The Phantom Bearded Man: A Shaver Collector

To tell you the truth, I have a thick beard. If I neglect it for about a week, I become a full-fledged bearded man, and anyone who sees me at that point gets the impression that "Mr. Nabata is a bearded man." So, when they see me again after I've shaved, they always say, "Oh? You shaved your beard?"

This happens a few times a year when I'm writing articles for watch features. In other words, when I'm confined to my home writing, my opportunities to meet people decrease drastically, resulting in extreme neglect and a shaggy beard. To those who happen to see me then, I am, in effect, a "phantom bearded man."

Of course, I don't dislike my beard, and some people say it suits me. However, since an untrimmed beard is bothersome, I shave quite frequently. Naturally, my skin would be ruined by a shoddy razor, so I have to be careful when choosing my tools.

Though I'm not sure how it's related, shaving itself has been a hobby since my student days. I used to enjoy shaving with the spirit of an old-fashioned gentleman, buying antique straight razors, shaving mugs, brushes, and special shaving soaps.

However, old single-blade straight razors were harsh on the skin. I switched to double-bladed ones, then to triple-bladed ones, and even tried electric shavers. While trying out new models and searching for vintage ones at flea markets abroad, I became a collector of both wet (cartridge) and dry (electric) shavers.

Ultimately, my approach to shaving settled into a routine: wet shaving when I have plenty of time, and dry shaving when I'm in a hurry before going out.

However, even when I shave leisurely, it's become a rather uninspired "chore"—no longer the classical style of filling a mug with hot water and lathering soap with a brush, but simply applying spray-on shaving foam in the bath and going at it with a quick scrub.

Yet, it was Truefitt & Hill's grooming products that made me, this decadent gentleman, rediscover the pleasure of shaving.

A full set of Truefitt & Hill grooming goods arrived at my home

When "Chore" Becomes "Pleasure"

The Truefitt & Hill shave involves a series of rituals. First, to soften the beard and prevent razor burn, the "ritual" begins by rubbing "Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil" into the skin.

This yellow liquid, contained in a small bottle, feels surprisingly smooth despite being an oil. Its scent is citrusy, reminiscent of orange drops, exactly to my liking. When rubbed into the skin, a refreshingly sweet aroma blooms, leaving me momentarily entranced. It is truly "Ultimate Comfort."

Next is the shaving foam. The basic method is to fill a small pot-like mug with hot water and lather the soap, but I chose the "Shaving Cream" with a sandalwood scent.

Sandalwood is an aromatic wood known in Japan as "byakudan," said to have the effect of relieving stress and relaxing the mind. When the cream, contained in a black Bakelite bowl, is worked with a "Wellington Super Badger Brush" made from the finest natural badger hair, it produces a rich, fine lather. Applying this to the face with the brush not only coats the skin but is said to cleanse pores and promote skin metabolism through careful application.

The Brushing Technique Has Unexpected Benefits

Indeed, the feel of the badger hair is exquisite. My skin already feels refreshed just from this, and the oriental sandalwood scent is pleasant. What's great is that this shaving cream is also available in a portable tube. This allows for enjoyable shaving even at a hotel while traveling.

And now, for the shave itself. Truefitt & Hill's "Wellington Razor" has a well-balanced handle with a pleasant weight. It's a world apart from the overly light razors of recent years; the moment you hold it, you know it's going to shave well.

The blade is Gillette's "Mach III (3-blade)." While 4- and even 5-blade razors have appeared recently, Truefitt & Hill's conclusion is that the 3-blade with its adequate spacing between blades is optimal. In fact, I also use an electric 5-blade shaver, but there's no discernible difference in the closeness of the shave.

Impressed by Gillette's Shaving Performance

It's admirable that they chose Gillette blades. Based on my experience, I believe Gillette blades shave the best, and I'm a "Gillette fan" who can't resist buying their new products. So, naturally, I'm satisfied with this shave, and more importantly, it's great that I can easily buy replacement blades at my local supermarket.