Thread: The Bomb, Dense, bayrum

Well, I'm four shaves in with Alraz's The Bomb. I'd consider this a preliminary review, but I expect my experience will remain consistent over time, as I'll explain in a moment.

Alraz is a very communicative guy, easy to work with and incredibly helpful, though I still want to know more about this formula...but that's just for selfish reasons, so I can market my own version. He's a great guy and was willing to make me a tub of 100% Pimenta Racemosa EO scented cream.

Appearance: The cream is very bright white and exceptionally dense. For those who have used Castle Forbes and Cella, it's sort of midway between the two in terms of density. Of course there's a "dense" version available, but I can't imagine it would be any different from Cella at that point. The cream is presented in a small, brown, screw-top tub with no label of any kind. Just the way I like it.

Scent: Outstanding. In addition to my "bay rum" cream, I got a sample of lavender (also EO) and a sample of lemongrass/vetiver (FO/EO). I'm very impressed with all three, and the latter sample in particular has my attention. Many scents are available. It's my impression that Al will usually make a custom-scented batch if requested.

Latherability: Superb. The first time I used the cream, I took a half-almond size dollop (I would say pea-size, but I want to emphasize that it's half the amount I use with most other creams), put it in my scuttle, and loaded my brush from there. I had some difficulty, as you would expect, since this is nearly the consistency of soft soap. Nevertheless, after some time, I got outstanding lather. Very rich, very dense, and very long-lasting. The second and third shaves I did with this cream, I loaded directly from the tub as though it were a soft soap (or CF). I then face-lathered. The lather was greatly improved, as dense as what I get from the very best soaps and creams, and came together as fast as any lather does. I face-lathered again for shave 4, and felt like I really got this cream dialed in. Just incredibly rich next to most shave preps; like gelato next to low-fat frozen yogurt.
There are comments here and there about the cream's density, the extra time needed to lather effectively, and the fact that the end results are worth the work. I'll just say that's all much ado about nothing. Those who take a long time to generate good lather are usually trying to treat this like a cream instead of a soft soap, I think. That does bring me to my one minor quibble with the Bomb: the tub is a shade too small for effective brush-loading with my brushes, which are usually Omega Pros. It is hard, especially with a large boar brush, to get the brush loaded without losing a bunch of water. On the other hand, I'm told that the Bomb prefers a drier brush to start, so perhaps this is to my advantage without my realizing it.

Cut: The cream provides ample protection, but it also allows for a close cut. I believe this may be due to beard-softening capability, as my blade seems to encounter essentially no resistance during the shave.

Skincare: The cream does leave the skin feeling moisturized, again not unlike Cella. No aftershave necessary (though I have trouble resisting a splash of Dominica or Superior 70 after using a bay rum cream).

Cost: Some may object to this cream on the basis of cost, as it is not cheap. However, as I stated previously, it is incredibly dense, and I suspect a 4 oz. tub will last a long time (my 1/2-almond snurdle on the first day generated enough lather for 4-5 passes). Nevertheless, it isn't the best value in wetshaving; I'll let Arko and Cella duke it out for that title. It is, though, well worth trying, especially if the thought of, say, bay rum or vetiver-scented CF, sans parabens, appeals to you. And anyway, you'll be supporting a true entrepreneur who is doing things the right way.

I'll be ordering more as soon as I have sold off some colognes to finance the purchase. Thanks, Al, for giving me an AD within an AD: The Bomb Acquisition Disorder, TBAD. Really, thank you for making such a fine product.

Regards,
Tim

Originally Posted by TBoner

Scent: Outstanding. In addition to my "bay rum" cream, I got a sample of lavender (also EO) and a sample of lemongrass/vetiver (FO/EO). I'm very impressed with all three, and the latter sample in particular has my attention. Many scents are available. It's my impression that Al will usually make a custom-scented batch if requested.

I am really enjoying the lemongrass/vetiver scent. I was unsure of it first (I had never heard of or smelled vetiver before) but it has really grown on me. Al had also sent me a sample of lemongrass/vetiver aftershave that is awesome! Another scent that he sent me that I also love is lemongrass/allspice. The scent just fills the room, and it kinda smells like Christmas.

Al's products really are top notch

Yes, they are. I'm going to have to amend my comment about this not being the best value in wetshaving. I have scarcely made a dent in the stuff. I could have easily believed it had never been used. I believe it may take many more shaves to go through this than through a comparable weight or volume of any other cream or soft soap I've used, in turn making it a superb value.

Also, Al was one of the best guys I've ever worked with on any forum as far as shipping, samples, etc. Buy this stuff, guys.

Regards,
Tim