Is Murphy and McNeil the best place to buy, and even sell, wet shaving gear?
Most shaving retailers just sell inventory. Murphy and McNeil operates as a full marketplace, letting independent artisans and fellow shavers list new and gently used soaps, razors, and brushes side by side with the store's own house-made line. Here's whether that model actually works out for the buyer.
What is Murphy and McNeil?
Murphy and McNeil is a family-owned, Texas-based traditional shaving marketplace. Rather than stocking only their own products, they built a platform where independent soap makers, razor artisans, and wet shaving enthusiasts can sell new or gently used gear directly, shipped straight from the seller. Layered on top is the brand's own house line of shaving soaps and aftershaves, plus a portion of every single sale going to charity.
What you get, what you give up
- A genuine marketplace model means you can find discontinued or hard-to-source artisan soaps that a single-inventory retailer simply wouldn't carry
- House-brand shaving soaps starting at $3.99 make it easy to sample scents before committing to a full-size artisan jar
- A portion of every sale supports charity, not just a one-time promotional donation
- Buying pre-owned gear (razors, brushes, stands) is a legitimate way to try premium equipment at a lower entry cost
- Featured collections from respected names like Barrister and Mann, Noble Otter, and Tatara Razors sit alongside the house line
- Sellers ship items direct, which can mean fresher stock and more variety than a single centralized warehouse
- Because sellers ship items directly, delivery times and packaging can vary more than with a single-warehouse retailer
- Buying used gear (razors especially) requires more buyer diligence around condition and sanitation than buying new
- As a small, family-run team, customer service response times can be slower during high-volume periods or when the team is traveling
- The sheer catalog breadth (shaving, grooming, home fragrance, laundry, pet care) can make it harder to browse than a narrowly focused shaving-only shop
Beyond shaving soap
What buying and selling here actually looks like
New from artisans
Independent soap makers and razor artisans list current-production items, giving you access to small-batch scents that larger retailers may not stock.
Pre-owned from enthusiasts
Fellow wet shavers can list gently used gear they're re-homing — a practical way to try a premium razor or brush without paying full retail.
Low fees for sellers
The platform is positioned around low seller fees, making it approachable for small artisans who might not sell profitably on larger marketplaces.
Direct-from-seller shipping
Most items ship straight from the artisan or individual seller rather than a centralized Murphy and McNeil warehouse.
When to buy — and what to know first
✔ Great fit if you
- Are hunting for a specific discontinued or small-batch artisan shaving soap
- Want to try premium razors or brushes secondhand before buying new
- Like supporting a small, family-run business that gives a portion of sales to charity
- Want one place to shop shaving gear, beard care, and grooming home goods together
✘ Consider elsewhere if you
- Want guaranteed same-warehouse shipping speed and packaging consistency on every order
- Are uncomfortable buying used razors or brushes secondhand, even when described as gently used
- Prefer a narrowly focused, single-category shaving shop over a broader marketplace catalog
Murphy and McNeil vs. typical wet shaving retailers
| Retailer type | Inventory model | Used gear | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murphy and McNeil | Marketplace + house brand | Yes, buy & sell | Rare artisan finds and secondhand deals |
| Single-inventory specialty shops | Centralized warehouse | Usually no | Consistent, predictable shipping |
| General e-commerce marketplaces | Third-party sellers, mixed categories | Varies widely | Broad selection, less curated for shaving specifically |
Quick answers
Is buying used shaving gear actually safe?
Items are listed as gently used by the seller, and razors in particular are worth inspecting on arrival. As with any secondhand purchase, it's reasonable to sanitize blades and brushes before use regardless of how they're described.
Can I sell my own gear on Murphy and McNeil?
Yes — the platform is open to both artisans selling current-production goods and individuals re-homing gently used gear, with a dedicated seller signup process and low listed fees.
Does Murphy and McNeil ship internationally?
Yes, though some products — particularly alcohol-based aftershaves and splashes — are flagged as alcohol-free-required for international orders due to shipping restrictions.
Where does the charity donation actually go?
The brand states a portion of every sale supports charitable causes, with specific causes listed on their site's dedicated charity page.
8.7/10 — A marketplace that actually understands the wet shaving hobby
Murphy and McNeil isn't trying to be a big-box grooming retailer, and that's exactly its advantage. By letting artisans and fellow shavers list gear directly, new and used, it covers ground that a single-inventory shop never could — while still offering an affordable house-brand soap line for anyone just getting started. If you're deep enough into wet shaving to be hunting for a specific discontinued scent or a secondhand razor, this is one of the more interesting places to look.
Shop Murphy and McNeil →
