the three types of passes commonly used with a safety razor:

1. The With-the-Grain (WTG) Pass: The first pass, known as the with-the-grain (WTG) pass, involves shaving in the same direction as your facial hair growth. This pass helps to remove the majority of the hair while minimizing the risk of irritation or ingrown hairs. Start at the top of your face and shave downward on the cheeks and sideburns, and with long downward strokes on the neck.

2. The Across-the-Grain (XTG) Pass: After completing the WTG pass, you can proceed to the across-the-grain (XTG) pass. This involves shaving perpendicular to the direction of hair growth, usually from ear to nose or nose to ear. The XTG pass provides a closer shave by cutting the remaining stubble that the WTG pass may have missed. Take caution and use light pressure to avoid irritation.

3. The Against-the-Grain (ATG) Pass: The final pass, the against-the-grain (ATG) pass, involves shaving in the opposite direction of hair growth. This pass delivers the closest shave but can be more challenging and potentially irritating if not done properly. Use short, light strokes and adjust the angle of the razor accordingly to minimize the risk of irritation or cuts. Some individuals may choose to skip the ATG pass if they are prone to sensitivity or have particularly coarse hair.

Remember, the number of passes may vary depending on personal preference and the sensitivity of your skin. Some individuals may find that a single pass provides satisfactory results, while others may prefer to perform additional passes for an even closer shave. Take your time, maintain a steady hand, and listen to your skin's needs to achieve a comfortable and satisfying shave with a safety razor.

To achieve proper hydration before shaving, follow these steps:

1. Cleanse the Face:
Begin by washing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or impurities. Use lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a towel.

2. Warm Water Splash:
Splash your face with warm water or hold a warm towel against your skin for a few moments. The warmth helps to relax the facial muscles, open up the pores, and soften the hair follicles.

3. Steaming Technique:
For an added boost of hydration, you can create a mini steam treatment by filling a basin or sink with warm water. Lean over the basin, covering your head with a towel to trap the steam. Allow the steam to envelop your face for a few minutes, aiding in further softening and hydrating the skin.

Proper hydration sets the foundation for a successful shave. By incorporating this simple step into your shaving routine, you'll experience smoother, closer, and more comfortable shaves while promoting healthier skin. Remember, hydrated skin is happy skin, and happy skin leads to a happy shaving experience. Stay tuned for next weeks article on 

Let's explore the various types of safety razors that will accompany you on your wet shaving journey:

1. Double-Edge Safety Razor:
The double-edge safety razor is a classic choice, known for its simplicity and effectiveness. It features a razor head that holds a double-edged blade securely in place. This type of razor offers a comfortable and close shave, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced wet shavers. With a wide variety of handle designs and materials available, you can find one that matches your style and preferences.

2. Adjustable Safety Razor:
For those seeking versatility in their shaving experience, an adjustable safety razor is a splendid choice. These razors come with a dial or mechanism that allows you to adjust the blade's exposure. By altering the blade gap, you can customize the aggressiveness of the shave. This feature is particularly handy for individuals with varying hair types or those who prefer different levels of closeness in different areas of their face.

3. Slant Bar Safety Razor:
The slant bar safety razor is designed with an angled blade exposure, offering a unique shaving experience. This razor's head has a slanted design, which allows the blade to cut through the hair at a slight diagonal angle. This design provides an efficient and smooth shave, especially for individuals with coarse or tough facial hair. It's important to note that the slant bar razor requires a bit of skill and technique to master, making it more suitable for experienced wet shavers.

4. Open Comb Safety Razor:
The open comb safety razor features a comb-like design on the razor head, with small teeth or grooves along the edges. This design allows for excellent hair and lather flow, making it ideal for individuals with thicker or more dense facial hair. The open comb design also helps prevent clogging, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable shave.

5. Single-Edge Safety Razor:
While double-edge razors are commonly used, single-edge safety razors are gaining popularity among wet shaving enthusiasts. These razors utilize a single-edge blade, typically with a thicker spine, which provides a slightly different shaving experience. Single-edge razors often have a more substantial and weighty feel, offering a precise and controlled shave.

Ahoy, matey! You've navigated the sea of safety razors, gaining insights into the diverse options available for the discerning wet shaver. Whether you choose the classic double-edge razor, the versatile adjustable option, the efficient slant bar, the open comb for unruly hair, or the hidden gem of a single-edge razor, remember that mastery lies in technique, practice, and finding the razor that sings to your pirate's heart. Experiment with different razors to find the one that suits your preferences, hair type, and shaving style. So, hoist your chosen blade high, set sail on your shaving adventures, and embrace the joys of wet shaving like a true buccaneer of the seas. Happy shaving, me hearties! 

Stay tuned for our bnext blog post  

1. Choosing the Right Tools:
First things first, every seasoned wet shaver needs the right tools in their arsenal. We'll walk you through the essential items you'll need:

- Safety Razor: Discover the charm and precision of a well-crafted safety razor. Learn about different types, such as the classic double-edge razor or the more modern adjustable razors, and find the one that suits your style and experience level.

2. Mastering the Technique:
Now that you're equipped with the proper tools, it's time to master the art of wet shaving. Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve a close and comfortable shave:

- Lathering Like a Pro: Ah, the pinnacle of wet shaving satisfaction lies in the creation of a rich and creamy lather. We'll guide you through the process, sharing tips on selecting the right soap or cream, finding the perfect water-to-soap ratio, and the gentle circular motions to whip up that luxurious froth.

- The Perfect Shave: From the proper razor angle and pressure to the direction of the stroke, we'll guide you through the nuances of achieving a close shave without irritation. Learn the art of multiple passes, maintaining steady hands, and exploring the grain of your beard for the best results.

3. Post-Shave Care:
Congratulations, you've conquered the shave! But the journey isn't over just yet. Proper post-shave care is essential for a healthy and refreshed complexion:

- Aftershave Benefits: Discover the benefits of using aftershave balms, lotions, or splashes. From soothing irritation to moisturizing and nourishing the skin, we'll explore the various aftershave options and their key ingredients.

- Cooling and Refreshing: Explore techniques for closing the pores and providing a cooling sensation post-shave. From cold water rinses to menthol-infused products, we'll uncover the secrets to leaving your skin refreshed and invigorated.

- Moisturizing and Hydration: Don't forget to hydrate and replenish your skin after shaving. We'll share tips on selecting the right moisturizer or post-shave balm to keep your skin supple, smooth, and free from dryness.

Conclusion:
Arrr, matey! You've navigated the treacherous waters of wet shaving and emerged as a true gentleman of the shave! Now that you have a little bit of an idea of what you'll need, let see how we can put this all together for a great shaving experience! Stay tuned for our next blog post " A Gentleman's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Safety Razor". We'll talk about the different types of Safety razors and their benefits. Stay Tuned Savvy!

