$15 Haul.. seriously..

**ganapathy** · 12-27-2011, 02:25 AM

Gentlemen,After spending enough time going through the B & B shaving heaven, I started on a hunt for supplies.

I am from the city of Chennai, in South India, and though I have seen it being tagged a Wet shaver's haven, I couldn't not find the stuff you guys are all talking about so easily. I could get one or two and mostly like a sampler but not much.The large malls think of these items as 'outdated', and 'cheap' , What cheek ?!!

They show me the 5-blader Gillettes, and the Phillips electrics and suggest me to become upwardly mobile!

So, at the saloon, I strike a conversation with my barber, and ask him where he gets his Shavette.. and he points me to a place.

Today I had the opportunity to visit this place in the southern suburbs of Chennai. Man! it was a treasure house for wet shavers. Of course this is no premium stuff. But nevertheless I think a great starter pack. and everyday staple.

Here is my haul. It cost me all of 15 USD :)Cosmo Active - A fruit smelling shaving creamTaiwan - natural hair brush.(not sure which animal though)7 O clock Permasharp saloon pack of 50 x 2Wilkinson Saloon pack of 50Laser saloon pack of 50Lucas Alum - Oh I love this thing.Taiwan Shavette x 2 ( one is white and another in black )I guess I am pretty much set now and learn that proper shave.I am just beginning to skim on the surface of this forum.. Awesome information! Thank you all so much!Anyone travelling to Southern India, you guys know where to get these now.

**leonidas** · 12-27-2011, 03:00 AM

..congratulations on the mother lode of items.........

...and although i am not planning to travel to southern India, i don't think you mentioned the place where you purchased the items....

**ganapathy** · 12-27-2011, 03:09 AM

Hi leonidas,

Here is the address..

Jains Beauty supplies (something like that)
Ist Floor, inside a small lane, right opposite Sriram Book Stores (Very famous in the neighborhood)
West Tambaram. Near the Tambaram Railway station.

Best,

**Useless shaver** · 12-27-2011, 04:01 AM

Congrats and welcome!

**bassmanlarry** · 12-27-2011, 04:21 AM

Nice haul and welcome to the forum. One day I do plan on traveling to southern India.

**leonidas** · 12-27-2011, 04:42 AM

Originally Posted by ganapathy

Hi leonidas,

Here is the address..

Jains Beauty supplies (something like that)
Ist Floor, inside a small lane, right opposite Sriram Book Stores (Very famous in the neighborhood)
West Tambaram. Near the Tambaram Railway station.

Best,

..thank you, Ganapathy......

......hopefully one day, i'll be able to travel to India...... i am sure it is a fantastic place........

**Sledgehammer39** · 12-27-2011, 04:45 AM

Sweet Haul!

**Don Shinchan** · 12-27-2011, 06:50 AM

That's a good start, ganapathy. In Bangkok, Thailand is even more difficult to find wet shaving stuff than your neighborhood. I couldn't even find a single shop that sells DE blade. Just think about it.

The solution? Ordering things online, it costs more, but saves me a lot of time. ; )

**ganapathy** · 12-27-2011, 07:35 AM

Thank you Gents!

Yes the scarcity of these even in places where there is supposed to be a large population of wet shavers is cause for concern.

South India is a nice place, you will love it. Lots of sunshine and ancient places of interest. Of course there is more than wet shaving goodies you will find here and enjoy!

Now that I have this stuff, I need to slowly and carefully get started on that razor :)

**SuperChris** · 12-27-2011, 09:19 AM

nice haul and welcome to B&B

**ganapathy** · 12-30-2011, 03:38 AM

All the items in the haul are great. I tried them out a bit. sampled the blades, the brush is good, cream has reasonably good smell and lathers ok. the Alum.. I really really like it.

Now... the Shavette!

It humbled me! It looks too good, feels too good. but the shave.... shows me I am novice! couple of nicks and a cut, and it went straight back into the package. I sure want to get back to it.. but maybe after I really master getting a BBS with a DE razor.

I have a EJ89L on the dispatch.. hopefully its a nice razor with reasonable aggressiveness.

**plpenn** · 12-30-2011, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by ganapathy

All the items in the haul are great. I tried them out a bit. sampled the blades, the brush is good, cream has reasonably good smell and lathers ok. the Alum.. I really really like it.

Now... the Shavette!

It humbled me! It looks too good, feels too good. but the shave.... shows me I am novice! couple of nicks and a cut, and it went straight back into the package. I sure want to get back to it.. but maybe after I really master getting a BBS with a DE razor.

I have a EJ89L on the dispatch.. hopefully its a nice razor with reasonable aggressiveness.

Welcome and congrats! Take your time and it will all come to you.

**echotron** · 12-30-2011, 04:26 AM

I, like a lot of people here, have a EJ DE89 and I believe you will really like it!

Take your time and enjoy your shave ... wet shaving has a learning curve before you get your technique down - Keep At It!

Good Luck!

**FonGu** · 12-30-2011, 04:45 AM

Nice haul and welcome to the forum!

**DOLLARBILL** · 12-30-2011, 04:51 AM

Nice ! But keep looking you may surprise yourself!
Enjoy Your Shave !

**Bearsfan** · 12-30-2011, 05:02 AM

Sweet haul! The shavettes look like fun!

I want to try that cream.

**GDCarrington** · 12-30-2011, 05:29 PM

Excellent haul!
When you get the DE89 you will really reap the benefits of your blade haul!

**ganapathy** · 12-30-2011, 07:03 PM

Thank you Gents!. Will keep you posted.

**JLuger** · 12-30-2011, 11:31 PM

Well done. I have been to Chennai, and loved it. It was the first place I had idli and pongal for breakfast, and of course the bet masala dosas. Saravana Bhavan is still my favorite, and thankfully the are now in NYC as well as Delhi.

As for the shavette, take it one step at a time. Start with just shaving the sideburn area, and maybe some cheek, then complete the shave with a DE. When you get those spots and strokes down on both sides, cover a little more ground. Plan to spend a month or two just learning the grip and angle. In the meantime, that DE89 will give you a nice BBS shave.

And my first and best shave in a barber's was in Paharganj, Delhi. Afterwards the barber massaged my neck and shoulders, then cracked my neck!

**ganapathy** · 12-31-2011, 04:53 AM

Hi JLuger, The Idli, Vadai, pongal, and Doasa are the best in Saravana Bhavan, you have been guided to the absolute right place. Of course all over Tamil Nadu you can get them. Glad you liked them.

Thanks for your hybrid suggestion. that sounds like a workable plan.

The cracked neck signals the official completion at the barbers :)