How It All Began
I was the kid who tinkered with his bicycles and skateboards and spent hours building Erector and Fischertechnik contraptions. I thrived in art classes or any setting where I could work with my hands. I loved shapes, how objects fit together, and how they functioned. Over time, I grew to appreciate commonly overlooked details—the precise bend of a piece of sheet metal, a finely crafted Goodyear welt, or the sharp cutting edges of a well-made pair of scissors. These things tend to go unnoticed by most, but for me, they’re part of who I am.
In late 2018, I stumbled upon a wet shaving video by Brian Mulreany of Executive Shaving. I wasn’t looking to replace my electric shaver of 20 plus years—it had been a necessary compromise to avoid irritation—but it never delivered the close, clean shave of a blade that I loved so much. Brian’s video piqued my interest. After some research into wet shaving, I set out to find products that satisfied my passion for precision, performance, and craftsmanship. I also began documenting my shaves on Instagram as @dovshaves, a small outlet that deepened my appreciation for the daily routine and the gear.
I came across beautifully designed stainless-steel razors and impeccably crafted brushes, but when it came to shaving bowls, I struggled to find one that reflected the same level of refinement. Most options were made of plastic, stainless steel, or stoneware, each with its own merits, but none had the timeless elegance that I envisioned. I kept coming back to porcelain, not just for its beauty and feel, which I’ve long appreciated, but because of the antique porcelain shaving mugs I’d been drawn to. Their artistry, their character, their connection to the rich, lived history of the barbershop. The attraction made sense to me. I had studied ceramics years earlier, imagining life as a potter. The path changed, but the love stayed with me. Somewhere in all of that—a gap in the market, a forgotten tradition, a quiet nudge from my past—Brousseau & Dov began to take shape. That journey delivered exactly what I’d hoped for, and more.
Brousseau & Dov makes heirloom-quality porcelain shaving bowls that honor one of the most creative times in barbering history. Designed for wet shavers, enthusiasts, and collectors alike, our shaving bowls aren’t just tools, they’re a tribute to tradition, built to be appreciated today and passed down for generations.
I hope our shaving bowls bring you as much satisfaction as they bring me.
The Meaning Behind the Name
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, barber supply companies often bore the surnames of their founders, a tradition that signified pride in craftsmanship. That idea resonated with me. When searching for a name, I turned to my own family history and found two that felt both personal and timeless: Brousseau and Dov.
Brousseau, pronounced Bro̅o̅-sō, was my great-grandmother’s last name. She lived in an era when barbershops were more than places for a shave and a haircut. They were social hubs, rich with ritual and tradition. Dov was my great-grandfather’s first name. It’s a shortened form of David, which is also my name, making the connection feel even more personal.
I considered other names, but none carried the same authenticity or sense of legacy. These names evoke a time when tools were made to last, and a shaving mug wasn’t just another purchase. It was part of a daily ritual, something to be appreciated and passed down. That’s the spirit we aim to bring to Brousseau & Dov.
Reflections of a Tradition
Brousseau & Dov is built on reflection, both in inspiration and design. Drawing from a storied barbershop tradition, we honor the craftsmanship of the past while adapting it for today.
During the “Golden Years” of barbering, fine porcelain shaving mugs were more than tools; they were personal artifacts, hand-decorated to showcase their owners’ trades, passions, and personalities. Rather than reproducing these historic mugs, Brousseau & Dov carries forward their spirit, crafting fine porcelain shaving bowls that honor tradition while embracing modern techniques.
At the heart of this vision is the mirror, our logo icon. More than a historical reference, the mirror is an essential yet often overlooked tool in wet shaving. Every well-crafted lather, every precise stroke of the razor is guided by it. By making the mirror the centerpiece of our logo, we celebrate its quiet significance—an object of both function and reflection, in every sense of the word.
With Thanks
Brousseau & Dov wouldn’t be what it is without the generous time, talent, and support of many hands. My deep thanks to Artur Tanasiichuk, whose design work has shaped our brand from the beginning, Sergiy Loskutov, who meticulously translated our vision into 3D, and Shees Zubair, whose expertise brought our website to life. To Melati Citrawireja and Madge McCulloch, whose photography and styling capture the essence of our shaving bowls, Laurent Trelaun, whose illustrations define our inaugural collection, and Dave Johanson, a skilled potter whose guidance ultimately steered a pivotal decision in our production.
I’m also grateful to my advisory committee—Alastair Cumming, Andrew McCullough, Adam Brown, Shaun Thurtell, and Don Hejna—for their insight, experience, and steady counsel. To Larry Tessler, my SCORE mentor, whose advice helped guide key moments in this journey. To my mother, Joyce Altshuler, whose generosity and belief in me helped bring Brousseau & Dov to life. To Didier Rombaut, whose generous support and creative collaboration made our video shoot possible. And to my wife, Jenna Meyers, whose artistic eye, thoughtful critiques, and endless encouragement have been behind nearly every decision I’ve made.
And to the friends who shared their time, encouragement, and wisdom along the way—your support has meant more than you know.
To all of you, thank you.
David