Viennese Products

I just got back from Vienna / Hungary.

Whilst in Vienna i did a tour of Shaving/Soap shops. I bought three creams from Esbjerg in Vienna , Two Norbeck and a Esbjerg. So far i have only tried one of the the Norbeck with Rampion & Starweed , it smells great and provides great slickness. Not easy to get rite , i need more practice but it is quality stuff.
I also picked up a Muhle brush. Unfortunately they packed me a finest badger knot instead of the silver tip. The finest badger smells bad and sheds like you wouldn't believe. Hopefully they will send me the rite knot.

Esbjerg gave me quite a few samples, balm gels etc which was kind of them.

Also i went to a soap shop in Vienna Alles Selfie and picked up a soap.

In Hungary i went to a market and found two straights for 300 forint (1 Euro) . I wouldn't have them if you gave them to me but still , i seeked and i found :)

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Hallstat (Austria)
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Budapest
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Esbjerg is a well stocked shop that makes it hard to leave empty-handed.

It was Esbjerg BTW who introduced me to Ralf Aust straight razors and I am glad they did.

Incidentally, “Esbjerg” is not the name of any real person associated with the business. They picked the name (of a town in Denmark) when they were looking for an interesting name for their business that people would find easy to remember.

Very unusual for a Mühle brush to shed; I always found them to be very robust brushes that gave no reason to complain - except maybe some lack of character, as I lean nowadays more towards brushes that have a little bit more backbone.
Of course, badger is not ideal for overnight trips when there is insufficient time for the brush to dry out completely. For trips where I have to leave the hotel before the brush is dry, I usually take along a synthetic.


Another Viennese address worth going to is Haslinger, even though it is a bit farther out in one of the less posh Viennese Bezirke (districts) and is not that easy to find.
Nothing but soaps and a few creams, but they make an excellent product.

Went there in 2017 between Christmas and New Year.
As expected in Europe, it was a quiet period with most people off work, but they were open and I had an interesting conversation with the proprietor who told me about their efforts to create tallow-free shaving soaps.
Very educational.


B.

Really like Esbjerg products, but am a devoted fan of their Esbjerg Aftershave Oil, Aftershave Gel, and Aftershave Milk, I usually order two of each once a year.

The Aftershave Oil in winter is perfect, when it's super dry outside the oil is perfect for my face, no more dry flaky skin, soothes after a shave, and is the best aftershave oil I've ever tried.

The Gel is perfect for summer, light, again prevents any dry skin flaking, goes on light and easy. The milk is just more like a mix between a cream and the gel, much lighter, and nice for a change, and again just seems fantastic for my face.

Love their products, and always get a nice note when I re-order.

Highly recommend, great post.

I have used 2 varieties of Haslinger tallow shave soaps and was well pleased with them. I was disappointed to see they have abandoned their tallow based shave soaps. I am leery to try their new veggie based shave soaps.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobH

I have used 2 varieties of Haslinger tallow shave soaps and was well pleased with them. I was disappointed to see they have abandoned their tallow based shave soaps. I am leery to try their new veggie based shave soaps.

Bob

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No need to be leery, Bob.

The proprietor told me in December 2017 that they had been working on tallow-free soaps for a long time, but did not want to make any compromises.

When they thought they had succeeded, they sent out samples of their tallow-based and tallow-free shaving soaps and challenged their distributors to tell which one was which.

Apparently nobody could, and neither can I.
The soaps are as good as ever.


B.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beluga

No need to be leery, Bob.

The proprietor told me in December 2017 that they had been working on tallow-free soaps for a long time, but did not want to make any compromises.

When they thought they had succeeded, they sent out samples of their tallow-based and tallow-free shaving soaps and challenged their distributors to tell which one was which.

Apparently nobody could, and neither can I.
The soaps are as good as ever.


B.

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Thanks B. I had heard at the time that was so from Haslinger but as you have actually used them and found it so I may have to give the new version a try.

Bob

I've been looking for some decent soaps / creams for some time. I nearly pulled the trigger on some USA Artisan creams but by the time you add postage and import tax the price becomes ludicrous.

Esbjerg have me now and i'm am itching for my next shave, i have a bunch of Sheffield wedges lined up for the task.

The brush knot was posted back to them yesterday for a replacement. I had my heart set on another Thater but my fiance offered to buy my one whilst in Esbjerg and who am i to deny her the pleasure ;)
The handle is very heavy and i fear one slip could break the bathroom sink or smash a window...

this is the set I bought a couple of years ago in Wien - never used the razor but the silver tip is not too bad... I wonder if it is not made by Muhle ?Attachment 311137