Thread: Castle Forbes for a beginner?

Originally Posted by Bill S

Based on my estimated consumption, Castle Forbes cream costs me about $0.30 per day. For that I get to use one of the very best shave creams available. On a unit cost basis it is fairly pricey, but in the grand scheme of things it's a luxury I have no problem justifying.

I just re-read the op....you're going to need a brush with CF. I have tried to lather a regular cream with my fingers. It works.....sort of....a little bit.

yes, thanks. i'm ordering a black badger knot from the golden nib and going to install it into a handle of my own design. Long handles seem to make sense to me after seeing this guy (from Denmark on youtube) show off his custom brush. He's on the forum here, just don't know his username. Maybe even a couple, three for the price i can't get too far off the track, money wise i mean.

A pea sized dollup of the stuff is more than enough for a shave with plenty left over. In my book it's the best shave prep there is period.

It is pricey but if you are so inclined go for it. If you can't make good lather with C&F, it is the water your using or you are using a stick to lather with. In that regard it is a very good cream to start with because it is almost foolproof. Just use a little though.


Take Care,
Richard

I can tell you Ryan82's No 1 Shave Cream is Domenico Caraceni 1913, Mine Too...Then, Xpec, Then Castle Forbes.....

Originally Posted by michaelcassani

Love straight shaving but the only treatment i've used so far is Avalon Organics Lavender shave cream that i bought off the shelf at Whole Foods. I just squeeze a little out, rub it on my face with my fingers and start shaving. I would like to try a Castle Forbes product but no idea where to start.

++1 on the previous comments and advice about Castle Forbes. It may cost more than other "budget" shaving creams but it is well worth it.

Rather than spring for a large jar/tub, get the travel size. Its about half the price of a large jar. That's what I did over a year ago. I still have a good amount left since I don't use it every day.

Originally Posted by michaelcassani

Thanks. I guess now, i have to ask! what is your "first" favorite?

Originally Posted by zib

I can tell you Ryan82's No 1 Shave Cream is Domenico Caraceni 1913, Mine Too...Then, Xpec, Then Castle Forbes.....

LOL - yes, my good friend zib took the words "write" out of my mouth. Caraceni is indeed my #1 favorite, a pricey favorite, followed by Xpec. Although I think Xpec and Castle Forbes are pretty much neck to neck in their apparent awesomeness....

Originally Posted by jhenry

Rather than spring for a large jar/tub, get the travel size. Its about half the price of a large jar. That's what I did over a year ago. I still have a good amount left since I don't use it every day.

That is a great point from another good friend, jhenry. The travel size is a great option at a good price, especially if you just want to "dip your toes" into the CF world.... but rest assurred you will become a convert like the rest of us

There's a place in Mass, right by Harvard. It's a Pharmacy called Colonial drug...Colonial Drug - the hard to find fragrance specialiste

They used to send out free samples of Castle Forbes Shave Creams and the AS balms.
Not sure if they still do, but you can check. I don't think the website is fully operational, but you can call them or email....

Originally Posted by zib

I can tell you Ryan82's No 1 Shave Cream is Domenico Caraceni 1913, Mine Too...Then, Xpec, Then Castle Forbes.....

THANKS, I'LL REMEMBER THOSE WHEN I START GETTING SOME OVERTIME HOURS AGAIN.

Hummm...seems my assumption that it was too high brow was unfounded in a way, but hey any one who indulges is a friend of mine lol as I love to do the same and so I retract more so my earlier statement.

Where mgiht I find all of Castle Forbes' scents and products? I looked at a few sights I most frequent and see only 3 scents, lavender, sandalwood and limes.

My absolute favorite cream is Taylors of old Bond Street' Sandalwood, the scent is a good morning eye opener and it's warm and dose excellent. Their Almond is fantastic as well, love Taylors for the quality and the strong yet lovely and not overpowering scents.

I am trying out Truefitts west indies limes, and it's not bad at all, though I have yet to master lathering it properly as it is a softer cream and I think I gather too much and end up with either a dry lather or buried in lather to my nose rofl

(((oops...there are some brands in there I never heard of my bad lol, thought they were Castle scents rofl. I'll have to look those up as well.)))

Originally Posted by zib

There's a place in Mass, right by Harvard. It's a Pharmacy called Colonial drug...Colonial Drug - the hard to find fragrance specialiste

They used to send out free samples of Castle Forbes Shave Creams and the AS balms.
Not sure if they still do, but you can check. I don't think the website is fully operational, but you can call them or email....

I do believe they still offer the samples however, I may have been one of the last few that got the sample with colognes including Neroli.

As for CF products, a friend of mine that I am mentoring had the same comment of CF being rather expensive but once he lathered up... he was sold. Everyone is different with some enjoying CF and others not. Call or email Colonial Drug and see if, at least, you can get one sample of your favorite scent. If you enjoy the scent and feel just know that CF offeres travel sizes that are cheaper than the full size. If you are anything like me and have several choices of creams and soaps to use, trust me, the travel size is all you need and it will last you a long time especially if you bounce around from cream to cream.