Stopped by my local Art of Shaving store for the first time

[dash8guru]

I am new to SE and DE razors. I did some research and ended up buying mostly Proraso products for my soaps. which I really like. Got some Pinald aftersave which is really nice. Dig the old school scent. Some Osage rub which I found out isn't really menthol but more like shoving your face in an ice bucket after you rubbed down in menthol. Thumbs up! My favorite shave cream is White Basin Black oak. I fear they may have discontinued it.
Anyways, my local Art of Shave is only a few blocks away so needing an Alum bar, I thought I would give them the business and stroll around the store and smell the products. Rolled in and some guy was enjoying a SE shave courtesy of a Dovo Shavette. Overall the visit was pleasant even though no prices were posted. I already knew they were on the pricy side but when I found the Alum bar was $18, I punched out.
I know you get what you pay for but I have found in the past that most newer commercial mens bath products don't work that great regardless of the price tag. Seems like most of the indy boutique and old school products seem to get the highest ratings.
I have noticed over the years that bath product manufactures seem to be bumping there prices in hopes that people will assume that because its expensive its gonna be good. Maybe its just the cost of goods and not some marketing scam.
I appreciate that Art of Shaving exists, but personally I feel they need lower there price point just a bit.

[cjw208]

I feel the same. I like some of the aos products but there prices are a little steep.

[thebigspendur]

AOS has always been pricey. From day one they have always considered themselves to be top class product wise. These days with P.G owning it they are taking it to more extremes.

[dash8guru]

Are there products that good? I can easily afford there products but I am not one who will buy it just because it comes from a fancy store. I believe wet shaving draws more of an affluent crowd, so I guess that is their target market.

[syslight]

I have not found any of their products to be extremely good and best they are slightly above average in quality. Their prices as you noticed are fantastic though. Brick and mortar shaving shops are rare birds which is why AoS can get away with the prices.

jim

[OCDshaver]

$18 for an alum block! Give me a break. Here, get this one. Its the same damn thing at a much better price.

Amazon.com: Gentleman Jon 3.5 Ounce Alum Block in Plastic Case: Health & Personal Care

[BobH]

Are there products that good? I can easily afford there products but I am not one who will buy it just because it comes from a fancy store. I believe wet shaving draws more of an affluent crowd, so I guess that is their target market.

I don't know about all their products but their lavender shave cream is pretty good. I bought it at Winners at a good discount though. To me Maca Root shave cream from The Body Shop is just as good and cheaper too. I think you are right on what their target market is.

Bob

[JoeLowett]

AOS products are ok, I have their lemon and kelp cream and I like it alot. Pricey, yea, outrageous, nah. I would buy either again if I run out.

As for the store itself, for me is bitter sweet. Being an advocate of wetshaving I say proudly that AOS stores bring wetshaving to the forefront of the public eye, and undoubtably is responsible for many, many people starting out in this hobby who would haven otherwise been none the wiser. It also is a mainstream way to justify this hobby to others, as if I care.....

The draw back to me is the employees. The people who work there only really know what the corporation shoves down their throat as selling points. The employees also assume when you walk in that you know nothing about shaving, that you use a fusion or Mach and Gillette in a can. Ask them where to get your blade honed if you want a laugh.

They are all convinced their products are the best and to use anything other than AOS this or AOS that will leave you with a less the good shave. Right, let me dump my castle Forbes down the drain and chuck my SRD sandalwood for their puck..... Not gonna happen.

Maybe this is just the location by my home, which by the way is in Roosevelt field mall on Long Island. Maybe the employees else where are less pompous, but I doubt it.

OTOH if you were a noob, and AOs caught your eye and you knew no better I could see a trip to AOs to be like discovering the holy land of shaving goods. If you knew no better the employees would be knowledgable and helpful shaving advocates, you would love the store and the products and you would be a happy customer for life., And thats where this place is all good. Once you know a thing or you realize how little they know.

Any way- ocean kelp cream is good stuff. I think I'll keep it around other than that they can keep their branded TI's and dovos- thank you very much AOS, I know my blade is made if carbon steel.

[dash8guru]

i have a bunch of traveling to do this year and they have some nice little travel kits that seem pretty reasonable priced. maybe i will give it a go. The employee's at the AOS I went too were nice and helpful and were eager to answer my questions which was nice to see.

[deepweeds]

I went in for the first time last week. On the negative side, both employees had some odd ideas about buying vintage straights: like, that you're typically paying for the scales & can throw the blade away (I know that _can_ happen, but I more often see y'all buying a restorable-looking blade that could benefit from rescaling). On the other hand, the barber offers a SR shave, and his talk showed him to be an avid SR self-shaver. I'd trust him. This is at Old Orchard mall in Skokie Illinois, btw.

Bought two pucks of soap I'm struggling with (I suck at soap), and an aftershave balm that works excellently. Only cost me my eldest son and minor stock in my immortal soul.