Thread: The Constants

Gentlemen,

A friend introduced me to English Leather aftershave in the early 1960s. I was young and living in Chicago. If I recall, at the time I was also using the original Clubman and Old Spice.

I especially loved the clean, soapy and leathery fragrance of English Leather. I still do. Since then, I don't think I've ever been without English Leather, except in the Vietnam's jungles. Nor have I been without Pinaud's Clubman, a clean and soapy fragrance that keeps my memories of the old time barbershops alive.

Those two have been constants in my humble shave den since my youth. No so much Old Spice, although I still use it from time to time.

In the later years, Woods of Windsor, and Spanish Leather by Truefitt & Hill, also became constants in the shave den. Woods of Windsor is another clean fragrance, very much a British gentleman's moniker. The aftershave is no longer made, but Woods of Windsor is available as eau de toilette.

Spanish Leather by Truefitt & Hill has an intoxicating fragrance dressed in fruit, bergamot, orange, patchoulli, rose and a few other notes. A little goes a long way, and the fragrance lasts in a subtle measure throughout the day. Love the stuff. (By the way, this Spanish Leather is quite different from the one by Trumper, which I also like.)

And so, these four fragrances have been constant in my shave den for years, and will do so into the next century, when I'll continue to shave seven days a week.

Gentlemen, do you have any constant fragrances in your shave den?

The one scent that never leaves my shave den is Avon "Spicy." Its very much in the same vein as Old Spice but with a little more punch to it. The scent lasts the day and unopened bottles of the vintage stuff are everywhere.

I also used MEM English Leather as a young man. Sadly, I no longer have the original. I do have the Dana version in my den, but it just does not seem to have the same scent I remember from bygone days. I do not know whether the current fragrance is different, my olfactory perception has changed with age, or my scent memory is faulty.

Very few things stand the test of time with me, I always want new and different.
Saying that though, Charles Street by Mark Birley will always be my special fragrance..

I'm always trying different aftershaves, but the only one I always restock is good old Aqua Velva Ice Blue.

Originally Posted by RayClem

I also used MEM English Leather as a young man. Sadly, I no longer have the original. I do have the Dana version in my den, but it just does not seem to have the same scent I remember from bygone days. I do not know whether the current fragrance is different, my olfactory perception has changed with age, or my scent memory is faulty.

I know what you mean, Ray. English Leather is not what it used to be. Was the formula changed, or did we change? Who knows. It's still a delight to use.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

I'm always trying different aftershaves, but the only one I always restock is good old Aqua Velva Ice Blue.

AV and any Pinaud Clubman, especially Brandy Spice, are always in the rotation.

You have peaked my curiosity about English Leather
Obie, if you could bring a little to Dave's, I'd love to give it a sniff.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by petercp4e

AV and any Pinaud Clubman, especially Brandy Spice, are always in the rotation.

You have peaked my curiosity about English Leather
Obie, if you could bring a little to Dave's, I'd love to give it a sniff.

Pete <:-}

I will do that, Pete. I think you'll like it. Such a fresh, clean and soapy fragrance. Love it. The aftershave is refreshing summer or winter. Good stuff.

Thanks Obie!

I remember it from years ago but just can't recall the scent.

Pete <:-}

You guys kill me. Now i got to go out and buy English Leather. I think I seen it a Wally World. But the one i will always have is Vanilla and/or Original Clubman.