Thread: Whatever happened to....

when its drop, I never heard the name before?

Originally Posted by Big

Original XPEC is fantastic. It's the one product where I actually have to focus on not dropping my razor....it's that slick. I actually dropped and cracked a Thater brush when I lathered the original XPEC.

I feel very lucky to have started my wet shaving journey just about when the original was discontinued...and I still have a tub. I haven't seen an original tub for sale in years.

The replacement was good (called 'original' but just not the same), and I think has been discontinued.

I'd trade just about 90% of my shave products for a tub of Domenico Caraceni cream....made by the same company but with the heavenly DC scent. I haven't been able to locate a tub in a decade.

If I were rating soaps and creams the original Xpec would be number 1 in a class by itself with Castle Forbes a close second.

During the past few weeks I've been using my original version and alternating with Castle Forbes and MDC and some of the other heavy hitters. it beats em all, IMHO of course.

Now of course that doesn't mean it has the best ingredients. It's just the final result Im talking about.

It is my understanding that Xpec was made by the same manufacture that made Domenico Caraceni. Unfortunately, both my reviews from the time got lost when the review software here reached end of life.

Either way, a defective batch of Caraceni was shipped, had to be recalled, and the company that owns the brand decided to discontinue the product entirely. And that was that.

Personally, I found Caraceni to be the better of the two. I still have half a tub of it (now almost ten years old, but still as performant as it was on day one). Nevertheless, those were outstanding products. But not necessarily better than the best you can get today.

Originally Posted by RobinK

It is my understanding that Xpec was made by the same manufacture that made Domenico Caraceni. Unfortunately, both my reviews from the time got lost when the review software here reached end of life.

Either way, a defective batch of Caraceni was shipped, had to be recalled, and the company that owns the brand decided to discontinue the product entirely. And that was that.

Personally, I found Caraceni to be the better of the two. I still have half a tub of it (now almost ten years old, but still as performant as it was on day one). Nevertheless, those were outstanding products. But not necessarily better than the best you can get today.

Robin, my friend,

I remember Domenico Caraceni was hot at the time you reference. It was the shave cream to have. Unfortunately I never got the chance to try it. Just as I was beginning to order a tub, from some vendor in Hollywood, the shave cream disappeared.

The last full tub of it I saw, though, was at my friend Lynn Abrams's house when I visited him a few years back. It was unopened and I guess he was keeping it for posterity.

Indeed, you're right: that there is no guarantee Caraceni was any better than some of the shave soaps and creams on the market today. I will have to take your word for it.

Well, Obie,

I might have successfully recruited a proxy in Scotland to get that puck of Italian mystery super soap to you yet. If that works, I'll send you a sample (a small sample) of Caraceni. Because...



Oh, and the scent is still 100%. Rose and black pepper, nothing else. One of the best scents ever made (little wonder given who made it - I'll leave the research to inquisitive readers...).



Kind regards,
Robin

Robin, my friend,

That sounds royally kind of you. Yes, I'd love the small sample of it. Rose and black pepper sounds intriguing. I remember that description of the scent way back when. And yes, the mystery soap sounds, well, exciting. Thanks.

Obie,

That's what friends are for. The Caraceni is maybe 50ml, but I'll gladly share it.

The Italian mystery super soap is intriguing. I've been shaving with it since February, and I've used next to none of it. Incredibly efficient (well, the T-400 with a high-powered synthetic knot certainly helps), but also very effective. And at 38p per puck... *harrumph*



Robin

Originally Posted by RobinK

Obie,

That's what friends are for. The Caraceni is maybe 50ml, but I'll gladly share it.

The Italian mystery super soap is intriguing. I've been shaving with it since February, and I've used next to none of it. Incredibly efficient (well, the T-400 with a high-powered synthetic knot certainly helps), but also very effective. And at 38p per puck... *harrumph*



Robin

I look forward to the shaving treasure, Robin. Thanks.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've been around these parts for quite some time. During this time I've seen them come and go. What everyone was raving about seems to fall by the wayside and something else becomes the darling brand.

Since this is the Soaps and Creams Forum, whatever happened to Xpec? At one time it was the heavyweight champ. Nothing else came close. it was numero uno. I still have mine and I used it today and I still think it's tops.

What do you all think and and what about other contenders that have seemingly lost favor around here?

I spent a fortune on soaps and creams. I guess my favorite soaps are Tabac, Martin De Candre, Cade, Czech & Speake. My Go To Is Tabac. Love the scent and it’s a great Soap.
For Creams at the moment I only have Castle Forbes Lavender, And Trumper Coconut. I’m almost out of Castle Forbes. I plan to try the lime next.