Pre-shave oil is a valuable addition to your shaving routine, matey. It's a specially formulated oil that's applied to the skin before lathering up with shaving soap or cream. Now, why should ye consider adding pre-shave oil to yer arsenal? Here be the reasons:

1. Softens the beard: Pre-shave oil works its magic by softening the beard hairs, making them more pliable and easier to cut. It helps to moisturize and condition the whiskers, allowing the razor to glide smoothly over the skin without tugging or pulling.
2. Enhances lubrication: The oil forms a protective layer on the skin, providing an extra dose of lubrication during the shaving process. This helps the razor blade to glide effortlessly across the skin, reducing friction and minimizing the chances of irritation and razor burn.
3. Protects the skin: Pre-shave oil acts as a barrier between the razor blade and your skin, offering an added layer of protection. It helps to reduce the direct contact of the blade with the skin surface, preventing potential nicks, cuts, and irritation.
4. Hydrates and nourishes: Many pre-shave oils are formulated with natural oils, such as Jojoba, Argan, or Coconut oil, which have moisturizing and nourishing properties. These oils help to hydrate the skin, keeping it supple and reducing dryness or tightness that may occur during shaving.

Using pre-shave oil is simple, matey. Just apply a few drops of the oil onto your dampened face and gently massage it into the beard area. Allow it to soak in for a minute or two, and then proceed with lathering up your shaving soap or cream. The oil will work its wonders, preparing your skin and beard for a smoother, more comfortable shave.

At Black Ship Grooming Co., we offer a premium pre-shave oil crafted with the finest natural ingredients. Our pre-shave oil will help ye achieve a truly exceptional shaving experience, minimizing irritation, and leaving yer skin feeling nourished and ready to conquer the day.

So, set sail with pre-shave oil, me hearties, and unlock the secrets to a smoother, more comfortable shave. Your skin will thank ye for it!

pre-shave-oil

Instead, we’ll be exploring badger shaving brushes, one of the most desirable and effective shaving tools ever invented. Whether you’re looking to upgrade from canned shaving cream or want to upgrade an existing brush, this guide is for you!

Before we jump into badger hair grades and handle shapes, however, we should probably address the elephant—or badger—in the room: Just why is badger hair so desirable?

Why Badger Hair?

Whoever first thought of making a shaving brush out of badger hair should win some kind of award—or maybe be put in some kind of institution. Or maybe both.

Either way, they were definitely onto something. Unlike hair from other animals, badger hair has the unique property of holding water without bending or losing its form. Since lathering shaving soap requires applying moisture with some force, badger hair’s unique properties make it a perfect candidate for shaving brushes.

Badger brushes aren’t a new concept, either. Invented by the French sometime in the 1750s, badger brushes—then called blaireau, the French word for “badger”—quickly became popular for shaving. However, quality widely varied, and some blaireaus were made of horsehair, boar bristles, and other natural fibers.

Thankfully, today’s badger brushes are a bit more consistent in quality. Most new shaving brushes are now made of badger hair, with horsehair as the major alternative. However, although horsehair is cheaper and, arguably, more sustainable, it has noticeably less lathering capabilities.

Even still, not all badger brushes are made equal. In the next section, we’ll learn how badger hair is graded and bundled together, and what exactly you should look for when choosing your next—or first—badger brush.

Badger Brush Selection

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing a badger brush. While even the cheapest options are still better than using canned shaving cream, even slight differences between grades can make a massive difference in your lather.

While you don’t have to be an expert in grading badger hair or the types of badger brush knots, even a little familiarity is enough to choose a great brush.

What to Look For

There are three things to consider when choosing a badger brush:

1. Badger hair grades—quality
2. Badger brush knots
3. Brush handles

Badger brushes are one of those rare items where the more you pay, the better the result will be—short of solid gold handles, of course. Higher grades of badger hair, for example, generate a better lather in less time than lower grades. Similarly, different knot types affect the strength of the brush and its longevity.

Of course, you don’t need to buy a top-of-the-line badger brush to get great quality—or a great value. 

Badger Hair Grades

Badger hair “grades” designate the quality of the badger hair and, by extension, its lathering capabilities. Grading is the single most important consideration when choosing a brush, as it has the greatest impact on lathering and brush longevity.

There are three major grades of badger hair. Each grade has unique characteristics, depending on where the hair comes from on the badger’s body.

• Pure Badger: The most affordable grade of badger hair, and an excellent choice for beginners. Pure badger covers roughly 60 percent of the badger’s coat, making it widely available but also inconsistent in length. As a result, pure badger must be trimmed before knotting, giving it a rougher feel on the skin than finer grades. However, some shavers prefer this roughness for its great exfoliating capabilities. Pure badger hair usually has a dark color.
• Best Badger: Though more expensive than pure badger, best badger offers greater lathering capabilities and a softer feel without the price of silvertip badger. This “middle ground” between price and performance has made best badger the preferred grade for the majority of shaving enthusiasts. Best badger is also noticeably lighter in color than pure badger, consisting of the fine hairs found on the belly region of the badger’s coat.
• Silvertip Badger: The finest and most luxurious grade of badger hair, silvertip badger provides unparalleled lathering capabilities, softness, and water retention. A silvertip badger brush can whip up a lather in far less time than a pure or best badger brush, due in part to its extremely fine hairs. Silvertip badger hair comes almost exclusively from the neck and cheek sections of the badger’s coat, and must be hand selected before knotting. The “silvertip” name comes from the hair’s silver-colored tips.

Some less-common grades include:

• Finest Badger: Coming from the long hairs of a rare cold-climate species of badger, finest badger is unique in having a thick and sturdy base topped with a soft, fine tip. This unique combination of hard and soft consistencies gives it the strength of pure badger but with the feeling of best or silvertip badger. The added strength makes it ideal for shavers using harder shaving soaps.
• Super Badger: Though some manufacturers use “super” to designate silvertip, super badger is a grade all its own. In most cases, super badger is a halfway point between best badger and silvertip badger; however, most super badger is closer to silvertip badger in all respects.
• Mixed Badger: Ever wonder where all the leftover hair goes after grading? No? Well, in case you were wondering, most of it finds its way into mixed badger brushes. However, that’s not to say that mixed badger is low quality: Most combine pure and best badger hairs, sometimes with even finer grades included. This combination creates an unbeatable value, making it a very popular choice among shavers.

If you’re just getting started in wet shaving, a badger brush may be the ideal choice if you plan to commit to it long-term. However, if you only want to try on wet shaving for size, then a less expensive pure or mixed badger brush would be a better choice. Just be warned: Once you start using a brush, it’s likely you’ll never go back!

Badger Brush Knots

Badger brush knots determine the strength and “power” of a brush, as well as the amount of soap or shave cream they consume. Typically, large knots have higher strength and higher soap consumption.

