I think it's a fairly simple formula that's worked for about hundred years. The rose water is pretty nice for the skin, it's a bit antiseptic. The scent isn't overpowering and at least on me doesn't stay too long, which I consider a good thing. Not my ideal rose, but not bad.
I never thought the cost is terrible, but I don't care much if it costs me 1c/shave versus 0.1c/shave, it's negligible on the scale of all other spending with the standard of living in US.
Trumper's used to offer a sampling of their products for $5 to cover the shipping, that's the best way to go.