"Vintage" Shaving Stand

[rbscebu]

For the past few years I have had my heart set on getting a vintage type shaving stand. I searched high and low and found very few available. Those that were available cost an exorbitant amount including shipping. A few months ago, I decided to have a go at making my own.

I sourced some cedar wall-cladding timber and a farmer friend who had an old wood lather in the back of one of his sheds. The cedar was about 9mm thick so I first set about laminating it to the thicknesses that I needed. Then I had to teach myself how to use the wood lath. The first two legs were failures but then It all started coming together. Last week I got my glazier to cut the mirror and today all was finished.

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I have a large white ceramic bowl to use as a basin so tomorrow I will give it a go.

 

[silverlifter]

Lovely work, Richard!

 

[SpeedyPC]

Where’s you’re vintage chamber loo pot?

 

[Straight up]

Give us a shot of the final product,with the bowl,razor(s), brush & all the other goodies.

 

[Gargravarr]

For the past few years I have had my heart set on getting a vintage type shaving stand. I searched high and low and found very few available. Those that were available cost an exorbitant amount including shipping. A few months ago, I decided to have a go at making my own.

I sourced some cedar wall-cladding timber and a farmer friend who had an old wood lather in the back of one of his sheds. The cedar was about 9mm thick so I first set about laminating it to the thicknesses that I needed. Then I had to teach myself how to use the wood lath. The first two legs were failures but then It all started coming together. Last week I got my glazier to cut the mirror and today all was finished.

​

I have a large white ceramic bowl to use as a basin so tomorrow I will give it a go.

Nice work, well done. I like the laminated cedar, that's a nice touch.

 

[rbscebu]

I wanted to use cedar as it was light, easy to work and pleasing to the eye when lacquered. Unfortunately it is now not easy or cheap to buy. My cedar source was leftovers from a house cladding job done decades ago. It was given to me gratis.

My only expense for this stand was the mirror, glue, lacquer, sandpaper and stainless steel bolts for the mirror hinge arrangement, all up less than AU$100. The only powered tool used was the lathe. It also took about 60 hours of my labour.

 

[Gargravarr]

...It also took about 60 hours of my labour.

For any project that's a labour of love, it's best not to count the hours it takes to bring it to fruition.

As a matter of interest, what lacquer did you use?

 

[rbscebu]

.... As a matter of interest, what lacquer did you use?

I didn't use lacquer per se as that really requires spraying equipment to properly apply - well beyond my limited budget. I settled on a clear oil-based polyurethane applied by brush. Three coats were applied with a 240 grit W&D sanding between each coat.

 

[rbscebu]

I have now had three SR shaves using this stand. It is different from shaving at the bathroom handbasin and is taking some getting used to.

So far I have decided that I need to fit a towel rail or two to the stand. I will keep an eye out for some brass rod for the rail(s).

Oh how I miss not having a housemaid to clean up after me. Living in the Philippines did have its advantages.

 

[rbscebu]

Give us a shot of the final product,with the bowl,razor(s), brush & all the other goodies.

How's this?

I have now been shaving with this stand for over 40 shaves. I love it!

On the tabletop (from right to left) is;

alum stick in cork container,​

small bottle of aftershave slash,​

Pears transparent soap on soap stand,​

hand towel,​

sponge for cleaning lather off blade,​

ceramic bowl on towel,​

shaving brush,​

shaving cream, and​

straight razor on face towel.​

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In the draw are some additional towels, an assortment of shaving soaps (sealed airtight), brushes and some of my favoured straight razors.

On the lower shelf is a ceramic jug (for water) on a towel.

​

After trying out the candles, I found that the candle wax was starting to run down the candlesticks so I machined up some cupped disks and fitted them to the top of the candlesticks. I managed to find a white ceramic 3 litre jug that matched my basin. I also have my eye out for a white ceramic scuttle, not really needed for me, to complete the set.

The stand has room to recess the bowl into the "tabletop", however I am not yet sure if I want to do this. After a few more months of use, I will make a decision. I am also trying to source a solid brass screw ring to fit to the stand for hanging my strop. My strops are currently hanging on the bedroom door knob.

The stand is located in my bedroom. This frees up the bathroom for when one of my girlfriends is visiting and, with the bedroom being air conditioned (not the bathroom), shaving is even more of a pleasure on those hot mornings.

I might try shaving in just candlelight this evening to see how it goes.

 

[rbscebu]

This evening, with a 36 hour growth, I shaved with just my two candles for light. Without the candles my bedroom was black as.

It was an interesting experience. The results was just as I would get with normal full lighting. It did take more concentration, however no bloodletting was observed, even when I turned the lights back on.

Overall, it is not something a SR shaver should do unless he is well versed in the art and knows his face well.

One day I will try and make a video of my candlelit SR shaving experience.