Knots are categorized by their width and the number of “bands,” which refers to the number of distinct hair colors on the brush. The most common include:

• 2-Band Knots: Black or brown base with cream- or white-colored tips. 2-band knots are typically the thickest available, with the ideal thickness ranging from 24-28mm.
• 3-Band Knots: White- or cream-colored base and tips contrasted by a black or brown middle layer. 3-band knots are notably thinner than 2-band knots, resulting in less of a “backbone” but greater flexibility.
• Synthetic Knots: Where both 2- and 3-banded knots are “true” knots, synthetic knots aren’t actually knots at all; instead, the hairs are simply rooted together on a base. While removing the knot may sound counterintuitive, it comes with benefits that include no soaking, quick drying, and a lower cost than traditional knots.

Brush Handles

Though the handle you choose is largely an aesthetic choice, its weight and material are worth considering. A good handle should be easy to hold and have enough weight to balance the hairs and knot of the brush. Handles come in an extremely wide range of colors and materials, ranging anywhere from colorful combinations of exotic wood to horn, silver, and other luxury materials.

Using a Badger Brush

Though building a lather takes some practice, it’ll get easier as you become familiar with your brush and your shaving soap. Follow this basic routine to get started.

Pre-Shave Prep

Shortly before you shave, place the bristles of your shaving brush into a shaving bowl or mug filled with warm water. This “soak” will relax the knot and saturate the hairs with water, resulting in a better lather and more comfortable shave. Note that this step is not entirely necessary if your brush has a synthetic knot, which doesn't require long soaking.

Lathering Soaps and Shave Creams

Developing a good lather takes practice at first, but it’ll come naturally over time. The exact method you’ll use depends on whether you use shaving soap or shave cream.

• Lathering Shaving Soap: If you’re using a soap “puck,” soak it in a shaving bowl or mug for a few minutes before shaving. After draining the water from your bowl and brush, brush the soap until a thick layer of soap “loads” onto the outer bristles. Remove the soap puck and continue brushing the inside of the bowl with the soap-loaded brush, adding drops of water as necessary until a rich lather forms.
• Lathering Shave Cream: Place a quarter-sized amount of shave cream in your shaving bowl or mug along with a few drops of warm water. Brush the shave cream the same as you would the loaded shaving soap, adding drops of water as necessary until a rich lather forms. Note that the “shave cream” mentioned here is not the same as canned—aerosol—shaving cream!

When in doubt, use less water than you need; you can always add more. A well-developed lather will look similar to lightly whipped cream and billow out from the bowl.

Applying Lather

Apply the lather to your beard area using firm circular motions. Ensure that all beard hairs are coated and standing up, and then do a final pass in straight lines—without soap—to even out the lather.

Post-Shave Cleanup

When you’re finished shaving, rinse the brush under warm water until clean. Shake the brush to remove excess water, and then brush it gently on a dry towel until the hairs are no longer wet. If your brush has a knot, hang the brush with the hairs facing down to ensure that the knot fully dries.

Badger Brush Care

Your brush requires regular care to maintain a good lather and prolong its life. Follow these guidelines to keep your brush in top shape for years to come.

During Shaving

Badger brush care begins during shaving—not just after. How you handle the brush and its hairs has a major impact on brush quality and longevity. During shaving:

• Do not apply too much pressure when brushing. Excess pressure can permanently bend hairs, making it more difficult to develop a lather.
• Let the brush do its job. Apply lather to your face as though you were “painting.” Use light circular motions with just enough pressure to guarantee a thorough spread.

After Shaving

After shaving, it’s crucial to rinse and dry your brush without applying too much pressure to the bristles. Here are a few things you can do.

• Do not squeeze or wring out your brush! Many new shavers make the mistake of squeezing their brush dry, only to cause damage and ruin their investment. Instead, gently shake the brush to remove excess water—much like a dog—and then lightly brush the bristles on a dry towel.
• Hang your brush to dry—especially if it has a knot. You won’t be able to remove all the excess water from your brush immediately after shaving. Ensure that your brush dries completely by hanging it from a shaving stand with the bristles facing down.

Cleaning Your Brush

Many shavers wonder if their brush needs any special cleaning when, in fact, they clean their brush every time they shave! However, soap buildup can call for extra treatment—but it’s crucial not to be too harsh.

• Avoid using strong chemicals and solvents. Bleach, vinegar, and other solvents can cause permanent damage and hair loss to the brush.
• Soak gently in liquid soap if there’s soap buildup. If soap builds up on your brush over time, soak it in a solution of warm water and liquid soap for about ten minutes. Allow to dry naturally.
• Be gentle. No matter how you clean your brush, always be gentle with the hairs.

When to Replace a Badger Brush

With the right care and maintenance, a high-quality brush should last for several years—sometimes well over a decade. However, you should replace your brush if:

• There’s an excess number of bent or missing hairs.
• The brush no longer develops a good lather.
• The knot becomes separated from the handle.

Choosing the Best Badger Brush

Whether you’re buying your first brush or replacing an old one, there’s a lot to choose from. Why not stand out from the rest of the crew with the finest range of shaving brushes on the seven seas? Our hold contains brushes for every budget, ranging from best badger to silvertip badger bundled in only the strongest knots and finest handles this side of the West Indies. For more information, drop us a line or visit BlackshipGroomingCo.com.

Almost everyone who shaves has dealt with painful ingrown hairs at some point in their lives, with some unlucky people frequently developing them after shaving. Even then, for many people, it can seem like no amount of careful shaving or specialty creams and aftershaves can prevent ingrown hairs.

However, is shaving really the root cause of ingrown hairs? Not quite. Though shaving can definitely promote ingrown hairs, it isn’t always the direct cause. In fact, even men with facial hair still develop the occasional ingrown hair under their beards. It seems, then, that ingrown hairs are an unfortunate reality for almost everyone, regardless of whether they shave or not!

Thankfully, even though ingrown hairs are bound to pop up from time to time, most of them are avoidable with the right routines and products. Read on to learn more about how ingrown hairs develop and what you can do to prevent—most of—them.

What Are Ingrown Hairs?

Ingrown hairs are, as their name might suggest, hairs that have “grown in” to the skin rather than growing out as they should. As the hair continues to grow, it plunges farther into the skin and causes severe irritation to both the skin itself and, of course, the unlucky person with the ingrown hair.

How Ingrown Hairs Form

As if ingrown hairs weren’t already bad enough, they take on several different forms. While most ingrown hairs are treated and prevented using the same methods, understanding how they grow and form can help you choose the right products.

A normal hair grows from a hair follicle and out through one of your skin’s many pores. If there’s nothing in its way as it grows, it will continue to grow out and, eventually, contribute to an ever-growing—and increasingly awesome—beard.

