In search of extraordinary methods of shaving, the idea of travelling to India was born. As his tasker, ESBjERG gave Hannes Seebacher the time and effort he needed. Without further plans but a whole lot of creativity and sensitivity, Hannes Seebacher started his journey into the unkown. His only travel companion was a small black journal in which he wrote down his observations and impressions. Reading through the pages the adventure can be brought back to life. Such a travel companion is for one loyal and also patient, sharing all its well-kept stories and reviving forgotten memories. Eager for his trip to start, his first entry was already written on the plane.
Arriving in New-Dehli, Hannes Seebacher got to know the city in all its shapes and sizes. The inhabitants made a relaxed and calm impression on him. After experiencing the metropolis, it was time to discover nature’s beauty. What could possibly be more exciting than to scout through the barrenness of the desert?
Hannes Seebacher held on to his idea of traveling through the desert land. Confident of his idea, he organized himself a guide to accompany him on his journey, a man named Marthar. Walking through heat and sand, the two men became close friends. Trekking through the desert’s shrubs and sand, guided by only three camels and Mathar, this part of the journey was especially memorable to Hannes Seebacher, feeling like discovering the moonscape. For the nature fascinated artist, the walk through the desert was a real sensation, serving as inspiration for many of his later works and ideas. Such as buying a camel for his friend Mathar, so he could work as a guide independently. Only having two camels left, one was kept by himself and the other one was acquired by ESBjERG. To help his friend Mathar into self-employment, he offered further help and support even when already being back in Europe.
Nature’s beauty even inspired him to devote the only tree they passed in the desert to ESBjERG. He simply cut into the tree’s bark, in order for it to hold his shaving utensils and to hang up his little travel mirror. Sitting on blanket, in the middle of the barren landscape, he used the opportunity to shave. This is the story to the wonderful picture bellow.
Another destination on his trip was Jaisalmer- the village in the heart of the desert. The houses surrounding the small town are made of yellow and brown sandstone, which look as if they are melting into the same colored ground. Inside the barber shop of the village, a perfect picture was taken. Here you can see Hannes Seebacher shaving his dear friend Mathar. Passengers stopped and enjoyed the unusual sight, adding much joy to this amusing incident.
The following picture is another example of Hannes Seebacher’s gifted talent. The thick fog is covering the hill’s tips and the stone-built temple in Ranakpur adds a strong contrast. In these mystical surroundings, Hanne Seebacher undertook a wet shave on his friend Mathar, making the procedure an extra special experience.
India is always worth a travel. You feel like diving into a completely different world, having once travelled to India, you will never experience life the same as before. As an artist and photographer, the country made a lasting impression on him, opening new perspectives and possibilities and thereby enabling him to the broaden his horizons.
His travel to India was only the beginning of the whole journey. Another destination on his list was Iceland. Hannes Seebacher was able to capture the momentum and beauty of the island in his pictures. ESBjERG’s mission is redefine and to add dimension to the art of shaving. Rather than being part of monotonous routine, shaving should bring joy and should keep us with our modern time.
Hannes Seebacher, who was born in 1969 in Kufstein, is a well-known Austrian multidisciplinary artist. He works with various materials and media, making every work of art special. A reoccurring material, which can be found in many of his works is the element water. In 2009, Hannes Seebacher was rewarded with the Neptun Water Prize for ‘WasserKREATIV’ and honored by the environment minister. In addition, in 2006 he won the water sculpture competition in Schwaz. Due to his international reputation, Hannes Seebacher is well-booked and popular in his birth country and also in foreign countries. Not only the materials for his sculptures change but also his place of residence. Since 2005, Hannes Seebacher moves around Arosa (CH), Innsbruck, Berlin, Cologne and Vienna. At the moment, he is in Jordan to find further inspiration, surely having many more great stories to tell after his stay.
The razor for beginners
We advise newcomers to choose a razor, which’s blades can be exchanged, for example a shavette. It may not be as exact as a classic razor but is a much safer option. However, the handling is the same. As soon as the use of the shavette is mastered, it is time to try yourself with the classic razor.
