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Any love out there for the English shaving creams? With the exception of D.R. Harris the soaps are not great, the creams however are first tier.
I have creams from all the traditional barbers; Floris, Penhaligons, Geo F Trumpers, T&H and Taylors and all excell. From the sent to the performance I find them hard to beat. I don't see many posts on sotd with people using them so was wondering how many actually use them.
I really enjoy the Cyril L. Salter sandalwood. It was one of the first creams I bought way back when and it still provides a great shave. It came in a large tub at a reasonable price.
SWMBO insists it leaves a waxy residue in the sink, but the after shave face feel is great and worth listening to the complaints.
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ToBS is nice too.
Fragrance of T&H is gogeous.
St. James of London too.
Even Simpson.
Actually, just Erasmic I can't really love.
I still have the four I bought (from QED) back in 2007: Almond, French Vetiver, Italian Sandalwood, and Wild Rose (the first and last are my favorites). These, and more, are still available at affordable prices.Quote:
Originally Posted by DZEC
They're more-correctly called "croaps" (a cross between creams and soaps), 'cuz they're denser/harder than most other creams, but still softer than soaps. Long-lasting, and explode into lather with just a few drops of water.
I used to be a big fan of Trumpers and Harris but they both changed the formulations a few years back and I don't like the current fare from them. I still have some Penhaligon which I like.
In general I've moved on to the German Stuff which I prefer.
I have hard water and the Trumpers and D.R Harris perform exceptionally well. I've tried to get along with the likes of Meißner Tremonia but just can get the same level of performance as English creams.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
The Germans refer to English Soaps as lather bombs. I find the Meisner "creams" lather about as good as the English ones. Of course I have very soft water.
Why not get a gallon of RO or distilled water and use it for shaving.It would probably last a month at least.
When I first started wet shaving I used them. And if I found they performed as well as others that have replaced them, I’d still prefer to use DRHarris Marlborough for almost every shave. I love the scent. And to mix it up, Trumpers coconut or almond would fit in nicely. Bu they just don’t leave my face feeling very good compared to others. After years of buying every damn soap out there, I stopped. I stopped a long time ago and just go with what works best for me.
A long time ago I elevated face feel after shaving up to one of the top requirements to be in my top tier of soaps. Otherwise you could get a can of Gillette Foamy menthol.
I understand about face feel but as I always follow with a face oil and or face moisturiser it's not a show stopper for me.
The point is there are a zillion soaps and creams and croaps out there from factory made and mass produced to artisan and small batch makers. So how do you define a top tier product? Obie pretty much has that taken care of.
There are so many top tier products I can't see any reason to compromise at all. We pretty much all use some sort of AS or moisturizer after the shave however once you remove the lather and rinse your face you should (I think) have this face feel that says "now that was a great shave".
You can always use a little bear grease as "lather" and then apply some first aid cream as aftershave.
Har har.
Funnily enough I get a great face feel from all the English creams but the top tier soap for many, MDC, leaves my face dry. As said its not a show stopper as its performance whilst shaving is top notch.
In all honesty I use English creams 9 times out of 10 and if I didn't use any other cream/soap I'd be happy.
English creamsQuote:
Originally Posted by markbignosekelly
- Castle Forbes: 1445, Cedarwood and Sandalwood, Lime
- Cyril R. Salter: Almond, French Vetiver, Indian Sandalwood, Wild Rose
- Floris: Santal
- Simpsons: Luxury Shaving Cream (fragrance-free)
Other Creams (both of European manufacture)
- Acqua di Parma: Colonia
- Bignoli: Violetta di Parma
Castle Forbes is Scottish but I'll let you off as its close enough and great stuff :pQuote:
Originally Posted by JBHoren
I use TOBS, GFT, Cyril R Salter, DR Harris soaps, MWF, etc.
I enjoy using English shaving creams and have many. I have several from The Obsessive Soap Perfectionist that perform very well, although he's no longer making shaving products. XPEC is also outstanding, but no longer around. I have five from T&H: 1805, Trafalgar, Apsley, Grafton, and Ultimate Comfort. Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouoquet, Endymion, and Sartorial. Floris No. 89. D.R. Harris: Twenty Nine. St. James of London: Tonka & Tobacco. Last but not least: I can't get enough of the scent of Taoylor of Old Bond Street Royal Forest shave cream.
I forgot about XPEC, great stuff, found it a bit finicky with my water though. TOBS Royal Forest has been on my radar for while, definitely getting some soon.
Recently NSS is back.
Two new bases, three frags each.
As always, a great performance.