Yet what happens when something gets in the way? That’s when an ingrown hair forms. Even initially “successful” hairs that manage to grow out through the pore can become blocked and redirected back into the skin.

For many ingrown hairs, however, the hair never grows through the skin; instead, it grows into the skin from inside the pore, causing painful inflammation and, in some cases, infection. As the hair continues to grow, it will usually curve back into itself and create even more inflammation.

Clearly, your hair needs a clear path through the skin. This point leads us into exactly how ingrown hairs form: blocked pores.

Blocked Pores and Ingrown Hairs

We’ll spare you the studies and research, but science people—which is definitely what they’re called—have determined that there are over 20,000 pores on the average face. Pores fulfill several important functions, most notably producing a natural oil called sebum and, in hairy areas, housing hair follicles.

Pores, however, become blocked if dirt, dead skin, or other debris clogs their openings. Since pores are extremely small, they’re also extremely easy to block—and, unless you’ve just exfoliated, you probably have a few blocked pores right now!

Though pores block and unblock naturally, several things you do can block them. Rubbing your face, for example, can dislodge dead skin cells and force them into a pore opening. Similarly, shaving too aggressively can “drag” dead skin over pore openings and cause blockages.

No matter the type of blockage, a blockage is often enough to cause ingrown hairs. However, ingrown hairs can also form even if there aren’t blockages: Sometimes hair just travels off course!

Why Do Beards Get Ingrown Hairs?

So, if blocked pores cause ingrown hairs, why do they still form when they’re protected by a beard?

While beards can definitely reduce the risk of ingrown hairs by minimizing facial contact, they aren’t impenetrable shields; since ingrown hairs can still form after growing through a pore, even budding beard hairs can curve back into themselves and do further damage. Plus, since hairs naturally fall out and regrow, hair is always regrowing from under the skin.

As a result, whether bearded or shaved, it’s crucial to maintain a clear path for hair growth by keeping your pores clean and facial hair well-groomed.

Health Effects of Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs aren’t just painful and ugly: They also cause long-term skin damage, infections, and other health complications if they’re allowed to get out of hand.

Whether caused by a blocked pore or not, ingrown hairs, ultimately, result in one. In any case, blocked pores are prime candidates for harboring bacteria and, as a result, infection. While isolated infections like these are usually minor—a pimple, for example—an ingrown hair doubles the trouble by keeping the pore blocked and causing further infection and inflammation.

In severe cases, infections resulting from ingrown hairs can result in a cyst, which may require draining, surgery, or antibiotics to remove—but that’s only a severe—read: rare—example; in most cases, ingrown hairs are simply a pain.

How Do I Prevent Ingrown Hairs?

After all this talk about hair growth and blocked pores, you’re probably more than ready to learn how to prevent ingrown hairs after shaving or while maintaining a beard. We certainly are. Simply put, preventing ingrown hairs comes down to just two things:

1. Keep your pores clean and clear—cleansing and exfoliating.
2. Groom and condition your facial hair.

Though that may seem pretty straightforward, there’s much more to consider than meets the eye. For example, if you regularly shave your face, you’ll likely need a different routine than someone maintaining a beard. Even so, it all still comes down to clean pores and good grooming.

Fix Your Shaving Routine

Ingrown hairs are a notable nuisance for many people who shave—so much so that they’ve even earned the nickname of “razor bumps”!

Though it can sometimes feel impossible to shave without getting ingrown hairs, a few changes to your routine—especially your prep!—can make all the difference. Following the steps below will not only help prevent ingrown hairs; it will also make shaving less of a chore and more of a luxury.

Here’s what you should do for every shave.

1. Prep your skin before shaving. Hydrating and lubricating your skin before shaving is probably the single best thing you can do to prevent ingrown hairs. While slathering on some shaving cream might be tempting, it won’t be enough for a good shave. Instead, try shaving after your shower and apply a pre-shave oil or balm. The shower will open your pores while the pre-shave will help your razor glide gently across your skin.
2. Lather with a badger brush. Prep doesn’t stop at pre-shave treatments! How you lather your shaving soap is also crucial to ensuring a good shave. Develop the best lather possible by using a badger shaving brush and shaving bowl, making sure to not make it too thin or too thick. Apply your lather with the brush in circular motions on your skin to make sure your beard hairs are standing up.
3. Shave—gently. We’ve all imagined some grizzled pirate shaving with the side of a cutlass, but that guy probably wound up with tons of ingrown hairs. However, he was definitely onto something by using a single blade; by switching to a single-blade safety razor or straight razor—read: not a cutlass—you’ll minimize irritation while also getting a closer shave. No matter how you shave, however, make sure you shave with the grain of your beard; shaving against or even across the grain is one of the leading causes of ingrown hairs.
4. Tone and moisturize after shaving. After rinsing your face with cold water, apply an alcohol-free aftershave and moisturizer. If you’re prone to razor burn, you may want to consider a moisturizing aftershave or other soothing products, such as an alum block. Either way, your skin will thank you and you’ll smell great. What’s not to love?

This routine may seem involved, but it’s surefire. You may need to practice or experiment with different products and equipment, but the investment will be more than worth it.

Groom Your Beard—the Right Way

Though ingrown hairs are far less likely to develop in beards, they can still pop up after routine grooming, such as shaving the neckline. While our shaving advice is no different here, beard maintenance is still important.

Keep your beard in top shape with this simple routine:

1. Keep your skin moist with beard oil or balm. Though your beard might look great and healthy, it could be disguising dry skin underneath. By using beard oil or beard balm, you’ll be moisturizing both your skin and your beard hair, which may be enough to eliminate ingrown beard hairs. Not sure which to use? Check out our guide.
2. Comb and brush your beard. Using a beard comb and brush doesn’t just improve appearances; it also helps exfoliate your skin while ensuring that your beard products reach every hair.
3. Shave gently around your beard. Using the same routines discussed above will do double-duty for your beard and your skin.

That’s about it! Though it’s a simple routine, it will ultimately benefit you the most if you choose the right products.

Products for Preventing Ingrown Hairs

Whether you shave or maintain a full beard, or something in between, using the right products makes all the difference. From the finest beard oils to hand-crafted shaving brushes and bowls, the treasure trove at Blackship Grooming Co. is yours for the plunder! Check out our product line or drop us a line to find the right arsenal for your routines.

Why Your Beard Isn’t Soft

By knowing the causes of your coarse beard, you can find a more direct solution. Here are some of the most common reasons your facial hair isn’t as soft as you’d like it to be:

• Facial hair easily becomes dehydrated: A lack of moisture can make your beard dry and brittle. Natural oils in your skin provide much needed hydration, but soaps and shampoos can wash them away. Limited fluid intake is also a contributor, so this is one more reason to stay hydrated.

