Sugar Cane Vintage Wash & Premium Care

What should we do with a nice rigid denim when it's dirty? I have multiple ways of keeping it clean but I have never used any form of washing machine or detergent. This special treatment by Sugar Cane involves eight steps to clean your precious jeans. The treatment seems to be denim friendly so I am going to give it a try for my current project, a selvage 501. More info on RAWR Denim.

Jermyn Street Shaving Set

Shaving is one of the things that separate men from the boys. The tradition of shaving is one I keep close to my heart. My dad always uses a good brush, old school shaving soap and a vintage Gilette safety razor. For me shaving is something I do for special occasions, but the ritual of classic shaving is something I admire and cherish.

Good equipment is essential. One of our readers pointed out the shop "Tailor of Old Bond Street". They have a good collection of male grooming products. A safety razor or a straight razor takes some practice if you want to emerge smooth and unharmed from the bathroom. The functional design of a contemporary razor with a proper looking handle might be a good suggestion. A small kit like the Jermyn Street Shaving Set will get you there. It includes shaving cream, a badger shaving brush and handle designed to use the Mach 3 razors. Comfort and style for about 80 euro. Thanks Olivier for sharing!

Kent Military Brush

A few weeks ago I had a discussion in the shop about hair brushes. Daan thought it was a shame I used the brush that I used. We're surrounded by cool stuff, and here was this plastic "monstrosity" in my scout pack. It did meet its basic requirements at the time, but Daan's comment and advice to go for a military hairbrush fired up my appetite for something that would match our requirements, both in looks and functionality.

Today I came across G.B. Kent & Sons Ltd. Commonly known as Kent Brushes, this British company started making brushes in 1777. Amazingly, they have had a Royal Warrant from the beginning. This means they have been supplying the English Royal Family for over nine reigns. The company was run by the Kent family for six generations, until 1932. The last of the three Kent brothers passed away and Eric Cosby, owner of Cosby Brushes, went into association with the company. The company is still run by the Cosby family today.

The men's brushes from Kent come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The bristle versions are the ones I was looking for. This mostly oval shaped brush is generally referred to as the military brush. The handles are made of Cherry, Beech or Ebony wood. My favorite is the MN11. It is made of Ebony wood, which is a very dark timber and comes with a pure black bristle. This combination gives it a very durable, quality appearance. It has been marked on the hit list for next month..

Red Wing Shoe Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation ; To restore to useful life, as through therapy and education or To restore to good condition, operation, or capacity.

This is what Wikipedia has to say about rehabilitation. So shoe repair is more than just to repair what is broken.. Almost everyone has a pair of old beaters in their closet somewhere that you just don't dare throw away. Well if these old beaters are Red Wing Shoes you are in luck, a lot of people are not aware of the possibility to restore the shoes and giving them back their dignity. On Redwing1905 I found some great pictures showing part of the process to restore the classic 875's.

We are currently exploring the possibilities to repair shoes for customers. We will keep you posted on our developments.

Reproofing Waxed Cotton

When I bought my Levi's by Filson Trucker Jacket I received a small can of Filson Wax. This was enclosed in the package from the USA to reproof my jacket if necessary.  This is because creases can cause tearing of the waxed fabric after a long period of use. Reproofing makes sure you can use your waxed product forever. If you have never seen a waxed jacket or bag check out Filson, Barbour or the Duluth Packs (from which the last one will soon be available at our store).

Today Archival Clothing has posted a very good guide on how to reproof you own jackets, packs and caps. Just surf to their blog, get the stuff you need and do it yourself.

A Lifetime of Boots

It is amazing to have footwear that looks better over time. Dirt, grease, creases and other marks give your shoes more character. Some even refer to their shoes as a way of showing their identity, as it is common among denim enthusiasts. The more worn out they look, the more precious they usually become. The boots on the left are brand new. The ones in the middle are mine and just 3 months old. On the right there is a heavy worn-in collectible which we received as a present at the opening. They do look amazing, don't they?

It is not heresy if you want to keep your boots clean, we however feel strongly that Red Wing Shoes are made to be used. Treat them rough, because they can stand a beating. This will make the boots even more unique. Nevertheless you should care for them in a proper way. Clean them once in a while and condition them with oils or protectors. Feel free to contact us if you need some advice on shoe care for your Red Wings.

Short back and sides

Every time I go to my hairdresser I'll sit there, browsing all magazines available hoping to find the perfect hairdo for my head.

Back in the 1930's they had the perfect solution to this problem, just get the same haircut! A Clean cut tapered look that flows seamlessly with your facial hair and is easy to maintain, the ''Short back and sides'' was born.

So next time you go to your local hairdresser and don't have a clue what to do with that birds nest on your head, i suggest you go for this guy's 'do.