Thread: Art of shaving stores - Any good?

There's a new store at the mall near me here called the Art of Shaving. They sell mostly expensive razors with disposable heads, and a few safety razors, and even the occasional straight razor. They have tons of brushes though. I wonder if anyone has any experience with them, and can compare their brushes to the ones from other well known manufacturers. My current boar's hair brush isn't cutting it. I just don't know if the Art of Shaving brushes stand up to the same quality and performance as similarly priced brushes.

Originally Posted by bcarrigg90

There's a new store at the mall near me here called the Art of Shaving. They sell mostly expensive razors with disposable heads, and a few safety razors, and even the occasional straight razor. They have tons of brushes though. I wonder if anyone has any experience with them, and can compare their brushes to the ones from other well known manufacturers. My current boar's hair brush isn't cutting it. I just don't know if the Art of Shaving brushes stand up to the same quality and performance as similarly priced brushes.

I bought my first shaving brush from the AoS store in San Diego in 2007/2008 for about $60, the one they now call their "pure badger". I found it rather coarse, a bit prickly on the skin, and upgraded to some Dovo brushes soon thereafter. Still took the AoS brush with me on trips for a while, but it kept losing hair, and I tossed it after about a year.
The more expensive AoS brushes may be better, but based on my experience with their low-end brush and their shaving oils and creams, I definitely consider AoS products second tier quality at first tier prices. IMO, Dovo, Thiers Issard, T&H, Taylor's, and other name brand manufacturers offer a far better price/performance ratio on their shaving products.

There now too bad a little pricey. But on somethings there average. I love there sandal wood products. If nothing else, i just like to go in and look around if im walking by the store.

I have been using their pre shave oil shave cream and aftershave balm Unscented products for a couple of months and am very happy with results. I recieved their fine brush for Christmas and its better than their pure I had in sample kit, I am very happy with it

Gentlemen:
The Art of Shaving products are good. I use the sandalwood soap and the lavender cream, among other brands of soaps and creams. I don't like the pure badger brush. Then again I have yet to come across a pure badger brush by any manufacturer that I liked.

My first wet shaving gear was purchased at AOS. I went all out and got the Silvertip brush. Luckily I got the oil, cream and balm for next to nothing. You get a deal when you purchase the Silvertip brush. Well, at least at that time. I really liked all of their products. The Silvertip was really nice to use. Though it did become a little scratchy. Like other folks have said a little over priced but I think Geo F Trumper is overpriced too.

Generally speaking I like all things AOS... but their brushes. Now, it's not like I have given every one they sell a shot, but I did buy one of their more expensive ones and for the same price, I would rather anything Simpson. YMMV.

If you get one of their straights, make sure to go to our classified section and find someone who'll hone it up right for you before you give it a go no matter what anyone at the store says.

Great store - great stuff! Their sandalwood has me coming back time and time again.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen:
The Art of Shaving products are good. I use the sandalwood soap and the lavender cream, among other brands of soaps and creams. I don't like the pure badger brush. Then again I have yet to come across a pure badger brush by any manufacturer that I liked.

What do you use Obie?

Originally Posted by earcutter

What do you use Obie?

I had the AOS silvertip brush in my modest collection, although I no longer do. Of the AOS products, as I noted earlier, I use the lavender shave cream and the sandalwood shave soap.

To answer your question of what I use, here is a current list from the top of my head:
Soaps: Martin de Candre, Czeche & Speake, Joris, Klar, La Toja Manantiales, Provence Sante, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Tabac, Savon du Midi, Institute Karite, D.R. Harris (variety), Scottish Fine Soaps, The Art of Shaving sandalwood and Fitjar.

Creams: Xpec, Santa Maria Novella, Castle Forbes, Acqua di Parma, Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet, Trumper's Spanish Leather, Maca Root, The Art of Shaving lavender, and Arko unscented for an occasional spiking of soaps.

The brushes are all silvertips — Thater, Rooney and Shavemac — except for one Semogue boar.

I can't comment on the brushes but I do love the shaving soaps. When I feel like spending a little more I consider their sandalwood.