• Minerals in hard water: Many homes deal with hard water or tap water that contains high concentrations of minerals, such as calcium or magnesium. Hard water can leave behind chalky residue. This can roughen beard hair and cause it to tangle up. If you use a beard shampoo, hard water minerals can make it less effective.

• Low temperatures: Cold weather can make your beard hair dry and brittle. Therefore, it’s important to know how to care for it if you live in a chilly climate. Facial hair can be brittle when first growing; at this stage, exposure to sun, wind, and harsh weather strips away the protective layer and split ends develop, leaving a ragged appearance.

How to Make Your Beard Softer

Fortunately, there are personal hygiene techniques to soften up your beard so it looks better and you’re more comfortable. Here are a few examples:

• Washing: A beard is an effective trap for food, dirt, and grime. Excess skin oil can get trapped, as well, and clog up pores, which can lead to a variety of problems. It’s important to wash your beard on a daily basis. To get your beard thoroughly clean:

• Use a hydrating beard cleanser that eliminates unwanted particles and moistens each strand of hair.
• Eliminate excess oil and exfoliate dead skin by cleaning your beard with a soft brush.
• Wash with a beard shampoo; beards are different from scalp and other hair, and washing with regular soap can dry it out.

• Combing/Brushing: This not only straightens hair and helps keep it clean, but also distributes natural oils that help hydrate beard hair. Combing also promotes hair growth in the desired direction, as beard growth patterns naturally vary. Combs can help stimulate growth as well as prevent ingrown hairs. If you use a comb or brush, make sure to use one designed for beard hair.

• Trimming: Regular trimming can smooth out sharp edges caused by shaving. Another advantage of trimming is it can prevent split ends. Most importantly, it helps keep your beard looking attractive and healthy.

• Hydration/Nutrition: If there’s not enough water in your body, there won’t be enough for your beard—beard care options that help here will be covered below. Remember to drink enough fluids every day, which is good for your overall health. A healthy, protein-rich diet is important too. It should include saturated fatty acids—these help produce natural protective oils, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and Vitamin D.

• Beard Oil: This includes essential oils with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils can help reduce dandruff and ingrown hairs and improve blood flow. Common types include eucalyptus oil, lavender, rosemary, rose, and ginger oils. Carrier oils help dilute essential oils to prevent skin irritation. They are also hydrating, while helping deliver the benefits of compounds they’re mixed with; carrier oils include coconut, and sunflower oils.

If you have greater styling needs, a beard balm offers a more heavy-duty solution. It is highly nourishing for both skin and facial hair. Beard balm is easy to use; here are a few simple steps:

• Dispense a small amount, about the size of a pea.
• Rub it in your hands to warm it up.
• Apply to your beard in an upward motion, starting below the chin.
• Smooth it out with your hands and a comb.

In addition to essential oils and carrier oils, beard balm contains some beeswax, which improves hold, and nut butters such as cocoa, shea, kokum, etc., which make it easier to spread and rub in the balm.

How to Make Your Beard Soft

If “how to soften my beard” has been nagging your mind, the above tips can help protect it from the elements and keep it smooth and stylish. Regular washing, trimming, and maintaining hydration and nutrition help. A softer, smoother beard can also be achieved with products from Blackship Grooming Co. We offer high-quality beard oils and beard balms to soften, moisten, and style your beard.

Additionally, we supply premium brushes and combs, as well as razors, razor blades, and other bath and body products. Place your order online. For assistance, call 724-201-6411 or contact us online.

It’s the ideal time to clean the house, take online classes, learn to play bass, read those James Patterson paperbacks that have been lying around for years, or maybe just relax and try to take life one day at a time. For many men across America, their big Bucket List project is to let their facial hair grow—and grow.

That’s understandable. Many men were reluctant to start growing their beards out while they were still showing up at work five days a week. However, the quarantine has given them the ideal opportunity to experiment without the whole wide world needing to see all the mistakes being made as those little hairs get longer and longer on their face. And believe us, there are quite a few mistakes that can be made.

If you’ve never grown a beard before, you need to realize at the outset that there’s more to it than just putting the razor away for a few months and letting nature take its course.

There are important steps you have to take before you can achieve whatever hirsute look you’ve been thinking about. In that spirit, we offer this brief step-by-step guide on how to grow and shape a beard during lockdown.

Step #1: Give Yourself a Good Shave

You’ll need to start with a blank slate. Take the time to give yourself the closest shave you can manage. That may sound a little odd, but there are several reasons why you want to do this before you embark on your journey for the ideal beard.

For one thing, shaving can minimize the number of ingrown hairs you will have to deal with later on. Another reason is that shaving allows you to do some important prep work before you let your hair run free. Just remember to put on generous amounts of cream to get the hairs to stand out properly, and it’s probably a good idea to break out a brand-new razor for the task. Go slow and be careful.

While we’re on the subject, we might as well clear away a certain misconception about shaving. Many people believe that shaving causes your hair to grow back thicker. The problem with this idea is that there’s little science to support it.

There’s nothing about shaving that will increase the number of follicles you have, or cause your hair to become denser. So why do people believe that? One reason may be a simple visual illusion.

For many men, the ends of their facial hair become lighter due to exposure to sunlight. After you shave, the hairs that begin to grow out may be darker than what you’re used to seeing because they haven’t been bleached by the sun. That’s why they seem denser, but they really aren’t.

So you’re done shaving. Now what? It’s on to the second of our quarantine beard tips.

Step #2: Cleanse and Moisturize Your Skin

This occurs immediately after Step #1. First, you need to wash your face, and you’re going to do a really thorough job with it, just as you did in the first step. Get a natural soap; avoid the kind with weird chemicals—they’re needlessly harsh on your skin and tend to promote dryness. While applying soap, gently run your fingertip around your face to help remove dead skin cells.

When you’re done with that, it’s time to moisturize. You can do that really well with beard oil or balm. These are both highly effective moisturizing agents, and they share many of the same ingredients.

The difference between them is that beard oil is mainly for moisturizing your beard hairs, while beard balms moisturize your hairs and your skin. So which one should you use? That really depends on your personal preferences, and at this point in your journey you probably don’t have any. You might need to experiment a little.

As your beard grows, you should be using one of these moisturizing agents every day. This will soften your beard hairs, reduce dandruff, and help eliminate itchy skin.

But back to the present. Take some of that beard oil/balm and put some in the palm of your hand. Then get some on the fingertips of your opposite hand. Apply the liquid on your fingertips all around the area of your face where your beard will be growing. You don’t need a whole lot.

Step #3: Let It Grow Out

Now that you're done shaving and moisturizing, it's time to let your beard emerge. This is not, of course, an overnight process. You'll have to be patient and give your beard the opportunity it needs to flourish in all its rude glory.

