Like what you’re reading? Here are some MÜHLE USA blog recommendations for you:
The Evolution of the Safety Razor
]]>Join Nick, our London store manager at MÜHLE UK, as he takes closer look at the evolution of the safety razor as well as showcasing a few early 20th century models from the MÜHLE private collection.
Featured: The Traditional Closed comb R89 Safety Razor
Like what you’re reading? Here are some MÜHLE USA blog recommendations for you:
The MÜHLE R89: An Everyday Hero
Is Swapping to a Safety Razor Cheaper?
]]>
To mark the month of Father’s Day, in the year of the Platinum Jubilee, we have brought together a small exhibition at the MÜHLE London Store exploring the joy of shaving; it is, after all, part and parcel of the ascension to the throne of adulthood.
Rites of Passage – The MÜHLE Story
A manufacturer of shaving and grooming goods since 1945 MÜHLE has been on a mission for 77 years and counting to make shaving and grooming rituals something to treasure. Founded by Otto J. Müller, then passed down to his son Hans-Jürgen and currently owner-managed by grandsons Christian and Andreas, this exhibition features images of the familial bond and dedication in growing the company for the best part of century.
From Father to Son - The First Shave
The first time we sit behind a wheel of a car, go on a date, attend an interview, and get a job. But there are the smaller transition moments too: buying a suit, learning how to style our hair, and indeed, shave. For young men this moment can be truly pivotal to self-identity, even if that first shave is only to remove a bit of peach fuzz. The ritual in and of itself has an air of breathless intimacy; lining up precious tools, the sound of a running tap, the whirl of a brush, followed by rhythmic strokes of a razor. A new face emerges in the ever-changing-reflection that stares back at us. The act of self-care is confidence building, a ritual often passed down from father to son.
From Son to Father – A Gift to Treasure
A gift that elevates everyday rituals, there’s a poignancy in gifting a beautiful shaving set to the person who perhaps first taught you to shave. Practical yet personal, MÜHLE shaving sets are displayed alongside vintage advertisements and pieces of shaving hardware, illustrating the long-standing relationship between Shaving and Father’s Day.
Like what you're watching? Check out some of our other videos, right here on the blog:
]]>
Like what you're watching? Check out some of our other videos, right here on the blog:
]]>
Like what you're watching? Check out some more videos, right here on our blog:
]]>
Connor at MÜHLE Barbershop in London, uses a Wireless Hair Trimmer
1) A double edge safety razor : "With sensitive skin I rely on using a fresh blade, and having one edge instead of the multiple ones you see in cartridge razors. Personally, I find cartridge razors much too aggressive, with the 3 or 5 blades leaving my skin more susceptible to damage and blemishing.
DE razors have one edge on each side (which is why they're called double-edge) and allow me to use a fresh blade every time I shave. This ensures no snagging or irritation occurs and I have a super-smooth shave every time."
A Traditional Double Edge Safety Razor in Chrome and Rose Gold and a Silvertip Fibre Shaving Brush
2) A Silvertip Fibre Shaving Brush: "No DE razor would be complete without a premium brush to massage the hair follicle out of the skin. Alongside the DE razor and Silvertip Shaving Brush, I recommend an Aloe Vera shaving cream and Moisturiser."
3) A Manicure Set: "Don't forget your nails! Too many guys forget to give themselves a little manicure from time to time, but this is little a detail that has a big impact on your appearance. As a barber, my hands are my tools and I make sure that my nails are in tip-top-shape. "
4) A Good Pair of Trimming Scissors: "An absolute essential for moustache and beard tidying, safety scissors will even get those pesky stray hairs in your nose and ears. Unlike nail scissors, trimming scissors have a rounded tip at the end for extra safety."
MÜHLE Scissors for Beard, Nose and Ear Hair
5) A Hair Trimmer: "Used to freshen up the beard, buzz your head or tidy up any out of control areas. As a barber I use a professional, wireless trimmer at home."
