In late 18th and early 19th century Britain, there were many a well-groomed dapper dandy roaming the streets of London – gents who placed a lot of importance on their physical appearance, spoke with distinction and partook in leisurely hobbies. Men’s facial hair has gone in and out of favour since the beginning of time, but in the 18th century being clean-shaven was the ideal. New developments in razor materials like steel meant sharper, more durable razors. Men began dabbling in…
Category: Trends
New Years New Beards: Our Top Resolutions for a Great 2017
It’s January, and that means it’s time to get to work on our New Years Resolutions. And yes, just because last year we only lasted three days at the gym doesn’t mean that we should stop trying. Who could have predicted that we’d be allergic to our own sweat? Even the doctor says we’re better off on the couch. Now, we’ve all heard the cliche resolutions – lose weight, eat better. But isn’t there a better, more lasting path to…
Movember 2016: Ready, Set, Shave…
Ready, Set, Shave… Then grow your fiercest ‘stache possible. Ah, Movember: a time to let your man hair down, or more specifically grow out – all for a good cause and to make the Ron Burgundys and Burt Renolds of the world proud. The moustache is to men’s health what the pink ribbon is to breast cancer research. Since 2003, millions of people have participated in the movement, raising more than $676 million and funding over 1,000 projects through impact…
How To Handle Baldness Like A Man
As Jason Racz once said, “Bald is the new black.” While many might disagree with this confident claim, many gentlemen have embraced the bare-headed look. Male pattern baldness results from a genetic predisposition, and the hair loss is the product of male sex hormones. Typically, you’ll see a receding hairline and thinning hair on the crown of the head. There are a number of styling techniques and products available that can help spruce your hair up, making it look fuller….
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Fendrihan Staff Favourites
The world of wet-shaving can be overwhelming to newcomers: distinguishing between razors requires some technical expertise, and sifting through all the oils, creams, and soaps is a recipe for decision fatigue. Not only that, but there’s a horde of lifestyle items that, to the new shopper, may all look the same. To show you to some of the best products on the market, we’ve interviewed our staff here, at Fendrihan, to see what works for them: John, our veteran wet…
The Spartan Bathroom: Low-Waste Living
Purchasing a luxury grooming accessory is always a pleasant experience: the smooth feel in your hands, the striking visual design. But it’s also rewarding because you’ve just invested in a tool that’s built to last. With environmental urgencies at the fore of our collective conscience, it feels good to foster low-waste habits and to live with an eye toward sustainability. And well-manufactured grooming accessories, like double-edged safety razors and straight razors, are just the tip of the iceberg. Below, we’ve…
Brand Spotlight: Iris Hantverk
With a history dating back to 1870, Iris Hantverk is a company that has immersed itself in community betterment ever since its beginnings. In Stockholm, Dr. Axel Beskov founded the Manilla School, which was a workhouse for visually impaired craftsmen, most of whom lived at the workhouse, and this group slowly evolved into what would become Iris Hantverk. Around 20 years later, a congregation of visually impaired craftsmen founded their own organization with the incentive to further integrate the blind…
The Allure of Artisanal Shaving Accessories
When it comes to shaving, aesthetics and workmanship are often the most important factors for buyers of men’s grooming supplies. Much like with old architecture, great satisfaction can be found in shaving accessories that are creatively original and built with the utmost structural integrity. While the dawn of plastic disposable razors marked a significant plummet in product quality and artistic design, the past few years have seen a renewed interest in artisanal shaving implements. The term, “Artisan,” designates a single…
Finding the Perfect Pocket Knife
With all the variety we see in pocket knives, deciding which is the right one for you can be a sure headache. Depending on your needs, you may need a multi-purpose knife or a single, trade-specific one. Distinguishing between a cheap and well-made blade can also warrant confusion. Below, we’ve outlined all the specifics to consider when shopping for your perfect blade. Fixed Blade vs. Folding Blade While knives with fixed blades are by and far the strongest, they’re not…
Maintaining the Perfect Beard
It’s easy to get confused with all the different beard products you’ll find on store shelves. And, to make matters even more baffling, no one pictures the prototypical rugged, bearded man as part of a community of fops, excited to buy fancy grooming products. But, if you’re a modern man who likes to wear a beard, while still maintaining a clean and somewhat refined look, then it’s good to know the differences between these products, as they can be…
How Our Ancestors Did It: Shaving Through History
The dawn of shaving is shrouded in mystery: no one quite knows its exact beginning, and its cultural meaning ebbs and flows with time and location. We do know, however, that the shaving ritual is long-standing, appearing in the far reaches of human history. In prehistoric cave paintings, men are depicted with shorn facial hair, using seashells to tweeze away beards one cuticle at a time, and shearing with shark teeth or roughhewn flint knives. While it’s easy to imagine…
Are Straight Razor Shaves Legal in North America?
Many modern men have a perennial attraction to the old-fashioned barbershop experience, and one of the touchstones of barbershop quality has always been the straight razor shave. Though extravagant in today’s shaving world, it is part and parcel with the old men’s tradition, and many still go in search of it. Barbers who provide straight shaves are less commonplace today, but the tradition is still very much alive. Only licensed barbers are permitted to give customers straight shaves, and every…