Caution: When buying this kind of razor, pay attention which material the grip has. Blades made of carbon steel are a better choice than stainless steel. To prevent further rust, do not forget to take care of the blades once in a while.
Sharp knifes & gentle care
The sharper the blades the better the razor will glide. Due to this, we recommend a periodic change of the blade. The sharpness of the razor depends on the care that is devoted to it. Maintained blades have a longer life span and are much smoother.
Caution: After shaving, clean the blade with some clear water and gently dry it with a towel. Never rub, by doing so the fine edge is at risk of being destroyed. If the razor will not the used very soon, we advise you to hang it up at a well-aerated spot after being thoroughly greased.
Correct stropping using leather
Stropping is a common term in the technical jargon. Patience is needed to master the art of stropping and also to learn the right movements. It is time for the proper technique! First of all, no stress. Stress only leads to the danger of accidently damaging the strop.
For the procedure, beef leather hanging strops seem to be the best option. The strap should be at least as wide as the length of the edge. The leather side can gladly be covered in some fat especially made for the strops and evenly massaged. The greasing prevents the leather from drying out and keeps it smooth. While stropping, make sure the leather is straight and free from wrinkles. The sleek leather surface should be on top. The razor blade always has to be flat on the belt. Position the edge in a 90 degrees angle on the surface to the body. Hold the razor with your write hand and the handle with your other hand. The edge is always stropped in the direction in which the back of the razor is showing after each strop. Pay attention that the razor is always held flatly. Now carefully stroke the blade over the leather until you hit the other side. Simply turn the blade and repeat.
Caution: When turning, make sure that the edge is not turned over the blade but rather 180 degrees over the back, still being in contact with the leather.
Also important: If the edge might lose its sharpness over time, seek help from a specialist.
Preparation of the brush & shaving soap
The peeling normally starts with the removal of dandruff. This results in making the blade glide better. Brush and Blade should both be placed in some warm water, causing the metal to stretch-out and sharpen-up. We recommend taking a hot shower before shaving, in order to soften the beard hair. Now gradually whisk the foam in a circular movement using the brush. Apply to the beard in the direction of the growth. The foam should soften the beard for about two minutes. In this time, the beard can soften while hydrating, making it easier to cut.
Caution: If you have dry or sensitive skin, apply a preshave creme or Skin Food- product in advance.
All in all, badgehair works best due to its high quality natural hair. It is excellent at soaking up water and thereby gives the basis for a rich foam. Should you seek for an animal-friendly option, there are also various synthetic brushes.
Here you will find an overview of all our brushes.
Size and Material of the grip are only a matter of taste, not having any influence on the consistency of the foam. Following sizes are the most common: S(19mm), M(21mm), L(23mm) and XL(25mm). The grips come in various materials, including: Wood, horn, porcelain, metal and artificial resin.
A high quality shaving soap can be recognized by its high amount of fat and glycerin. Glycerin which origins from plant oil has a good reputation for its moisture. The fat content protects the skin while shaving and should be between 30-50 %.
Caution: Shaving soap should always be alkaline and never have a neutral pH – value or ever sour.
Postprocessing
Please do not use an Eau de Cologne after shaving. Incoming sunrays can leave the skin with uneven spots or even worse, skin irritations. Should your skin feel like it is somewhat burning, you should try using an aftershave lotion. After shave lotions help disinfect the skin and also closes pores. Nowadays, our skin is exposed to a lot of damaging environmental factors, because of this, proper care must be taken into account.
Caution: For dry and sensitive skin we recommend our aftershave-gels, -milks and cremes. They help pamper and clam the skin. In case of extremely dry skin, use an additional moisturizer.
Here you will find an overview of all our aftershave products.
Ancient Arabic features no less than 33 metaphors to describe hair on the head – from “darkness” and “net” to “night,” and right up to “raven.” A groomed, full head of hair has always been seen as both aesthetic and erotic in men and women. The remaining body hair, on the other hand, has always been seen as an annoying nuisance, to be dealt with by whatever means and techniques necessary. A hairless body signalled diligent care, while those who let hair grow on their body were viewed as sloppy and soiled. Even works as early as the “Ars amatoria,” written by the Roman poet Ovid, supplied instructions on how to correctly care for the female body – shaving was a “must.”
