Tales from the Motherland... (Russia of course!)

[sanuginz]

I just returned from the motherland after a month long excursion. Besides eye popping prices for everything from a haircut (no barber shaves available to my knowledge - sorry!) to clothes to food, I was able to find a few shaving bargains.

I picked up some Sputnik blades for $.25 a five pack and new Sputnik Platinum blades for $.30. They also have Bic Platinum, Gillette Rubie, and Schick. The vendors sold cheap synthetic brushes and razors and an Omega Boar. For creams I picked up a tube of Nivea for $1.50. They also sold Arko, Florena, and something called Men Essential. 5 different Gillete splashes were available.

Not the best selection, buy hey - it's a welcome relief to try out some european products that would normally cost 7-10 times more plus shipping. Hope this helps any travelers.

[wchnu]

Well I hope you brought enough for everyone..hummmmmm:wink2:

[Giant]

Where all did you go? I have always wanted to visit Russia.

[110jim]

I have just returned from a business trip to Moscow and have come back with 10 packs of Sputnik Teflon and 10 packs of the new Sputnik Platinum.
I have been using the Teflon blades for a while, and intended to buy a large stock while there. I didn't know about the Platinums until I came across them by chance.
They are like shaving with silk (using my Harris Marlborough soap). Along with Feathers they are now my favourite blade. I love them!
Paid 15 roubles per pack for the platinums and 10 roubles per pack for the Teflons. (exchange rate was 43 roubles to the GB Pound, 27 roubles to the US dollar)
I'm going back again later this year or next and will be buying a very large stock!

[soapbuddy]

Cool!
So is this a large indoor market? Like a farmer's market?

[110jim]

I don't know about what Sanuginz found that place to be in his picture, but I found several places looking like that, normally near Metro stations.
They were like covered markets, and often were collections of similar shops. I found one market that only sold kitchen stuff and linens, and one market that only sold building materials, plumbing, screws, tools, that kind of thing.
The blades I bought came from a couple of the small kiosk type shops that you find IN virtually every Metro station. None of the larger chemists/drug stores sold double edge blades.