Like what you're reading? Here's some more MÜHLE USA Blog recommendations for you:
]]>
Such is the case, with our own MÜHLE Store Berlin and Barbershop. Opening in 2014 in the central area of Mitte, it is our first brand store, arriving just off 70 years from when the company was first established.
As we ventured into retail, we wanted the MÜHLE Store to be a place where shaving culture or ‘rasurkultur’ as we like to say in Germany is celebrated. The elegant MÜHLE showroom includes specially designed presentation areas displaying collection highlights as well as a sophisticated yet comfortable barbershop offering stylish shaves and haircuts.
The centrepiece of the space is an elongated washstand which serves as a physical invitation to try out products and experience grooming rituals, preferably there and then! MÜHLE Managing Directors Andreas and Christian Müller, who have been running the company founded by their grandfather for many years now, are keen to point out that what they are conveying with each store, product and space is an attitude to life; namely taking time for self-care rituals. This philosophy echoes throughout the store, the simple monochromatic white furniture, and impressive lighting draw focus to gem-like razors and brushes made of unique, sustainably sourced woods, porcelain, carbon, chrome, and high-grade resin.
Pictured: Interior MÜHLE Store & Barbershop Berlin.The pedestal like championing of the products is underscored by a warmth and cosiness that doesn’t always come hand in hand with such a refined space. This hygge* (a Danish term that expresses that feeling of happiness derived from comfort, wholesomeness and well-being) like quality comes from a few places; skilled barber Dennis has a loyal following of customers who describe his services as ‘perfect’ and evokes an aura of calm that reverberates throughout the store. The classic leather barbershop chairs and furnishings next to the oak floor add to this ‘right at home’ feeling while historic tools and utensils tell stories of the origins of artisanal processing at MÜHLE.
Pictured: Historic tools and utensils on display in-store, tell stories of the origins of artisanal processing at MÜHLE.But as with anything, it’s overwhelmingly the people that make a space inviting and interesting and much credit here goes to store manager Fred Schulz and the lovely customers who walk through the doors every day.
With Fred’s leadership, the customer base has grown significantly, sporting a well-kept silver beard, the genial store manager’s sincerity becomes immediately apparent in conversation. Fred waves off the compliment of his success as store manager saying, “I’m not into self-congratulation. The answer is most likely I love my job. I love communication . . . I was on fire with enthusiasm from day one.”
Fred enjoys explaining about the manufacturing quality of high-end products and getting into conversation with the customers he affectionately refers to as ‘repeat offenders’ who come in to try out and stock up on MÜHLE shaving soaps and creams as well as other cosmetics from the considered multi-brand section. His noteworthy beard in a shaving store is the start of many jovial conversations but Fred is quick to point out that contrary to what you might think, proper shaving is essential when it comes to a beard in order to shape the fine contours. He asserts that he is at an age now where his sculpted beard is no token of hipsterism but a statement.
Pictured: Fred creates a convivial atmosphere with customers.As you would expect, with a talented store manager, Fred relishes these interactions with customers and makes some friendly observations himself, noting the pleasure customers take from the tactile store experience and that classic and modern sets like ‘The Traditional and Hexagon series both excite customers’ and the increasing number of women taking an interest in acquiring lifetime shaving products for themselves, as they would like their bathroom to be plastic-free’.
Indeed, our self-care culture at MÜHLE, full of heritage yet always evolving and looking to the future is one of our defining characteristics, we like to share this with our customers through our ethos, product lines and interactions. Now in our 75th year of manufacturing premium shaving hardware and accessories, we are proud to also have a London flagship MÜHLE Store and Barbershop, which launched in 2018.
And so, when the time comes that more of us can once again set off to far off destinations, we will delight in greeting our customers from around the world sharing stories and taking part in self-care journeys together.
Pictured: Fred enjoys telling the stories behind the quality of high-end manufactured products.
MÜHLE Store Berlin
Rosenthaler Strasse 40/41
Hackesche Höfe- Hof 4, Berlin Mitte, 1018
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 11am – 7pm