Sig Solo: The Gentleman Shaver at the Top of the World

Sig Solo is an institution in the world of wet shaving. Watched around the world, his passion, integrity, and generosity shine through in every video. Born in Copenhagen and based in Nuuk, Greenland, he is an educator who works with the government of Greenland to build education programs from kindergarten through university. On camera, Sig is unedited, honest, and deeply personal, making you feel instantly as if he is an old friend. He embodies the code of the gentleman, the foundation of wet shaving culture, and is guided by his own “5 Dogmas” of no editing, no sugarcoating, no affiliates, no hidden sponsorships, and full disclosure of every product he is gifted. Behind the scenes, he’s a dedicated enthusiast with a sprawling razor collection, which in his own words, he “stopped counting around 700”. His passion for wet shaving is a touchstone and source of vicarious joy for all those who share it. As a gentleman, he gives of himself and asks nothing in return. Here is his story…

People around the world love to watch your videos. I’m sure they would love to learn a little about you. How did you get to Nuuk, Greenland? How long have you lived there? Do you live with your family?

First of all thank you for contacting me and for taking an interest in my channel and background. I was born in Copenhagen. Lived in Greater Manchester, UK from 1980-85 and in Waterloo, Belgium from 1988-91. In August of 2001 I moved to Greenland where I’ve lived in three towns/cities before moving to the capital city of Greenland, Nuuk in 2018. I met my wife in 2005. We live in an apartment we purchased in 2020.

To many viewers, especially in the States, Greenland seems like a far off and exotic place, something we can’t even imagine. What’s the community like in Nuuk? What’s daily life like? Where do you go shopping? Do most people live in houses or apartments? Does the community help each other when the weather is tough?

Daily life in Nuuk is nice. We have a variety of shops and supermarkets. The available produce and other green foods are scarce and the prices are super high as fruits and vegetables have to be flown in. When we have friends/family over for dinner the salad is by far the most expensive part of the meal. People here live in houses or apartments. Rent is crazy because the demand is high. So buying your own place if possible saves a lot of money. We have a lot of winter storms and temperature are often below -25C/-13F. Add a little wind and the cold is dangerous. We don’t have a car, so we rely on walking or sometimes taxis to get around.

On camera you come across as warm and thoughtful. What kind of work do you do in Nuuk, and how did that path unfold?

I work for the Educational Agency in the Department of Education. The Minister of Education and the Prime Minister are my direct bosses. In the daily work I focus mainly on English and other foreign languages in the educational system from Kindergarten to University. Usually my work is related to the Primary and High Schools in Greenland. But, whenever a question regarding education is asked in the Parliament or other countries I make or aid the Minister(s) with the proper answer or advice. So my work can vary quite a bit. 

Tell us the story of how you caught the wet shaving bug. Was it in Greenland? Is there a wet shaving community in Greenland? Or a place to buy wet shaving gear?

I started using a straight razor, shave stick and a simple badger brush my father gave me when I started shaving. I only had peach fuzz and only did one pass from North to South. The Military changes that and the Gillette Sensor Excel took over and became my razor for years and years. In 2020 when Covid hit I stumbled across Kevy Shaves’ YouTube channel and saw him recommend the Merkur 34C.  Then followed the Rockwell 6C/6S, then the Feather AS-D2 and the fire was lit. After a while I started collecting Gillette razors from my birthyear (R2) and then Gillette Techs. Initially I thought that the Techs were only made in three countries and cheap and easy to find. Boy, was I wrong!!   

What was the spark that made you want to make razor review videos? Was there another Youtuber that inspired you? What was the first razor you reviewed?

Watching a lot of videos about shaving kind of sparked the YouTube endeavor. Arthur Knowles (Lather Whisperer) Chris Bedwell (CB Shaves) and Kevy Parr (Kevy Shaves) all encouraged me to just get started and to just do it my way.