That should take a minimum of one month, and preferably two—maybe even more if that’s what it takes. During that period, you're mostly just going to go about your business while those little hairs protruding from your face and neck get longer by the day.

Is that all you really need to do at this stage? Many people say yes—they advise just allowing your beard to develop and worry about trimming it down later. Others think it's a good idea to trim your cheeks a little while the rest of your beard fills in, to avoid inflicting yourself with an excessively "round" shape to your face.

If you like, you can also take steps to figure out where your neck line will be. You're going to need to keep your hairs from growing too far south if you want to avoid the infamous "neckbeard" look (unless that's what you really want).

Opinions vary on where the ideal neck line should rest, and ultimately it comes down to your personal preference. One popular style is to have a neck line just above your Adam's apple. Use your finger to draw an imaginary line starting at one ear, passing down across your neck, and this rising up to your opposite ear. That's your neck line. You're going to be shaving everything beneath that boundary.

You'll also need to figure out the top line of your beard. Again, you're going to draw an imaginary line with your finger from the bottom of your sideburn to the corner of your moustache. (As you may have guessed, it helps to have at least some growth in these areas so you have something to work with.) Anything north of that line is stuff that isn't really part of your beard and should be shaved off.

Again, keep in mind that you don't really need to do this yet if you'd rather let your beard grow to its full length before tinkering with it. But it is an issue you need to address before long.

There's another problem you may have to deal with: beard itch. A lot of men start getting itchy—really itchy—as their beard hairs lengthen. And the itch can set in pretty early in the process.

Fortunately, you have an important weapon in your fight against itching, and it's that beard oil stuff we already told you about. Beard oil helps remedy the dryness that promotes itching. It also keeps your beard clean—dirt is another cause of itchy skin.

Getting in the habit of using that stuff every day will not only reduce itchiness but also provide a number of other beard-friendly benefits. Beards that have been treated with oil are more supple, so they're easier to style and less likely to be affected by hair breakage. Some people also find that beard oil helps minimize patchiness—that is, areas where hair refuses to grow properly.

With luck, a bit of persistence (and beard oil—don't forget the beard oil) will give you a full beard that you can now style to your heart's content.

Step #4: Managing Your Beard

So you've now grown out your beard. It's likely you look kind of unruly, like a caveman or one of those unfortunate souls who turn into werewolves after dark. Maybe that's your ideal, but probably you prefer to refine your beard to some extent.

In that case, you need to learn the art of trimming. The good news is that this isn't too difficult. All you really need is a beard trimmer and the patience to learn how to use it to get the look you want.

What if you don't know what look you want? Experimentation is an important part of any novice beard aficionado. It may take a while to figure out how to trim a beard in a way that makes you look presentable.

The simplest strategy is to cut your beard evenly all the way around. Figure out what hair length you're comfortable with, and then make it that length all over. Depending on how quickly your beard grows, you can expect to find yourself trimming it anywhere from once a week to once a month, but some men do their maintenance outside this range, either more frequently or less.

If you're willing to get into slightly more advanced concepts in beard styles, keep in mind that an oval shape tends to be the most effective type. This means arranging your beard in a way that makes your face look like an oval.

For instance, if you have a naturally round face, you want your beard to be long around the chin and relatively short at the sides. And don't forget your mustache—most men prefer to keep those hairs from inching over the lip.

It's also a sound idea to become acquainted with beard maintenance products. There are a lot of good beard products to aid proper growth. The beard comb is just one of these useful items. Just run one of these combs through your beard to keep hairs from tangling up and help you create a smooth "clean" look. Additionally, combing your beard right after applying oil enables you to spread the liquid more evenly.

Just as you wash the hair on the top of your head, you should also wash the hair on your face. This is another way to prevent the dreaded beard itch and keep everything looking good. Washing 2-3 times a week should be enough, but this is another area where you need to figure out what works for you.

Bear in mind that washing your beard too often will strip out important oils needed to maintain health. You may also wish to consider investing in some beard shampoo rather than the generic stuff—many beard wearers insist that this type of specialized product gives them superior results.

Remember that keeping your beard in proper condition is an ongoing process. You can always find top beard products—everything from razors to lip balms—at Black Ship Grooming Co., a leading manufacturer of handmade shaving supplies since 2011.

Avoiding the dry beard altogether

Before we get into it, we’d just like to mention that winter doesn’t have to mean dry beard session. Yes, we’ll take care of any issues for you, but we love our customers just as much as we love creating handmade, lightweight scents for our line of beard oil.

With these tips, your worries of dry beard will be gone forever:

• Avoid harsh, chemical-filled soaps

• Invest in a high-quality, natural beard soap

• Add an essential oil (like tea tree) to your daily routine to reduce beardruff

• Don’t over wash. No, this is not permission to get funky, just to maintain an acceptable balance.

Nourishing your skin while maintaining the natural oils your body produces is key in avoiding dry beard.

Carrier oils are where it’s at

However, sometimes no matter how hard you try, dry beard just happens. Don’t worry, we got you. At Black Ship Grooming we understand that the carrier oils are where it’s at when it comes to timely and effective resolution. That’s why you’ll only find the best, most natural ingredients in our oils. Here’s a look -

• Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba)

Native to the southern portion of the country, jojoba oil is produced from the Simmondsia chinensis, or simply the jojoba plant. The oil is known for its various healing properties for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Further, it helps with hair loss, dry hair, and dandruff. Need we say more?

•  Avocado oil

Taming frizz with the ultimate moisture solution – avocado oil. With the numerous healthy properties in this oil, your beard will be revived, replenished, and strong as a clap of thunder.

• Argan oil

Promoting beard growth, argan oil will help you achieve the manly luscious beard you dreamed of as a young lad.

• Sweet almond oil

Lightweight, this oil quickly penetrates into the hair leaving no greasy, slimy mess behind. Besides smelling awesome, this oil also promotes growth and keeps beardruff at bay.

Don’t let dry beard ruin your winter, check out the line of beard oil from Black Ship Grooming. Our premium, lightweight formulas will have your mane tamed in no time! While you’re at it, visit our Facebook page for all the latest products and releases during our 12 days of Christmas Shavings! 

Pirates were adventurers. Bold and fearless, they took to the open waters with one mission in mind – to better their current position. Much like the mission here at Black Ship Grooming. Here, we are men. We are men who shave with boldness yet look for ways to make shaving life better. Shaving soap is one of those ways. Much like the cannon to the pirate, our shaving soap comes in variety and provides the ultimate solution.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the pirate cannon and why these hearties were known as firearms masters.

On land versus the sea

Different from the practices we’re accustomed to, the cannon had many different names to the pirate. When on shore, the cannon was referred to as a cannon. However, when at sea, the cannon became a gun. Likewise, the cannonball was no longer that, but instead, a shot.

