Mountain: A New Fragrance from Thomas Clipper

I've mentioned Thomas Clipper's grooming products here before. Their Mark K Purist razor (unbeatable for the more experienced shaver) and Tuscan leather wash bag are firm favourites and travel with me everywhere (the former when I'm not with beard of course). 

Tuscan Leather Wash bag and Mountain fragrance from Thomas Clipper

Thomas Clipper have also been exploring the world of fragrance. Their Unite Trio fragrances are designed to be blended to your individual taste and style and offer a highly original approach to the man who likes to smell a bit different.

This week they've launched a stand-alone fragrance called Mountain. This can be used on its own or blended with the existing Unite Trio range offering a wide choice of scent characteristics to the adventurous and aromatic gentleman (and indeed woman - why not?). The video below explains how this works better than I can:

As this isn't a scratch and sniff blog I can only try to describe Mountain. It starts as a pleasant mix of floral and smoke settling into something that is reminiscent of a fine whisky enjoyed in a mountain hut by an aromatic wood fire. That sounds pretentious, I suspect, but try it and you'll see what I mean.

Mountain is French designed but British-made and available from Thomas Clipper.

See my previous blog features on Thomas Clipper here.

I was sent a sample to try. This post is otherwise unsponsored.

Thomas Clipper launch second successful Kickstarter campaign - traditional shaving products

Within a few days of launching their second Kickstarter campaign, Thomas Clipper, who deliver traditional shaving products to your door, have spectacularly exceeded their original financial target. 

Unfortunately I was out of London and couldn't make the Kickstarter launch party last week, but I followed developments with interest. Thomas Clipper launched last year after an initial Kickstarter campaign and quickly established themselves in a fascinating growing market as men appreciate the benefits and advantages of traditional shaving techniques.

Thomas Clipper supplied me with a superb single-bladed razor (the 'Mark K', left in image above) a few weeks ago. British-made, its weight and balance are perfect for a wet shave. Products like theirs have converted me to the benefits of traditional shaving and my multi-bladed razors were binned a month or two ago. Their shaving bowl (pictured above) exemplifies their approach; beautifully-made, its wood came from a felled horse chestnut tree planted in 1710 and recently blown down in a gale. With good quality oils, creams, soaps and colognes, shaving is becoming pleasurable again.

You can read about and support Thomas Clipper on their website and on also Kickstarter.

Neolithic Shave Set from Thomas Clipper

The Neolithic Shave Set from Thomas Clipper set isn't necessarily for those of us with huge chins and overhanging brows, although men with more than average neolithic DNA aren't excluded. Made up of a lathering bowl, and shaving brush turned in Leicester from 5,000 year old semi-fossilised British oak, its wood may well be from a tree that sheltered one of our distant relatives.

Thomas Clipper Neolithic shave bowl with pewter collar

If they're made to the same quality as their other products (I use their excellently wighted Mark K razor and also their buttery Tuscan leather washbag) they'll be a sellout. They're not available until 2017, but you can pre-order either the plain wooden bowl, or one with a pewter collar (the bowl and brush come with Norfolk-handmade juniper shave soap and presentation box), from Thomas Clipper.

Plain wooden Neolithic wood bowl

Thomas Clipper products

[This post is unsponsored].

Thomas Clipper: Made to Measure Shaving Sets

Thomas Clipper (whose excellent, well-balanced Mk K razor I use daily) can now make you a custom-made shaving set comprising razors fitted to your glove size, custom shave trunks, individually scented soaps and oils and one-of-a-kind bowls and brushes (see image below for examples). 

Orders will take anything from three weeks to three months or more to fulfil, depending on the nature of the customer’s requirements. Go to Thomas Clipper Bespoke for more information. Prices start at £399.

‘Off the shelf’ small batch and limited edition Thomas Clipper products are also available in Shoreditch at the Dandy Lab’s experimental storefront and in Leicester at Harriman and Co boutique. Custom razor etching is available as standard on the Mark One and Mark K razors. See Thomas Clipper for information.

