As the mother of 2 handsome boys, 2 rowdy cats, and wife to Mike, Robyn Sandoval is out-numbered by males 5 to 1 in her home. Although she discovered her feminine side when she was in college, her tomboy childhood serves her well for playing football in the backyard with the boys and talking smack across the poker table.

She grew up in conservative Dallas, but moved to liberal Austin in 1993. When Robyn met Mike in 2000, he told her that he managed a pipe store, and she assumed that he meant a head shop. He introduced her to the world of high-end tobacco and accessories. Unlike many women that smoke cigars with their husbands or have his-and-hers perfumes and colognes, Robyn has always been an enabler from the sidelines. She encourages Mike's hobbies and especially loves how he takes pride in his collections.

Robyn is only on this website as an admin for her editorial and web design skills, but she may interject a female perspective on topics here and there. When she's not picking up toys and tweaking PHP files online, she is an Editor at a publishing firm in Austin.

Like most of us, I started looking for a better way to shave in the morning. About 5 years ago while walking down the shaving aisle at my local Walmart, I saw a brush and a round shaving soap. After reading the labels, I decided to give them a shot. The next morning I shaved using my new brush and shaving soap, but still used my Trac II. The quality of the shave improved by leaps and bounds. I continued to use the same products for a few years. Then, about 2 years ago, I was reading a thread in a fountain pen forum that was discussing the merits of "Wet Shaving." I was intrigued. I started reading, which led me to the shaving forums. I became fascinated by all the talk and products that were available...I had no idea it could be this way. Soon enough I was acquiring new brushes, DE razors, and shaving creams. My shaves just kept getting better. I actually looked forward to shaving every morning.

As time went by I became proficient with a DE, but my goal was to learn to shave with a straight razor. I went back to researching and reading as much as I could. Shortly thereafter I bought my first straight razor, hones, and strop. I was ready. That first shave was exciting; my hands were shakey, adrenaline was pumping. I cleared my head of everything I had read and just shaved. After I was done, I had a sense of accomplishment. I was hooked. Two years later, I hone repair and clean my own razors. Now even my best friend is hooked. Nothing compares to shaving with a straight razor.

In addition, Mike and I began to search for the best shaving soap. We decided we were going to learn how to make soap. We went back into research mode. Now, not only do we make an excellent shaving soap, we also make a great bath soap.

The journey has been full of surprises and experiments. I can honestly say I have had a great time during the successes and failures. But having my best friend along for the ride has made it a lot more fun.

Our goal is to share what we have learned and offer our opinions on products we have tested or use in hopes that the new wet shaver enjoys the ride as much as we have.

T&H 1805 is one of the Top 10 cologne-scented shaving creams on the market today.

Simpson has a lot of brushes.

Cambridge Soap is awesome.

Mike Sandoval has been sharing product reviews for the past 8 years. As a tobacconist, he was respected for his knowledge of cigars and pipe blends, and the special blends he produced in the tobacco lounge that he managed. He offered online reviews to describe the aromas, flavors, and strengths of products that he came across in the industry. 

In 2006, a friend in the cigar business mentioned a new line of men's shaving products that he was going to offer in his store. Like most men, Mike had considered shaving to be daily chore, but he was interested to try out the shaving products. For Valentine's day, his wife gave him a small badger hair shaving brush and a starter set of lavender scent products.

He began a journey into the world of luxury wet shaving and learning the details about these new products, and he found himself looking forward to shaving every morning. Over the years, his collection of brushes, razors, creams, and colognes has expanded to take over their small bathroom. Mike still enjoys sharing reviews of his favorite products and introducing others to shaving and hygiene products so they, too, can look forward to their morning routines.