Review: Maple Shave Stand by Creations By Will
If there’s an overlooked item in the shave kit, it’s a brush/ razor stand to keep valuables tidy. While shavers focus on the act itself when splurging on items, post swipe tends to be a forgotten task. Some might even call it a chore. The art of home tonsorial activities is relaxing until the water splashes are absorbed, the trusty shave brush is cleaned and hung, and the razor is polished. If only there was an attractive device to meet this need.
Years ago, Portland Razor Company crafted a custom straight razor with maple burl scales. The scales are the protective pieces the razor blade is tucked into for safe keeping. The material has deep meaning, so when maple is incorporated into a shaving piece, it’s easily added to the shave kit. Having cruised through the Long Rifle Soap Company website, a maple shave stand stood out. Its modest price made the monetary exchange worth it. With woodworking by Creations by Will, an California artist, the Maple Shave Stand would make an excellent addition to the shave collection.
The Maple Shave Stand works in twos. The stand features two materials: maple and gunmetal hardware. The stand also features two stands: one for the shave brush, and one for the double edged razor. The simplicity is the best part, and this stand commands simple design. The stand takes up little space atop the sink, a detail that might be overlooked when asking a stand to hold two items.
The first side of the stand holds a double edge razor. The prongs are angled upwards at the end to prevent slippage. No razor here will slide off in the middle of the night, waking the household. With a minimalist approach to the stand, it’s the razor that takes center stage and not the stand itself. The shine of the double edge stood in stark relief of the gunmetal base and hooks.
The second side is arguably the most important. This is where the brush is stored, and it’s not just for looks. Storing brushes by hanging them prevents mold and mildew. Again, the minimalist design comes through, allowing air to circulate around the brush when it is not in use. This promotes a hygienic brush, reducing contaminate concern. Loaded with a brush and straight razor, the stand punches above its minimalist stature. Should the stand be visible to guests, expect to receive compliments.
The stand should be ordered with scrutiny. An inquisition into whether a shavette or straight razor could lean safely in the double edge razor prong was a hard no. There were attempts on all three shave brushes to explore compatibility. Only one shave brush’s handle fit. No worries, the same issue plagued the last stand. Perhaps the builder could offer wider-gauged prongs to allow thicker brushes to be accommodated.
The maple shave stand joins the other aspects of wet shaving - its timelessness. This is a piece of shaving kit that can be handed down, joining sets like the razor, brush, and strop. Its minimalist design takes up little space while speaking volumes to a craft long forgotten. The maple shave stand’s functionality demonstrates that some things are best left to simple design of two materials, put together to create a timeless shave stand.
