Thread: How Are the English Creams These Days?

I've always been more of a soap person than a cream one, but I've been enjoying shaves with Acqua di Parma, Xpec and Domenico Caraceni lately and thought I might try some of the English creams again. I came into the hobby right on the cusp of the reformulation crisis, the first creams I bought were a mixed lot, a Harris and a T&H cream were of the old quality, but three pots of Taylor's I bought were of the nasty, gloopy (for want of a better word), cold-cream consistency formulations that had many of the veterans on SMF suffering cold-sweats and palpitations, and I didn't care for them either. However, I see there's a thread over there entitled "Stepping Back from the Crack of Doom" which seems to indicate that the English creams are returning to their old quality, and I just wanted to ask what everyone's experiences were concerning the quality and the consisteny of recently purchased English creams.

Regards,
Alex

I've been a GFT user for a very long time and they are still part of my rotation. Soap and cream. I personally find the GFT creams somewhat better then the soaps. My favorite is still the GFT almond, coconut and rose cream. I also have the sandalwood which I like but for some reason doesn't give me as much protection/cushioning. Still very nice scent wise.

I can't really advise on the other English creams. I have a tube of Dr Harris almond and it's good but I don't find it any better then GFT almond.

Apart from a sample that had been sitting in the shop for too long, I have yet to see an English cream that is sub par (even that Salter stuff is usable).

I was wondering, how would you describe the consistency of the creams you are currently using? I gather you are are talking about the consistency of the cream itself and not the lather, please correct me if I am wrong. If this is the case, the real question is what does in matter what the consistency of the cream is if the lather, which is what you use, is good?

Al raz.

Originally Posted by A_S

I've always been more of a soap person than a cream one, but I've been enjoying shaves with Acqua di Parma, Xpec and Domenico Caraceni lately and thought I might try some of the English creams again. I came into the hobby right on the cusp of the reformulation crisis, the first creams I bought were a mixed lot, a Harris and a T&H cream were of the old quality, but three pots of Taylor's I bought were of the nasty, gloopy (for want of a better word), cold-cream consistency formulations that had many of the veterans on SMF suffering cold-sweats and palpitations, and I didn't care for them either. However, I see there's a thread over there entitled "Stepping Back from the Crack of Doom" which seems to indicate that the English creams are returning to their old quality, and I just wanted to ask what everyone's experiences were concerning the quality and the consisteny of recently purchased English creams.

Regards,
Alex

I've always used trumper and Harris soaps and think they are the cat's meow. I'm not a cream person with the exception of Castle Forbes which I think is the best shave prep in the universe.

they are very good. I used to love the english almond creams till I developed a sensitivity to them.

But TOBS rose and almond are terrific.
GFT Limes is awesome. Love the GFT almond too. Rose and violet from GFT are a litte perfumey for me, but they work very well.
T&H also great.

TOBS is great blend of scent, performance and cost.

I own TOBS Lavender and Eton College, and GFT Lime and Rose, and have had absolutely no problems with either of those brands. In fact, I've found it harder to use Tabac soap and get a good shave than either of these creams.

Personally I love them! I have both the GFT Sandalwood soap and cream and I'm rapidly becoming a cream convert. I get such a great lather out of it! I also have a bit of a thing for sandalwood coz I love the smell of it.

I want to get some Castle Forbes Sandalwood cream next coz I've heard really good things about it.

Give them a try, you wont be disappointed!

Originally Posted by Alraz

I was wondering, how would you describe the consistency of the creams you are currently using? I gather you are are talking about the consistency of the cream itself and not the lather, please correct me if I am wrong. If this is the case, the real question is what does in matter what the consistency of the cream is if the lather, which is what you use, is good?

Al raz.

You're right, I am talking about the density of the creams themselves not the lather. I found that the creams with the glisteny, cold-cream consistency didn't lather as quickly or as easily as those with a more solid consistency and tended to require more cream to produce lather which, ultimately wasn't quite as protective.

Kindest regards,
Alex

Gentlemen,

I have always said the English know how to do it right when it comes to shaving.

Geo F Trumer, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Truefitt & Hill, Penhaligon, Castle Forbes, Dr. Harris — and the great names wind around and around. I don't recall ever being disappointed in English shave soaps and creams.

It must be in the water.

Regards,

Obie