Reference shelf
The Library
An annotated list of practical instruction, specialist communities, makers, and suppliers.
These are outside sources I have found useful. Some teach a method; others sell the equipment required for it. The distinction is worth keeping in mind, particularly when the same establishment does both.
Inclusion is not an endorsement of every opinion or product found on the linked site. The notes explain why each item is here.
Practical instruction
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Back-To-Basics: Life Skills for Chaps
Ash of The Chaps Guide demonstrates ironing, shoe care, and other household skills. His methods are calm and generally sound. The military crease he puts into a shirt sleeve is appropriate to a uniform, though not necessary for an ordinary civilian shirt.
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Detailed instruction on cloth, tailoring, construction, and the history of menswear. The commercial side is difficult to separate from the teaching, so learn the principles before assuming that another purchase is required.
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William Hanson explains etiquette with more attention to purpose than many instructors give it. His useful habit is to explain the social problem a rule was meant to prevent.
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Writing and programmes about antiques, material history, and the ordinary use of old objects. His interest is specific and informed, which is more useful than general enthusiasm for the past.
Shaving communities and demonstrations
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A large wet-shaving forum. It is useful for comparing technique and troubleshooting equipment. Product enthusiasm can become its own hobby, as it tends to do in specialist communities.
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Longer demonstrations and conversations about traditional shaving, razors, brushes, and soap.
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Short demonstrations of products and shaving technique. Useful when a written description of angle or lather consistency has become needlessly abstract.
Grooming suppliers and makers
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The Canadian shop for the London barber and grooming house established in 1805. Its shaving creams remain dependable. The history is interesting, but the products should still be judged as products.
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A London grooming firm established in 1854. The shaving creams are easy to lather and widely available. Sandalwood is the best-known scent and should be sampled before buying in quantity.
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A London barber and grooming house established in 1875. Extract of Limes is the notable cologne; the shaving creams and skin preparations have a long record of ordinary competence.
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An Edmonton maker of shaving soap and related preparations. The soaps lather well, and the Alberta scents are more controlled than their names sometimes suggest.
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An independent American maker of shaving soap and fragrance. Useful for modern soap bases and scents outside the traditional barbershop catalogue.
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A Canadian retailer carrying razors, brushes, blades, soaps, and aftershaves from many makers. Particularly useful when comparing equipment without ordering each item from a different country.
Dress and household suppliers
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Bespoke and ready-made footwear. The services differ considerably in price and purpose, though both depend upon sound construction and repairable shoes.
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A Northampton maker established in 1829, best known for Goodyear-welted country shoes and boots. Fit matters more than the reputation attached to the box.
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Clothes, hair, hat, and shaving brushes. A clothes brush is a modest purchase and extends the useful interval between cleaning wool garments.
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Umbrellas and leather goods descended from Swaine Adeney Brigg. The solid-stick umbrellas are expensive, repairable, and meant for long use.
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A London hatter established in 1676. Worth consulting when a hat is required for weather rather than costume.
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Simple folding and kitchen knives with replaceable utility rather than decorative complication. The carbon-steel models require drying and occasional oil.