Variety is the spice of life

Since the lingo was different, why would the weaponry be any different? Unlike warships, a pirate ship was armed with a wide variety of cannons. Due to the fact that most were stolen, having a fleet of matching cannons was near impossible. Because of the variety of cannon, there were several different calibers and kinds of ammunition as well.

No, it wasn’t just cannon balls that were shot from the ships, pirates are more creative than that! One of our favorites, as documented by the History Channel, is the chain shot. Think of a cannonball, now shrink it to fist-size. Now, take two of those balls and connect them by a heavy metal chain. When loaded and shot through the cannon, the chain shot would extend in the air allowing a wrapping effect once the target was hit. Because of the force, when the chain shot wrapped around its target, it would often snap it in half.

Now don’t get grossed out here thinking pirates were aiming for the kill. In fact, their mission was quite the opposite. A pirate’s goal was not to sink the passing ships but to stop them by attacking their sails. Once stopped, the crew would board and take the passing ship’s booty for themselves.

Like pirates, we’re always looking for new ways to extend our loot here at Black Ship Grooming. With Black Friday around the corner, you won’t want to miss the latest shaving soap release! This limited edition includes moisture-rich ingredients like argan and sunflower oils, and will have you headed to decks to shoot off the cannons (yes, we dropped a little hint right there).

Be sure to check out our Facebook page for all the latest products and releases during our 12 days of Christmas Shavings! 

Black Ship Grooming shaving soap is made by hand. Every time.

In a world more cautious about ingredients than ever before, knowing that your products are handmade provides peace of mind. Someone willing to take the time to carefully craft, hand-select ingredients, and package your product is serious not only about their products but their customers.

Fresh ingredients in your soap are as important as a fresh salad.

You’ve gone out to a restaurant and were served a salad to start the meal. However, the lettuce is wilting and turning brown, the cucumbers are mush, and the carrots are rubbery – no thanks.

Now, you’re in the local convenience store checking out the wide array of boxed soap lining the aisle. With promises of sensitivity protection and ultimate hydration, which one do you choose? None of them – they’re all formulated with massive amounts of chemicals and preservatives. Two very broad terms that allow the product to remain in tiny little boxes for months and look brand new.

Fresh versus canned – we’ve all heard it before.

Lathering has never been easier.

While the purpose of regular soap is to attack the dirt, shaving soap is to make a lather. Shaving means running a sharp blade over the surface of your skin (duh). Now, consider the protection you’ve been offered against that blade – regular soap which creates a thin film, or shaving soap that creates a stable, hydrating barrier. Seems obvious to us.

Shaving soap is fancy.

Let's face it; who doesn’t like to get a little fancy sometimes? No, we’re not talking about glitter and glamour, we’re talking about a container for your soap. Yes, it’s that simple. Think about it – you’re in the shower or at the sink and you have a bar of commercialized soap. How many times has your soap slipped from your hands and fallen to the drain? Probably too many to count.

With shaving soap, you no longer have the slippery soap battle. No, those days are long gone. Our soap comes in a handy little plastic tub that won’t rust, slip, and stores with ultimate ease.

Of course we could go on for hours about why the shaving soap from Black Ship Grooming is far superior to commercialized options, but we’re figuring you may need a refill on the rum by now.

Be sure to check out our extensive line of handmade soaps here at Black Ship Grooming! Until next time!

Charles Darwin

Known for his contributions to science with the theory of evolution, Darwin had one serious beard. Grown between 1862 and 1866, the bushy white beard hung well below the collar line and became an intriguing symbol of masculinity. How appropriate for such a scholar.

Abraham Lincoln

If you take a look through U.S. history, there’s no arguing Abraham Lincoln has one of the most notable and clean-cut beards of all time. The chin curtain style suited this gentleman quite well.

“There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes.” ~ Abe Lincoln

Karl Marx

Described as one of the most influential figures in human history, Karl Marx was a philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, socialist revolutionary, and beard lover. Although he could have used a bit of beard oil, we’re in admiration of this man.

Sophocles

In ancient Greece, there once was a playwright named Sophocles. Writing more than 120 plays, his full, thick, perfectly curled beard sure was something to reckon with!

Grizzly Adams

Admit it, at some point growing up you wanted the ultimate man beard accomplished by Mr. Adams. We need to give credit where credit is due, and Dan Haggerty rocked the full beard like no other.  

Although the list goes on and on, we’ve covered a few of our favorites. No matter how different these gentlemen may seem, they all had one thing in common – the use of a beard care kit. We wish we could travel back and discover the mysteries of these iconic beards. But, for now, we’ll continue creating the ultimate line of beard care products that every man needs!

At Black Ship Grooming, we appreciate a good beard as much as the next man. Be sure to check out our popular beard care sets that includes everything from the comb to the oil!

The questions around aftershave are endless. That is why our team from Black Ship Grooming is here to set the record straight. We’ve compiled the most commonly asked questions concerning aftershave and its process, piled them into this article, and, yes, we’re answering them for you too. Enjoy!

What is aftershave?

Even the roughest pirates like smooth skin and that’s where aftershave enters the scene. Formulated to protect and heal, this product will help moisturize while cooling the burn of shaving.

Is it bad not to use this product?

Of course it is! No, we’re just kidding. Aftershave is a preference, but once you try it, you’ll be wondering why you ever hesitated. Dry, itchy, irritated, razor-burned skin is put to rest with the amazing powers of aftershave. But hey, if you don’t mind being uncomfortable, by all means, bypass the step.

How (and when) do I correctly apply aftershave?

As the name implies – after you shave – is when you want to apply. You don’t need much – just a splash or two to calm the storm.

Why do so many movies show kids screaming when applying their dad’s aftershave?

Aaahhhh good ole Hollywood. Here’s the problem – many aftershave products are formulated with an alcohol base. Irritated skin, razor burn, possible nicks – then apply alcohol. We think you get the picture.

Lucky for you, you’ve discovered Black Ship Grooming. Our products will never create drama. With ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and witch hazel, you’ll get the relief you’re looking for without the burn.

What’s in Black Ship Grooming’s aftershave that makes it so awesome?

Besides the natural ingredients that are beneficial to your skin, our product line will take the funk out of the stale ship. From the popular Captain’s Reserve to newly introduced Christmas Cannons, there’s a scent for every man and every season.

And there you have it. The top five questions and the answers. We hope you found this helpful, but if not, here’s how to find us –

https://blackshipgroomingco.com/pages/contact-us

At Black Ship Grooming, we have all of your shaving needs covered. From handmade 32 pounder to the top of line variety of aftershaves, we have what your skin needs.

Remember to like us on Facebook to stay updated on all the coolest releases and updates!

