- Messages
- 6,286
- Location
- New Forest, England.
Since I have been taking an interest in traditional wet shaving I have been visiting several high street stores. They have all we need. But very few higher quality products and not many staff around who really know much about gentlemen's shaving. So I was really interested to find references to the Gentleman's Shop in Hungerford here.
Yesterday I paid my first visit. Now it is easy to look up the website and see what the shop has to offer. But this place is something else!
It is set in a delightful old building with easy access and nearby parking. When I went inside I haven't got so excited since I paid my first visit to Fratton Park as a 6 year old. Sad, isn't it. The range of products on offer is amazing - tastefully displayed. Great variety of brushes, razors and other accessories all nicely laid out in spacious premises. And there was the barbers shop - all the chairs occupied. There was a real buzz about the place. I wasn't expecting to see Robert and Charlotte because I had rung earlier to be told it was their day off. I was visiting antique shops anyway so went ahead with my visit. Well they must have a good grapevine because within minutes both Robert and Charlotte came in to give me a warm welcome. And what a delightful couple they are. I could not believe how young they were. They must have been children when they opened the place 21 years ago!
Robert gave me some splendid advice - I particularly liked his simple method of lathering which he demonstrated on the side of a basin. I won't go on.
I will return soon for a traditional wet shave and a consultation session. And because I visit Hungerford at least twice a year I suspect that won't be my last visit to the shop.
It is such a delight to come across a place which offers such quality of product and service. I wish we had a similar place in Lymington. But then I wouldn't have an excuse to visit Hungerford.
Did I buy anything? That's between me and Robert. Just one other point. Don't ever buy a razor or brush on the basis of a review without seeing it and feeling it. Yesterday, that principle saved me a lot of money.
If you can get to Hungerford it's well worth a visit. Plenty of antique shops and always busy. A geat shaver's day out.
Yesterday I paid my first visit. Now it is easy to look up the website and see what the shop has to offer. But this place is something else!
It is set in a delightful old building with easy access and nearby parking. When I went inside I haven't got so excited since I paid my first visit to Fratton Park as a 6 year old. Sad, isn't it. The range of products on offer is amazing - tastefully displayed. Great variety of brushes, razors and other accessories all nicely laid out in spacious premises. And there was the barbers shop - all the chairs occupied. There was a real buzz about the place. I wasn't expecting to see Robert and Charlotte because I had rung earlier to be told it was their day off. I was visiting antique shops anyway so went ahead with my visit. Well they must have a good grapevine because within minutes both Robert and Charlotte came in to give me a warm welcome. And what a delightful couple they are. I could not believe how young they were. They must have been children when they opened the place 21 years ago!
Robert gave me some splendid advice - I particularly liked his simple method of lathering which he demonstrated on the side of a basin. I won't go on.
I will return soon for a traditional wet shave and a consultation session. And because I visit Hungerford at least twice a year I suspect that won't be my last visit to the shop.
It is such a delight to come across a place which offers such quality of product and service. I wish we had a similar place in Lymington. But then I wouldn't have an excuse to visit Hungerford.
Did I buy anything? That's between me and Robert. Just one other point. Don't ever buy a razor or brush on the basis of a review without seeing it and feeling it. Yesterday, that principle saved me a lot of money.
If you can get to Hungerford it's well worth a visit. Plenty of antique shops and always busy. A geat shaver's day out.