Thomas Clipper Polaris: A Podcast and a Space Launch

Thomas Clipper have launched (literally) their new fragrance; Polaris. When I say 'literally' I mean the word as they have launched it 30km into space; you can see more on the video at the end of this feature.

Thomas Clipper were kind enough to interview me for one of their podcasts marking the new fragrance and you can listen here:

Polaris is an immediately attractive fragrance, warming, comforting, mossy, long lasting without being intrusive with hints of lemon, pepper and spice. (I discuss my thoughts in the podcast). This is another classic from this very British grooming brand.

Go to Thomas Clipper for more information and to buy their fragrances and grooming products.

Note: I was gifted a sample of Polaris.

Friday Favourite: Tusting Clipper leather bag made in England

I'd been looking for a useful bag for months. It had to be a comfortable shoulder bag, not too bulky, and take what I need for blogging; a camera, notebook, pens, newspaper, phone, bottle of water and biscuits for emergencies. And, of course, it had to look stylish. 

I chose the Tusting Clipper in Aztec crazyhorse, an attractive leather finish that prevents the bag looking too formal. It has a compact, yet roomy, shape and is now in use for everything from blogging to shopping.

A well-designed bag that is highly recommended. Made in a Buckinghamshire village by Tusting. For more about this family business, visit their website here and buy a bag for life (they'll maintain it for you as well).

And until Christmas visit the pop-up shop at 39 Jermyn Street London where Tusting is joined by a number of the best Made in England menswear suppliers, including Marwood, Alice Made This and Hamilton & Hare.

Tusting x Grey Fox - A Backpack Collaboration

I'm delighted to announce another collaboration with one of my favourite British brands. Tusting has been a family-run leather business since 1875 and many of their craftsmen and women come from families who've worked for Tusting for generations. I've worked with them to design a stylish and practical tweed and leather backpack which is made to order. 

Here are a few words about the collaboration:

"As a lover of everything British-made, it’s a real privilege to have worked with Tusting on this backpack. It started some time ago when I visited their factory and spotted a gorgeous heavy tweed in their archive. Made by Lovat Mill of Scotland it was designed as an extremely robust tweed whose high twist yarn construction provides natural water resistance, making it perfect for its original intended use for outdoor and country activities. 

After some discussion, and a couple of sample iterations, a final prototype backpack was made, and I have used it extensively for over two years to ensure that every detail of practicality, construction, comfort and robustness was just right. 

We used Tusting’s Crazy Horse leather which I was familiar with as I’ve been using a Tusting Clipper bag for many years and I loved the way it has gained a beautiful patina of use but shown no signs of wear. 

I selected a bright Guards’ tunic red for the lining both to provide a cheerful contrast to the tweed and also to acknowledge family links to the five Foot Guards regiments of the Household Division. 

I’m enormously proud of this product featuring the best of British manufacture. Packed with useful pockets and compartments, this is a well-tried and comfortable backpack which I’ve used for everything from business trips to country dog walks and which has stood up perfectly to several years of use."

We've worked hard to make a practical, robust, comfortable and stylishly retro backpack. After using the prototype for over two years I'm confident that the Tusting x Grey Fox backpack is all these things. For more information and to order, see Tusting's website

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Note: This is a collaboration between Tusting and Grey Fox Blog - see also on Instagram @greyfoxstyle

Christmas Gifts for Him or Her: A Grey Fox Guide

Christmas approaches with alarming speed and you're thinking about Christmas presents. Here are a few ideas for the man or woman in your life priced from under £20 to four figures:

Thomas Clipper Tuscan wash bag (below). Made from beautiful Italian leather, this bag will only improve with age. £149. 

Akhihiro Woodworks Jincup Urishi from Kinoko. Japanese handmade wooden cup from Kinoko (below). £125

SirPlus makes all manner of clothing in this country, some from the leftovers from other manufacturers. This grey marl submariner rollneck is a favourite of mine and is made in England from British wool. A snip at £85.

Pantherella personalised monogrammed socks (below). From £19.00:

Cravat Club Haruki pattern tie (below). £95:

Donhall & Bell, formerly Dapper England, make luxury footwear such as these bespoke Grey Fox slippers. Ideal as a gift, they also make sneakers. £190 - £395.