I started with 5 Dogmas that I still follow:

1) Nothing is edited – whatever happens, happen.

2) I say it like it is; good or bad.

3) No affiliates.

4) No hidden sponsorships or sponsored give-ways (I call it hidden loyalty payment).

5) Full disclosure, I always say and write in the description if a product was sent to me; every time I use it; not just the first time.

I gladly accept/share discount codes for my viewers to benefit from, but I insist that the full discount is given to the viewer; nothing for me. Nothing!

To this days that’s how I do it and that has ‘cost’ me the support of quite a few major makers and artisans.

Let me specify: I don’t point my finger at anyone else. What they do is their business.

From watching  your videos it seems like you have an absolutely enormous collection. How many razors do you think you have? Which type dominates your collection? Single Edge? DE? Adjustable? Open comb? Closed comb? 

That is true. I stopped counting at 700 (approx 500+ Modern and 200+ Vintage/Antique).

I’d say that:- DE’s are 60%. - AC’s 20%, - ½ DE’s 10% - Injector’s 5% and - Proprietary blade/GEM’s 5%  I have a preference for closed comb razors, but also enjoy using open comb from time to time. Wizamets, Treet Platinum and Gillette Black are my favorite DE blades and Feather Professional my favorite AC blade.

What have you discovered about razors over the years? How have your tastes evolved? Based on everything you’ve learned, what do you think are the hallmarks of a good razor? If you could design and manufacture your own razor, what features would it have?

Lighter razors and short handled razor are no longer a problem for me. I can shave with most razors.

A good razor is easy to load, has a good balance (COG) and a handle that is easy to hold on to, even with wet soapy hands. I also find that it has to be able to shave under the nose with-out going against the ATG (Fool’s Pass).

Out of your entire razor collection which one is the most precious to you and why? It can be for any reason, aesthetics, value, performance, or sentimental reasons.

That’s like choosing your favorite child ;O) but: The Merkur 34C was my first DE, so it holds a special place. The Timeless .68 Ti razor with the Crown handle was a birthday gift from my parents when I turned 50. My first Gillette Adjustable was an R2 Super Adjustable ‘Black Beauty 109’. Fun Fact: I purchased it from Tobin Throwbacks Ebay site. We soon after became friends after a chat online about the Mergress razor, where we also realized that he had sold me the Black Beauty 109. Lately, I’m very impressed with the Oliworks DE razors.

You seem to travel a lot, what tips can you give for shaving on the road?

Bring shaving gear that you know and trust. Whatever works for you is fine. I usually bring:

• a trusted cream in a tube;

• a razor that is not overly aggressive;

• my favorite blade(s);

• a brush that works with-out any special attention;

• an after shave or after shave balm;

• an alum stick;

• a good moisturizing creme;

• a bowl and shaving cloth/towel.

A note on software: what do you look for in a shave soap? When is a lather in the goldilocks zone?

• Soaps that are good enough with-out a pre-shave soap.

• Soaps that are not too tricky to get a good lather from.

• Soaps that can contain a lot moisture.

• Soaps with efficient glide and residual slickness.

• Soaps with a scent that is strong enough for me to enjoy during the shave (stronger = better).

• Soaps that are not too expensive get to Greenland (price + shipping).

• Soaps that are available and NOT seasonal (vintage and discontinued excluded).

You’ve given a lot to the wet-shaving world by making videos and sharing so much information. If you could ask viewers to give something back, to do one specific thing—whether for the community, new shavers, or your channel—what would it be, and why?

Asking my viewers to ‘this’ or ‘that’ is not really my thing, but start slow and learn what works for you. There are no stupid questions. Ask you questions in forums and e.g. Facebook groups; we’ve started and had a lot of questions that friendly wetshavers have helped us with answers to.

 Don’t do what I did and buy everything that ‘shines’. We are not obsessed – we are dedicated. 

#WAD

Sig Solo

Watch Sig Solo HERE