Thread: Don't Be In Such a Hurry!

Having read positive reviews of the Art of Shaving products, I jumped at the chance to get two AOS kits (Unscented and Sandalwood) containing pre-shave oil, shaving cream, aftershave balm, and a badger brush at significantly discounted prices.

My first use of the AOS set found both the cream and balm to be outstanding, but I was a little less excited about the oil. I felt like it caused my straight razor to feel a bit sticky. So, I tried omitting the oil and used only the cream for my next shave. It was not a great experience. The cream looked beautiful but it lacked slickness and the shave turned out to be mediocre. It seemed that the cream really needed the oil to be effective. YMMV. How disappointing. I went back to my trusty Proraso/Bigelow creams.

Today, I decided to try the AOS Sandalwood products again. After showering, I carefully rinsed my face with hot water and applied the oil. The first time I used the oil, I applied it, immediately brushed on the cream, and started shaving. This time, I let it soak into my beard while I whipped the shaving cream and stroped my razor. Lo and behold, the shave was fantastic. It was equal to my Proraso/Bigelow in every way. By allowing time for the oil to soak in, the shaving cream seemed to be much more effective. My experience tells me that the AOS oil/cream/balm needs to be thought of as a package product. The AOS shaving cream seems to be specifically designed for use with the AOS pre-shave oil. IMO, the shave is better when both the AOS oil and the AOS shaving cream are utilized together. I just needed to slow down and give the oil time to soak into my beard. Afterwards, I applied the AOS balm, a fantastic product that I find to be equal to the T&H and Trumper shaving balms I have tried.

For me, the jury is still out on using shaving oils. I think I prefer using soaps or creams that don't require oil in order to be effective. That said, the AOS set does offer a fine alternative choice to my other shaving products. My final assessment is that AOS has produced a really effective, high quality product.

Happy Shaving!

That is how I use the AOS Pre-shave oil, I wash my face and immediately apply the oil as I get everything else ready for my shave, making the lather and stropping the razor. I have not seen a big difference when using as apposed to not but when I want that extra nice relaxing shave is when I use it. I love the AOS sandalwood it is my favorite scent I have found so far and with the ease of going down the street to pick it up it makes things even better.

It's no secret AOS makes quality stuff. We tend to give them a hard time mostly because their stuff is pricey and most of their sales help can't offer much.

I guess the outfit started with the owners wife making home concoctions of skin preps and it was quality stuff.

Of course now they have been bought out so we'll see if their standards continue or it becomes another schlock outfit living off name recognition and history.

Glad you're getting good results there, always nice to discover an alternative route

Have to say though, just looked at AOS's website, and do the prices not seem a little on the steep side? for everything?

It would not surprise me at all if the AOS products were made to be used in conjunction with each other - maximizes profits, doesn't it? I should say that I've never tried their line so I can not comment one way or the other.

Originally Posted by tekbow

Have to say though, just looked at AOS's website, and do the prices not seem a little on the steep side? for everything?

Also not surprising, not at all. I believe they were bought out by Gillette (or Procter & Gamble proper, not sure which). Which is really quite unfortunate; they have both the "modern" shaving market cornered, and now have the "niche" shaving demographic in their sights as well. Too bad, because how many AOS customers believe that they've given Gillette the ol' heave-ho when in fact they are still supporting them?

Originally Posted by tekbow

...Have to say though, just looked at AOS's website, and do the prices not seem a little on the steep side? for everything?

I bought my two sets NIB from the SRP Classifieds at a great price. I agree that to buy AOS retail is very pricey. If I had to pay retail, I would just stick with my Proraso Green.

My wife bought me a think of their soap for my birthday, I had been using col conks, PUKE!, and the soap alone (lavender) seems to work alright, lot better than col shit conks. I just can not get it to make lather in a bowl, but if I do it on my face, its great.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

It would not surprise me at all if the AOS products were made to be used in conjunction with each other - maximizes profits, doesn't it? I should say that I've never tried their line so I can not comment one way or the other.



Also not surprising, not at all. I believe they were bought out by Gillette (or Procter & Gamble proper, not sure which). Which is really quite unfortunate; they have both the "modern" shaving market cornered, and now have the "niche" shaving demographic in their sights as well. Too bad, because how many AOS customers believe that they've given Gillette the ol' heave-ho when in fact they are still supporting them?

Not to worry, I'm sure what happened to craft beers will happen to niche shaving products. The big boys tend to water everything down taking the whole reason for getting into the niche away and it gives more little guys an opportunity to shine.

Their stuff is overpriced and IMHO is not that great when compared to so many other fine products.

I went for a similar "Full Monty Experience" today with Real Shaving products and tomorrow I plan to do the same with Tabac. Face scrub, oil, cream, asb, face cream. It turned out OK, though I have to admit the cream lathers up wonderfully and the price is amazing. I don't care for how the oil makes the stubble sort of stick to my blade is a gummy line that I need to wipe off on my towel. That said, if it can deliver a smoother shave, I'll wipe a hundred times over.

I'd be interested in trying the AOS "Fully Monty Experience", just to see how they complement each other.