If you're in the Pittsburgh area you really need to check out the House of Ferruzza in Bethel Park, PA. You can get a great Cut, Smoke some really great cigars in their Cigar Lounge while you wait!.  Talk to Sam (The Owner/ Head Barber/ honorary Pirate)  He'll get you Ship Shape!

We have also joined forces with Home2Nest in their Vince Neal Collection. We think there will be some great things coming with them Stay Tuned for more info!

We also will be working with another top supplier in California, But were keep ing that one a secret for now!

to see where we are near you check out our stockist page!

This month's Pirate is someone that I've come to know quite well. This was an easy one for me to choose and I'm happy that they chose to honor our request to be the pirate of the month. What I have failed to add to these posts is my connection to them. So setting forth I plan on posting that as well.  With that, let's dig into how I know this months pirate as well as his connection to the Black Ship Grooming Co.

A couple of years ago when I was still known as The Beaver woodwright, I was messing around on facebook. I had fallen away from posting much on Facebook. I also was in the midst of the process of changing my company's name. I received a lot of flack from family and friends about changing the name but I still felt that it was the right thing to do and it was the right time. 

So I went back to Facebook and made a vague Pirate post "who was on board the pirate ship". This decision had bothered me and I really wasn't sure if this was the right decision.  I decided to try this vague comment out as a test.  the purpose was to dip my toes into the waters so to say and see how it would be treated.  

The result of the post was purely refreshing and quite the opposite dread that I thought was coming my way. One of the Comments was from this month's Pirate. It stated, "Peg Leg, Captain". Everyone that commented had picked a pirate name and some even posted their position on the post. Out of that simple post, our name change was cemented and one of our soaps eventually became named after him. 

Let us introduce Matthew "Peg Leg" Nichols!  Let's start the Q&A. 

Why & how long ago did you start wet shaving?

Matthew: I was looking for a better way to shave and was into podcasts.  I found the HTGAM podcast and started listening, and that was how I fell down the rabbit hole.

what got you into wet shaving:

Matthew: I was tired of the prices of cartridge razors and the constant irritation from the shaves.  Also, there wasn’t any variety in the scents that were offered.

What is the most surprised you the most when you started wet shaving?

Matthew: The sheer amount of gear that was available for such a niche industry/hobby.  Also, everyone I met was willing to help and offer advice.  Everyone was so cool, no matter how long they’d been shaving.

If you could have only one razor, what would it be and why?

Matthew: It would be my iKon 101.  It was one of my first razors and also a gift from my wife.

Are you a face lather or bowl lather? why do you like to face or bowl lather?

Matthew: I lather both styles.  Usually I face lather since I find it easier and it saves time.

What is your favorite type of DE shaver?

Matthew: My iKon 101 is my favorite DE razor.

Do you have a favorite shaving brush? if so what is it & why do you prefer it over the others?

Matthew: I don’t really have a favorite brush, but I do prefer silvertip badger.  I get the best lather results with that type of knot

What type of scents do you like?

Mattthew: I like cologne scents or masculine fruit scents.  I also like scents that are reproductions of old-school scents or current popular scents.

What is your favorite scent?

Matthew: Pirates Bay and Peg Leg Nichols are my favorite Black Ship soaps, and Stirling sandpiper and B&M Cool are a couple others I really enjoy.

What did you shave with today?

Matthew: I shaved with 7 doubloons.  A great soap with a really nice apple scent.  

If you were a Pirate Captain what would you name your boat?

Matthew: My ship would be named The Destroyer.

What would your pirate name be and why would you choose that name?

Matthew: I’d be called Peg Leg Nichols, I’d be a jack of all trades and ships mascot.

Tell us something about you that we don't know?

Matthew: I’m related to Neil Armstrong on my mother’s side. (editorial: this actually really cool!) 

What is your day Job?

Matthew: I’m a professional chef, currently the head chef of my local Kroger.  I’ve cooked for the president of Kroger a couple times.

We would like to thank Matthew for taking the time to talk to use and for being our Pirate of the month. If you have any questions that you would like to see asked in our next pirate of the month feature, Post them below. Who knows you may be the next victim.....err I mean Pirate of the month, Savvy!

on your bathroom sink. They do so much more for you. A shaving brush is one piece of your shaving puzzle. So let's get right to it then.

When you shave you need to apply your soap, cream or foams ( Ugh, I did say just the F**m word) in a manner that will help raise the hair while dispersing the soap. Now I know what you're saying to yourself, That's what my hand is for.  Yes, technically you could do that but there are reasons that are actually not the best way of applying your soap. Besides no self-respecting pirate would do that. You could take an eye out with your hook!

Brushes will help add moisture and air to your soap, which in turn will make your lather thicker. A brush will help to raise hairs instead of pushing or laying them flat against your skin. Some brushes can even offer some exfoliation. Try that with your hands without massive callouses and a pumice stone! 

If you really think about it, when you apply soap with a brush instead of your hand you're able to coat the hairs with your soap. The hairs will stand up making it easier to cut. The hair will be surrounded by moisture which has the added benefits of making the hair softer and less brittle. This alone will make your shaving experience less irritating. 

As you can see, just using a shaving brush can greatly improve your overall shaving experience.  Shaving should be just that, an experience that you look forward to taking!

in our next post, we'll talk about the types of shaving brush hairs that you can buy these days. If you want to take a peek at our offerings you can see them here: Black Ship Grooming Co's Shaving Brushes

Well, that is a very good question. The Black Ship crew wanted to create more than just a newsletter. We wanted to have a way to communicate about what's new and whats on deck. 

Ever wondered what it takes to make your favorite shaving soaps? How about how a shaving brush is made?  We did, that's how we started!  We plan on sharing with our brotherhood sneak peeks into the Captain's creations. Everyone loves to see how things are made and what we're working on next. We think you'll like this too. 

We want our pirate brethren to get their just rewards. We think a newsletter shouldn't just be junk mail. So we plan on giving you some exclusive member only treasure.  We'll have Newsletter member only coupons that will only get released in the newsletters. if your not a member the coupon will not apply. How about new scent or product releases, you'll get special member-only release dates for new products before anyone else! Plus you'll be the first to know when we're going to release a new product!  

We're going to highlight some of favorite crewmates and Destinations. What better way to get to know each other. We think this will be a great way to share some information about all of our brotherhood. What we like, maybe who we made walk the plank (we really don't make anyone walk the plank, it would be fun though) maybe we can learn from each other. We want to hear what our crewmates have to say so we hope that you comment and share with each other. 

Also, we plan on answering some of our crew's questions. Do you have a burning question that you would like to see answered? We're sure you do. we'll have a link in each email that you can send it to or just ask below. I'll have Captain Kelly get you the answer. 

We have a lot of plans for our newsletter and we hope you'll enjoy the format If you haven't already signed up for the newsletter you can by clicking the link below.