Merkur 38C review: my shave test with the Barber Pole
My rating: 9.5/10
A hands-on Merkur 38C review with original photos, a video shave test, and notes on weight, grip, blade choice, and comfort.
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Put to the test.
My hands-on reviews of razors, shaving creams, and the products around the sink—with photographs, shave tests, and the details I noticed along the way.
Explore the reviewsMerkur 38C: the Barber Pole
From my shaving bench.
Explore 30 of my product reviews, with photographs, shave results, and videos where available. See what worked, what didn’t, and which products I’d use again.
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Safety razors
Handle weight, blade feel, and the shave itself. Original tests of double-edge razors, a single-edge razor, and starter kits.
A guide to shaving with a safety razor
Merkur 34C review: a small razor put to the test
My rating: 9/10
My original Merkur 34C shave test, including preparation, blade choice, close-up photos, and how its short handle compares with the 38C.
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Merkur 37C review: testing the slant bar
My rating: 8.5/10
A hands-on Merkur 37C review with the original shave conditions, packaging and design photos, and post-shave observations.
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Merkur 23C Review
My rating: 8.4/10
A hands-on Merkur 23C review with original packaging and handle photos, the shave conditions, and close-up results.
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Merkur Futur Review
My rating: 7.5/10
The original Merkur Futur adjustable-razor test, with design photos, shave settings, and close-up post-shave observations.
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Edwin Jagger DE89 Review
My rating: 9.3/10
A hands-on Edwin Jagger DE89 review with original packaging photos, razor details, documented shave preparation, and the finished results.
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Bevel Razor Review
My rating: 8/10
An original Bevel safety razor test with packaging and design close-ups, shave preparation, and photographs of the results.
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OneBlade Razor Review
My rating: 8.5/10
An original OneBlade Core shave test with packaging photos, three passes, and a close look at the results and razor design.
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Maggard Razors Review
My rating: 9/10
The original Maggard wet-shaving starter-kit test: MR18 razor, shaving brush, Ghost Town Barber soap, and shave-result photographs.
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Dorco Prime Review
My rating: 7/10
The original Dorco Prime safety-razor starter-set review, with unboxing, razor construction photos, and observations from the first shave.
Read the reviewCartridge & head razors
Familiar cartridges, subscription razors, and a purpose-built head shaver, put through their paces.
Caring for a shaved head
Harry’s Razors Review
My rating: 4/10
An original Harry’s razor and shave gel test, with unboxing photos, razor comparisons, and close-up shaving results.
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Dollar Shave Club Review
My rating: 8.5/10
The original Dollar Shave Club starter-set review, including the razor, Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter, and photographs of the shave results.
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Gillette Mach3 Review
My rating: 9/10
The original Gillette Mach3 shave test, with cartridge and handle comparisons, preparation notes, and post-shave photos.
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Gillette SkinGuard Review
My rating: 8.7/10
The original Gillette SkinGuard test, with close-up razor comparisons, documented shave conditions, and photographs of the results.
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Schick Hydro Stubble Eraser Review
My rating: 8/10
An original Schick Hydro Stubble Eraser shave test with design and result photos. The review discloses that Schick supplied the razor.
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MicroTouch Tough Blade Review
My rating: 8.5/10
An original MicroTouch Tough Blade review with packaging and razor close-ups, shave conditions, and photographs of the results.
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HeadBlade Moto Review
My rating: 9/10
The original HeadBlade Moto head-shaving test, including its rolling design, grip, and close-up before-and-after photos.
Read the reviewElectric trimmers
Two compact tools for trimming and shaving, with close-up photos and notes from use.
Electric shavers and razors compared
OneBlade Trimmer Review
My rating: 9/10
Original Philips Norelco OneBlade review with close-up photos, a beard-trimming test, and observations on the shave, grip, and battery.
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MicroTouch Solo Review
My rating: 8.8/10
The original MicroTouch Solo trimming test, with attachment-comb comparisons, design close-ups, and photographs of the finished result.
Read the reviewShaving creams & soaps
From the first load of the brush to the final pass: lather, cushion, scent, and how each formula felt on the skin.
How to build a shaving lather
Taylor of Old Bond Street Review
My rating: 9/10
A hands-on test of Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood shaving cream, with the original lather photos, shave results, and Tools of Men video.
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C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream Review
My rating: 9/10
The original C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream test, including hand and brush lathers, shave photos, and the accompanying review video.
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Proraso Shaving Cream Review
My rating: 9/10
The original Proraso green-label shaving cream review, with lather and shave photos, test conditions, and the accompanying Tools of Men video.
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Chiseled Face Shave Soap Review
My rating: 8/10
A hands-on review of Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barber shave soap, with lather photos, original shave observations, and the review video.
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Cella Shaving Cream Review
My rating: 8/10
A hands-on Cella shaving cream review with the original brush-lather demonstration, shave photos, and review video.
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Body Shop Shaving Cream Review
My rating: 9/10
The original Body Shop Maca Root & Aloe shaving cream test, with lather photos, shaving results, and the accompanying review video.
Read the reviewBefore & after the shave
Pre-shave preparations and a post-shave balm, tested as part of an actual shaving routine.
Explore pre-shave and aftershave care
Proraso Pre-Shave Cream Review
My rating: 9/10
An original Proraso pre-shave cream test with application photos, a safety-razor shave, and the Tools of Men video demonstration.
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Taconic Shave Pre-Shave Oil Review
My rating: 8.6/10
A hands-on Taconic Shave unscented pre-shave oil review, with application photos and notes on consistency, scent, and the shave.
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Nivea Post Shave Balm Review
My rating: 10/10
An original Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm review with packaging, consistency, and application photos from the test.
Read the reviewBody & grooming care
A closer look at Dr. Squatch soap and a selection of Grooming Lounge products, with the original product photographs.
Explore body and hair care
Dr. Squatch Pine Tar soap review: my ten-shower test
My rating: 7.5/10
I tested a bar of Dr. Squatch Pine Tar soap over about ten showers. Original photos and observations on grit, lather, scent, and how quickly it wore down.
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Grooming Lounge Review: A Cut Above The Rest?
My rating: 8.5/10
A hands-on review of Grooming Lounge’s shave cream, aftershave, face scrub, body wash, and deodorant. The original review discloses the supplied samples.
Read the reviewHow I rate products
My ratings use a 1–10 scale and reflect the experience described in each review: performance, comfort, ease of use, and value. Where an older review had no score, I’ve added one based on its written verdict. Existing scores are unchanged.
As a guide, 9–10 means a strong recommendation with few drawbacks; 7–8.5 means a good product with meaningful compromises; 5–6.5 means mixed results; and 1–4.5 means substantial shortcomings. The reasons matter as much as the number: a razor I enjoy may suit a different beard, skin type, or budget less well.