Hemingway Tailors bespoke shirt gift (below). Select a fabric and it will be sent with a voucher for a bespoke shirt fitting session (5% of revenue donated to Macmillan Cancer Support). From £250:

Bailey of Sheffield stainless steel cable bracelets and jewellery engineered in Sheffield (below). £various:

Mühle Glasshütte Terrasport IV GMT watch for travellers (below). From £1910:

Frances Nutt Hackney Empire silk scarf, made in Britain for men or women (below). From £220:

British Boxers men’s Hartington Royal Satin Stripe Pyjama Set. (For women too) £79.00 (below):

Penrose bow tie. Penrose make a good range of silk products (ties, squares, scarves) made in England's oldest silk mill, Vanners (below). See here for stockists. Bow tie £75:

Black.co.uk navy and tan driving gloves (below) £75.

Cravat Club Hidden Curiosities scarf (below) £160.

DR Harris Arlington cologne, from a range of largely British-made products at this 1790 chemist and perfumer (below). One of my favourites. From £15.

Johnstons of Elgin cashmere dressing gown. Beautifully soft. £1495 (hers) £1695 (his).

Mia Sabel bespoke watch strap. Give your watch a new lease of life with a custom-made strap. Give a Redeem Me voucher for delivery early in the New Year of a bespoke watch strap. Some made-to-measure belts and personalised card cases available before Christmas. £various.

This feature is unsponsored and is a selection of my own from some of my favourite brands.

Gifts for men - some Christmas present ideas

There are so many gift ideas articles at this time of year that I'm reluctant to add to the confusion, but here are a few gifts-for-men (grey or not) ideas that have caught my eye recently. All are items I'd love to receive myself for Christmas.

I'll be writing a post with ideas for your women friends and loved ones shortly. I'm also developing a curated list of gift suggestions which can be saved as a wishlist at Inkling - click here.

Tusting Clipper bag £399

Simon Carter redcoat Abraham Moon madder red gloves - £100

Magpie buckled classic brown camera strap £47.50

British Boxers £22

Pampeano polo belts £55

Morland sheepskin-lined slippers £79

Age of Reason fun, quirky and beautifully-made pocket squares (20% discount code until Christmas for Grey Fox readers using word PEARTREE) £55

Holdall and co London tan folio, 20% discount with code GREYFOX if ordered before Christmas
usually £210.

Gift vouchers for personal styling sessions from Sartorialab from £150

Tina Loder ties £70

Travelling Light for the Summer Holidays

Do you travel on holiday laden down with clothes for all occasions, accessories, toiletries and electronic gear, or are you a pared down traveller who packs everything in a cabin bag, even for that week away? I thought I'd put together a minimalist, lightweight outfit for up to a week or so away in a warm destination.

Here's what I think are the essentials for a few days away: lightweight blazer, cotton or cashmere jumper, cotton or linen long and short sleeve shirts, t-shirts (plain grey, pale blue or white), linen or cotton trousers, deck shoes, espadrilles or loafers (can you get away with one pair of shoes for lightness?), swim shorts, hat (linen cap or rollable panama), shorts, sunglasses, a robust and water resistant watch, wash bag and contents, tech case for phone etc. If you're expecting rain, I'd include a light coat or a brolly.

From top left clockwise: Uniqlo, New & Lingwood, Johnstons of Elgin, Henri Lloyd, Realm & Empire, Dundas London

From top left clockwise: Marks & Spencer, The Rake Online, The Rake Online, Brunello Cucinelli, Drake's, Spoke London

From top left clockwise: Billingham Bags, Tudor, tech case Stow London, Tuscan wash bag Thomas Clipper, Oliver Peoples

And some additional items in case for rain, sun and beach or pool life:

From top left clockwise: light waterproof Gloverall, Orlebar Brown, London Undercover, Christy's Hats, Kempadoo Millar, Hemingsworth

(Note: The colours are for illustration only; I'm not really suggesting you wear a pink shirt with mustard shorts, but by all means try it if you wish, it may look better than it sounds. I have put links to the suppliers rather than the products under each image.)

This post is unsponsored - the choices of products are mine alone.