Shaving Brands – Best of Britain
There has never been a more divisive time to have an opinion about Britain. In particular, Brexit. Will Britain still be ‘Great’? The mix of opinions continue to dominate news, social media channels, office chit chat and dinner table conversations throughout the UK and beyond. However, there is one thing we know for sure – the worlds finest shaving brands including; razors, shaving brushes, shaving creams and fragrances will continue to be created and manufactured in Britain. Then welcomed by shaving enthusiasts the world over.
With a history dating back to the late 18th Century. British companies have forged an unrivaled reputation as the home of shaving excellence. A mix of heritage shaving brands and more recent exciting entrants, we highlight some of today’s best British shaving brands.
Ape Recommended Reading: Top 10 Shaving Creams and Top 10 After Shave Balms.
Geo F Trumper
Established in the late 19th century by Mr George Trumper. Geo F Trumper has become on of Britain’s most iconic shaving brands, barbers and perfumers. Operating from its shop at 9 Curzon Street in London’s Mayfair. Wet shaving is the norm in original mahogany cubicles, surrounded by twentieth century glass display cabinets.
Ape Recommended Reading: A visit to Geo. F. Trumper.
Today, there is a second shop called the St. James’s Shop, located in Duke of York Street, London. At both locations you can pick up fine quality shaving equipment, aftershaves and fragrances as well as a men’s accessories. The latter includes cufflinks and ties, umbrellas, canes and leather goods. Visit trumpers.com for more information.
Hero Product: For instantly soothing aftershave care, try the Geo. F. Trumper Coral Skin Food, £23 >
Truefitt & Hill
Revered as both London’s finest and the worlds oldest gentleman’s hairdresser. Founder William Truefitt established himself in 1805 attending to the hairdressing needs of King George III and much of the United Kingdom’s gentry. In 1935 the business acquired Edwin Hill hairdressers thus starting the Truefitt & Hill brand we know today.
Truefitt & Hill have been involved in the production of hairdressings, shampoos, perfumes, shaving creams and colognes for generations. Providing discerning gentleman worldwide with the highest quality shaving essentials fragranced with classic scents such as Trafalgar, Grafton, 1805 and West Indian Limes.
Truefitt & Hill are Royal Warrant holders as Hairdressers to H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. Visit truefittandhill.co.uk for more information.
Hero Product: Great for those who suffer with shaving irritation, layer your pre-shave with the Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil, £22 >
D. R. Harris
After Ape’s recent visit to D.R. Harris we learned the company was established during the late 18th Century by surgeon Henry Harris and Pharmaceutical Chemist Daniel Rotely (D. R.). This family run business still resides in St James’s in a beautifully renovated Chemist shop with much of the original furniture, dating back to the 1790’s.
Servicing the gentry and the court of St. James’s for over 200 years with a fine selection of soaps, shaving creams, aftershaves and colognes, skincare products and much more. D. R. Harris scented products – notably Arlington, Windsor, Marlborough and Sandalwood – continue to appeal to all those who appreciate grooming quality and distinction the world over.
D. R. Harris currently hold the Royal Warrant as Chemists to her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Visit drharris.co.uk for more information.
Hero Product: For a rich, protective lather and an other-worldly aroma try the D. R. Harris Windsor Shaving Bowl and Soap, £22 >
Taylor of Old Bond Street
One of the few true British shaving brands. Taylor of Old Bond Street is a family run heritage British brand with the incumbent owner being the Great Grandson of the original proprietor Jeremiah Taylor. Who in 1854 opened his hairdressing salon in London’s Old Bond Street, Mayfair, attending to the hairdressing needs of the British gentry. The business quickly gained a reputation for developing innovative treatments for a gentleman’s hair and scalp. All largely extracted from natural ingredients, supported with subtle, considered scents.
Today, located in near by St James’s, the Taylor of Old Bond Street flagship store offers one of the world’s finest collections of luxury shaving products and renowned fragrances synonymous with the brand. These include shaving creams, soaps, hair lotions, tonics and colognes from the Jermyn Street Collection, Eton Collection and No. 74 Collection. Visit tayloroldbondst.co.uk for more information.
Hero Product: A great shave cream for the price, very protective and fine scented – Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Bowl, £10.95 >
Simpsons Shaving Brushes
“A badger hair shaving brush is a supreme instrument in the gentleman’s arsenal of shaving requisites.”
Alexander E. Simpson created his first shaving brush in 1919 and to this day, the Simpsons brand still manufacture the most supreme of shaving instruments. Not even the 1941 London Blitz, which damaged the South London manufacturing factory hampered production as the company relocated to rural Somerset to continue lathering the faces of the world’s most recognised and distinguished gentlemen.
Today, operating from the Isle of Man, Simpsons are only one of the very few remaining manufacturer of genuinely hand-made shaving brushes within the British Isles. The eye-catching designs of shaving brushes such as the Chubby, Captain, Colonel, Milk Churn, Duke and Harvard, adorn bathrooms and wet-rooms the world over. Visit simpsonshavingbrushes.com for more information.
Hero Product: A shaving brush with ergonomics just right, the Simpsons ‘Chubby 1’ Best Badger Shaving Brush, £84.95 >
However, it’s not only the heritage brands which capture the essence of great British shaving brands. In recent years, new avant-garde companies have introduced some stunning razors and shaving brush collections to the attention of discerning gentlemen.
Bolin Webb
Founded in 2012 during a visit to the Swiss Alps. Bolin Webb is inspired by the ultra sleek car designs of leading automotive racing brands Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche. Bolin Webb razors appeal to gentlemen looking for a stylish, modern design razor.
Ape Recommended Reading: Bolin Webb Prestige Razor Collection.
The Award winning Bolin Webb R1 series razors feature ergonomic handle designs in striking colours such as Monza Red, Graphite, Signal Orange, Chrome and Gold. Further leading-edge Bolin Webb product designs include a stunning graphite razor stand and silicone razor case.
Each Bolin Webb razor, accessory and most recently, an organic face balm are designed, manufactured and tested in the UK. The brand is quickly establishing a world wide reputation for innovative British product design at it’s very best. Visit bolinwebb.com for more information.
Hero Product: For those who like modern looking equipment with a unique, and highly effective razor handle try the Bolin Webb R1 Jet, £55 >
Wilde & Harte
Inspired by the splendour and grandeur of iconic houses and palaces in London. Wilde & Harte razor and shaving brush collections are quintessential shaving accessories for discerning gentlemen.
Founded in 2014, the company design and manufacture contemporary and traditional shaving items, influenced by Art Deco styles and modern design detailing. Each razor and shaving brush is manufactured from British stainless steel and professionally polished by hand to an impeccable mirror finish by skilled metal craftsmen.
Proudly British at every stage, from design, manufacture, assembly and packaging, the quality engineering and breathtaking elegance of Wilde & Harte grooming collections and accessories appeal to wet shaving enthusiasts the world over. Visit wildeandharte.co.uk for more information.
Hero Product: It doesn’t get much more regal, luxurious and traditional than a Wilde & Harte ‘Line of Kings’ Razor, £180 >
And as for Brexit? Well, we’re British. We’ll simply carry on regardless and enjoy an immaculate shave. Of course.
