After years of using disposables, a friend got me a starter set at TAOS for Christmas about three years ago, beginning my journey into proper wet shaving. Not too long after that, I bought a double-edge (a cheap-ish Merkur purchased at the local barber supply; it looks like a 15c, but with a longer handle), and I've been using it for almost two years. I've really grown to like it; I tried a Shark blade in it yesterday and was amazed at how close my shave was.
Here's the dilemma: I've probably a couple of months' worth of TAOS oil, cream, and balm on-hand as it is. I've since discovered a shave shop here in town (Carwin's Shave Shop)that has a very nice selection of products, well beyond TAOS's own line. I've found several things I like better (and they're cheaper to boot, which is saying something), and will be buying my stuff there from here out.
The dilemma: I've accumulated $150 worth of gift cards from TAOS, and I don't know what to do with them. I don't need supplies, so I'm looking at durable goods. TAOS has a lousy selection of blades, so that's out. I do need a razor stand, but they only appear to have two that are made for safety razors. I'd consider that, but they store the razor head-down; I've never seen anybody else do that, and it seems like it would encourage water to pool inside the razor instead of draining (I dry my razor, but I don't dismantle it). Any thoughts on that? I've thought about trying a straight for years; their Theirs-Issard might be a good start, if it's a decent blade.
I don't mind contributing a few dollars more to make up the balance, but I'm not interested in adding a bunch of money to buy something that I could get elsewhere for not much more than I'd have to add to match their prices. Any thoughts? What would you buy?
Here's the dilemma: I've probably a couple of months' worth of TAOS oil, cream, and balm on-hand as it is. I've since discovered a shave shop here in town (Carwin's Shave Shop)that has a very nice selection of products, well beyond TAOS's own line. I've found several things I like better (and they're cheaper to boot, which is saying something), and will be buying my stuff there from here out.
The dilemma: I've accumulated $150 worth of gift cards from TAOS, and I don't know what to do with them. I don't need supplies, so I'm looking at durable goods. TAOS has a lousy selection of blades, so that's out. I do need a razor stand, but they only appear to have two that are made for safety razors. I'd consider that, but they store the razor head-down; I've never seen anybody else do that, and it seems like it would encourage water to pool inside the razor instead of draining (I dry my razor, but I don't dismantle it). Any thoughts on that? I've thought about trying a straight for years; their Theirs-Issard might be a good start, if it's a decent blade.
I don't mind contributing a few dollars more to make up the balance, but I'm not interested in adding a bunch of money to buy something that I could get elsewhere for not much more than I'd have to add to match their prices. Any thoughts? What would you buy?