I raided my father’s shave kit today, only to find that he is still using the razor he did when he was in college.  What you see here is a vintage Gillette Safety Razor, Safety Blades, and Badger Brush.

Many say that the safety razor is the best there ever was.  The single blade design prevents cutting your hair deeper then skin level (3, 4, and 5 blade razors typically undercut), minimizing razor burn.  This style of razor came after the straight blade and since it was safer to use (there was no risk of cutting your jugular), it was named accordingly.

The badger brush is another shaving tool that should not have drifted out of popularity.  With it there is no need for canned shaving cream, any bar of soap will do.  Of course you can buy specialty shaving soap for added protection, like this one from Crabtree and Evelyn:

The moral of the story is that us men should adopt the shaving practices of past generations because:

1. Safety Razors yield a better shave
2. it’s environmentally friendly; less waste in terms of throwing away blades and no aerosol getting into the ozone
3. the badger brush is one stylish way to lather your face

Newly launched and homemade in the USA is Barrett Alley‘s collection of leather goods.  Barrett is doing it right; crafting with the finest of leathers (cowhide, deerskin, and goatskin), fabrics (both vintage American and Japanese), and hardware.  Here are a couple of his best-sellers:

The Devilish Wallet

The first thing that catches my eye is the red and white striped cotton used as the bill liner.  I also like the linen thread used to bind the wallet.  Attention to detail like this is what distinguishes Barrett.  This beauty is available in cow, dear, and goat skins.  Note that the use of deer and goat hide in leather goods is quite rare and that they are available in a very limited quantity.

The Valerie Bracelet

There are two things that I really like about this bracelet: (1) that that buttons have been salvaged from old work shirts and (2) that the leather darkens with age.

All of the products are signed and number.  Great work Barrett.  I look forward to seeing what you have in store for the future.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m no logger, but these Gore-Tex lined, Vibram soled, indestructible, water proof boots are great for Canadian winters.  Made by Danner for J Crew.  A great gift for the adventurer in your life.

Style is not limited to clothing. Check out Shinya Kimura’s unique style is this video.

shinya kimura @ chabott engineering from Henrik Hansen on Vimeo.

Another great Test Shot from Jake Davis. Here, Brendon Babenzien explains the difference between style and fashion. Enjoy. Jake Davis Test Shots: Brendon Babenzien from Jake Davis on Vimeo.

Are the streets of London, England trying to tell us something?  My friend sent me this while traveling through Europe.  This warning is obviously because the brits drive on the left side of the road, but could this be why they are impeccably dressed?

I have found that a number of people assume that chambray is denim.  I hope to clear this up with the following.

Take a look at the above shirts.  Which one is denim? Both? … wrong.  Both are made from cotton yarn, but only the left is denim.  The fundamental difference between these two fabrics is in the way it is woven.  Both materials are made by weaving white yarn through indigo dyed yarn.  In chambray, the white alternates over-under with every indigo thread.  In denim, the white is woven two-up one-down with the indigo.  The next row is then shifted one thread down, giving denim its iconic diagonal pattern.  Take a look at the photos below to see the difference.

I have always been a fan of neck ties, more specifically skinny ties.  They offer a professional, more put together look.  It’s a shame that they are no longer a social norm in the business-casual workplace.   Pierrepont Hicks offers a new take on this style; the two-tone.  The tie is made from English wool and in is finished with a tail made from silk.

Around since 1905, Red Wing Shoes has produced quality boots for both the America’s soldiers and blue collar workers.  They built their reputation on quality and durability, holding true to that standard today.

I believe that every man should own at least one pair of boots they can get dirty.  I’m not talking about becoming a lumberjack or iron worker, but you should be able to prove your worth in salt.  Check out what Red Wing has to offer:

Jake Davis Test Shots: Joshua Kissi from Jake Davis on Vimeo.