What to have someone bring from the US?

halvor

halvor

a most elusive fish
A colleague of mine kindly offered, unsolicited I may add, to bring home some stuff for me from a trip to US and Canada. (I had the Paradigm SE razor shipped to my work address a while back, which was when she caught whiff of my rather peculiar interest in shaving. She wowed at the sight of the razor, I should add.)

So, the question is, what to get? I am fully aware that this is a 'how long is a rope' kind of question, but think quality, bargain relative to getting it in Europe, or stuff I wouldn't otherwise be able to have shipped (alcohol aftershaves and perfume, notably). I'm thinking of a couple of sets soap and ASL. Suggestions? Or perhaps what would YOU get is the better formulation?
 
Last edited:
motto

motto

Forum GOD!
In general I would look after expensive items on which it makes sense to avoid european import fees / VAT. There is a wide range of premium razors and artisan brushes made in the US on which european customs fees really hurt.
If you have a Rex Amabasor Adjustable in your den, I would consider buying to new travel case availabe from Razor Emporium or Bullgoose. Softwarewise I would order some Hemmingway Accoutrements soap or AS.

Regards Marco
 
S

sev-8

Forum GOD!
I'm interested to hear what people suggest too as I'll be traveling to the US and Canada this summer.
 
N_Architect

N_Architect

Travel, See, Feel, Explore
From the U.S. I would personally get things which are not easy (or which are expensive) to have shipped into Europe. This would obviously depend on which European country one lives in and would mainly include hi-end safety razors, artisan badger brushes (e.g. Carnavis and Richardson), and after shaves.

There are restrictions to U.S. artisan brush makers for not exporting animal hair, in the same way there are restrictions for exporting alcohol containing articles. Add to that the limited availability (in Europe) of razors such as Timeless, and you have yourself a first draft map of how to plan a set of nice acquisitions.

Last but not least, articles which are not available in Europe, e.g. Pre de Provence shaving soap, Dominica Bay Rum, etc. There are specific U.S. vendors who sell these items, so one can order online and have the articles shipped to a CONUS residence/hotel location.
 
Batch300

Batch300

Extraordinarily Uncomplicated
I am guessing you new found friend thinks she can go into any store and get something (which is true for jeans, perfume, etc). Ask what cities and look up any shaving stores or men's stores. A nice jar of soap would make both you and her "feel good". If legal, another idea is bottle of after shave (with alcohol).

Many items would have to be mailed to her at some location.
- Brushes: Paladin, Brad Sears, Elite Razor and probably others have some ready made badger brushes
- Razors: Blackland/Blackbird, Rex, Timeless including titanium, have stock
- if time allows, a custom made brush
 
Northam Saint

Northam Saint

Forum GOD!
You really need to order up and get it delivered to a location during her stay. It’s hard to find shaving stuff over there. Even a pack of blades can be a rare find. The only things you’ll find out in the open is Van De Hagen soap, may be Pinauld and Personna blades. Even then they aren’t always easy finds. I did hit the jackpot last year with a bottle of Thayers Witch Hazel. Shopping wise it ain’t a land of milk and honey !
 
SeanC

SeanC

Forum GOD!
Anything you want that has high shipping or VAT costs i.e. not stocked by Maggards or is prohibited from shipping i.e. badger hair or alcohol, in other words spoilt for choice.

If it were me I would get high end hardware avoiding shipping and import duty and a few soap / splash sets
 
halvor

halvor

a most elusive fish
Just to be clear, yes, the idea was to order myself and have it delivered to her hotel.

She'll be in Toronto and Washington, DC, btw.

So, aftershave and soap sets, what would you get?
 
Northam Saint

Northam Saint

Forum GOD!
halvor said:
Just to be clear, yes, the idea was to order myself and have it delivered to her hotel.

She'll be in Toronto and Washington, DC, btw.

So, aftershave and soap sets, what would you get?
Click to expand...
I mainly ordered soap for delivery to my friend when we went over last year. I’ve also ordered torches, and bits and pieces of EDC gear. In the past I ordered a Dirty Bird Scuttle and bought that back in my carry on too. It saves on shipping which from the USA can be pretty steep. My American friend thinks it’s pretty funny, she doesn’t get the difficulties, shipping and low allowances for duty etc.
 
p.b

p.b

Forum GOD!
B&M Reserve aftershave- you like Fern don't you?
CRSW - Soap and ASL
Mystic Waters
Mike's Natural Soap (the ones not offered by Maggards inc. shampoo bars)
Paladin brush
Grooming Dept soaps and serums

Everything else you can get via Maggards / Top of the Chain.
 
Batch300

Batch300

Extraordinarily Uncomplicated
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top