality knot.

Can you do a video on the blades grim smolder soap

Have you tried the synthetic brush from Mühler? I've heard the silver tip fibre is really good

please review the ikon x3!

Second the permasharp. I've tried 12 different brands and the permasharp have come out top. I never ever cut myself with these blades, and I don't get irritation (use a Muhle R41.) I have really coarse thick facial hair, but also have super sensitive skin on my neck. These blades work perfectly for me.

bless your heart.....GONDOHLEER.....:) great choices. I love the 63. greaaat scent and performance. I love it. I actually love the semogue boar brush style:)

Come on Nick! When you gonna do your 2017 video!! I'm just getting started in wet shaving so, need some stuff.

Thanks for this 'Gear of the Year' video. While the Merkur 34C HD is an excellent safety razor for beginners, it's too bad more video reviewers don't recognize the long-term value (and utility) of adjustable razors. The Merkur Progress shaves very smoothly from very mild aggressiveness to a moderately aggressive shave, but the recently released Parker Variant improves many issues bothering Merkur Progress owners (handle, adjustment knob, balance, lather drainage holes). The Parker Variant adjustable safety razor would seem to be a better recommendation for new wet-shavers since it will grow with your skill-level and shaving needs. Hopefully you get a chance to review the adjustable Parker Variant (plus your Rockwell 6S) in a future shave.

@shave-a-thon3415

7 жыл бұрын

I like the Progress and the Futur but I have blade exposure problems with both. As I've written before, I'm not too happy with Merkur's lack of quality control. My Progress was calibrated to start at settting 5 (that's where setting 1 should be). As far as the 34c goes, check these links. Maybe we can all get together and buy bulk to get these prices! www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Merkur-Solingen-Heavy-Duty-Double-Edge_150932938.html www.alibaba.com/product-detail/double-edge-safety-razor-merkur-34c_172423664.html

Overall Nick, which is the better Brush, Pure Badger, Boar, or Synthetic? Love your site. Great advice.

I completely concur with your nomination of Semogue's 1305. I has become my favorite boar.

Gr8 videos Nick. I basically started wet shaving after watching your videos. For my first shave I had my phone sitting in front of me and copying your strategy. I use Alum block and was concerned about using it tropically on skin. Do you think it's harmful?

Hi Nick. Just wondering, if you're using the Stirling balm with a scented splash, which do you put on first? Thanks for your help.

nick, can you review the Bevel razor? I'm lookin into getting into DE shaving; couldnt with regular blades just because under my jaw i would break out with razor burn that itched like hell. Really trying to find the best razor for a beginner..I have sensitive skin so I dont want something that's too aggressive or that much of a close shave.. Kind of scared to get ingrowns if i go too close.

It looks like a lot of people (including me) are following your advise. When I put in the snake bite aftershave in amazon it automatically asked me if I wanted to pair it with both the Phoenix Shaving Soap (Gondolier) AND the 63 Men's Shave Soap. The Perma-Sharp blades also popped up.

@leveluplifestyle5727

7 жыл бұрын

Mr_Chewbacca 1138 I noticed that too

I love your videos, Nick Just wanted to get this out of the way Secondly, my friend is going to New York for a few months and said he could bring me around 5 Shave soaps with him when he comes back. Now my question: Which soaps should I "order"? I was thinking PAA and barrister & man are a must, but what would you recommend? As always, thanks for the service you provide us with. :D