What's the Difference?

[Joe Chandler]

I'm a long-time devotee of things what are sharp. I'm relatively new, though, to SR shaving, and its accessories. The only aftershave I've bought so far is Bay Rum, and I like it. Seems like every company who makes men's toiletries makes a version of this scent. What's the difference? I got the Lucky Tiger brand Bay Rum from Norva Barber Supply. It was like $5.50 for a 16-oz. bottle, as opposed to CS's Dominica Bay Rum which was around $14 for a 10oz. bottle. Is there a lot of difference? I really wanted a sandalwood scent, but the only bottle of balm I could find was around $38. I'm going to try and pick some sandalwood up at Crabtree & Evelyn this week. I use the CS sandalwood soap, and I really don't care if I never use another scent of soap. I love it. Anyway, I was just wondering what the difference is between the high-dollar brands and the less expensive ones, particularly with a common scent like Bay Rum.

[AFDavis11]

The technical difference is that you pay more for the more expensive ones. You'll have to ask yourself why. . .

[marciaga]

I'm a long-time devotee of things what are sharp. I'm relatively new, though, to SR shaving, and its accessories. The only aftershave I've bought so far is Bay Rum, and I like it. Seems like every company who makes men's toiletries makes a version of this scent. What's the difference? I got the Lucky Tiger brand Bay Rum from Norva Barber Supply. It was like $5.50 for a 16-oz. bottle, as opposed to CS's Dominica Bay Rum which was around $14 for a 10oz. bottle. Is there a lot of difference? I really wanted a sandalwood scent, but the only bottle of balm I could find was around $38. I'm going to try and pick some sandalwood up at Crabtree & Evelyn this week. I use the CS sandalwood soap, and I really don't care if I never use another scent of soap. I love it. Anyway, I was just wondering what the difference is between the high-dollar brands and the less expensive ones, particularly with a common scent like Bay Rum.

I have the Lucky Tiger bay rum also...in my view, it is like bay-rum "light." It's really high in alcohol and less fragrant. I recommend the Pinaud Bay Rum. It's really inexpensive and hardly stings at all. It is a much stronger scent than the Lucky Tiger and has a clove-like base, which the L.T. lacks altogether.

[JLStorm]

I am a lavender guy (although I may try bay rum eventually) and I have found that certain companies make a lavender scent that is more appealing to me than others. I have also found that certain companies make products that I enjoy using more, or that feel better on my skin. Sometimes you are paying for a name, and sometimes you are paying for the ingredients...its tough to tell unles you read the labels on everything you buy.

[wvbias]

Joe,

I will second marciaga on Pinaud Bay Rum, I like it
a lot. But scent is very subjective, what one may
like another may not. I would not reccomend
St.John's Bay Rum. The scent is gone within a
couple of minutes. Michaelsens makes a good
Bay Rum IMHO. An 8oz bottle costs $45.00
from www.shoplondons.com You can find it
with the caswell massey stuff. The scent though
is different from Pinaud. The Pinaud is more a clove
and or cinnamin the Michaelsens seems to have a
hint of orange.


Terry

[superfly]

The Dominica Bay rum is originals's original. The recipe is ~100 years old and it was the scent of choice for the old time barbers. It has plenty of alcohol, too... You can make your own Bay Rum, with some bay leaves, orange zest e.t.c. there are lot's of recipies on the web.

Nenad