Over the course of time, women have especially refined their rituals on how to remove unwanted body hair – on the legs, in the armpits, but also in the pubic area. In the hammams, for example, an abundance of hair removal creams and salves were used, including “Halawa” – a mixture of lemon juice, water and sugar, which similar to removing hair by means of waxing, was ripped off the skin and removed the hair with its root. This method, which was known as “sugaring” and was handed down over centuries, still causes tears to spring in the eyes of men and women today. Just imagine people wincing in the ancient bath houses from the same pain as today in modern hair removal studios. And this act of torture always had the same goal: to be beautiful and desirable. But such endeavors are not for every type of skin.
Soft and smooth
Wet shaving is still the most skin-friendly method for hair removal. It does entail having to make use of the razor more often in order to obtain that silky skin feeling, but on the other hand, correct handling with a “solid tool” and high-quality shaving care products allows you to deal with far less redness, inflammation and ingrown hair than alternative methods such as waxing or plucking.
However, there are a few things that need to be kept in mind to achieve optimal results: Hair should not be longer than about a third of an inch as it will not stand up otherwise and will be difficult to shave off. Especially sensitive areas such as the armpits or the pubic area require taught skin in order to be shaved completely and safely. Furthermore, the blade should only be guided against the growth direction of hair in areas where the skin is not sensitive. The regular final touch should be achieved by means of peeling. It removes shed flakes of skin and avoids ingrown hairs.
If you follow these hints and tips, you will be astounded at how soon the skin returns to youthful suppleness. At this point, it is best to let someone else stroke it and one thing is bound to happen: the “wow – how smooth!“ effect, and maybe even a little bit more…
Copyright Michael Brus
Entering “Esbjerg” in the heart of Vienna for the first time, you are welcomed by mild fragrances, sparkling blades, classic pots, jars and a sea of brushes. The most beautiful store in the city is all about the body – its well-being, its beauty. The shaving specialty shop on Krugerstrasse – a side street of Kärntner Strasse – offers Austria’s largest selection of fine wet shaving products and has long since become the city’s premiere address for grooming. This is where men who are concerned about proper grooming and body care come for all their shaving needs. Tastefully and invitingly arranged, the products are a true delight as they reveal their magnificent effect in the privacy of a gentleman’s own bathroom.
Marga Walcher sells nothing but the best: “I love the stylish and the beautiful and spare no effort to be the top of my class and to stay that way too.” You can tell that the lady makes no concessions where quality is concerned. A diverse set of regular customers is her reward. They all have one basic need in common: Nothing but quality can touch their skin.
The further range of scents and care products for men is made up of proven and classic labels, all of which have been personally selected by Walcher. Furthermore, one can shop at Esbjerg with a clear conscience, as fairness at all production stages is of the utmost importance. Because it actively takes responsibility in the field of employee leadership, Esbjerg was ranked third in the “DiversCity” awards of the Vienna Economic Chamber in 2012.
Our own brand of natural cosmetics now complements the Esbjerg range
Before a brand is awarded space in these elegant surroundings, Ms. Walcher puts manufacturers through a close inspection, traveling around the world if need be. “The product must be on solid footing and have the right team behind it.” Success has proven her right. Over the past 30 years, the store has become a real insider’s tip. It gets off to an international start in the morning, as businessmen from all corners of the world make their appearance along with established Viennese regulars. “Some men have been our customers for years. We have heard about their personal lives and their ups and downs.”
To shop at Esbjerg is to reward yourself and spare no expense. Understandably so: So much goodness, such bliss for a weary man’s heart, plus all the expert advice to make your skin feel its best, and none of the tedious shelf-hopping, wasting valuable time before you can find the product that suits you. Back when Esbjerg opened its doors three decades ago, male customers were more liable to opt for the next best solution, pocket their purchase and just carry on. In other words, there was no pleasure in shopping for them.
Nowadays, they appreciate competent advice, they take great care to pick the right product and then stick with it. They have come to indulge in their very own haven of well-being, because this is what a decent wet shave using quality shaving cream and a shaving brush is all about, essentially. It’s an almost meditative ritual exclusive to men.