AoS "Trial" Brush review

[Nomad1600]

Ok, maybe that isn't enough of a review. And yes, it came in one of those "Gee, dad is into shaving and we're here at Ulta, lets get him a shaving kit" packages that probably sell a lot at places like Macys, Sephora, Nordstroms, etc. But if I was Art of Shaving I would be embarrassed. Maybe even ashamed.

I rarely am that critical of a product, since most times you get what you pay for, and anyone buying a $30 packages that has four things in it will guess that each individual thing must either be very small, or not very good. And I believe if you push Art of Shaving enough they will tell you it isn't intended to be a "real" shaving brush, its intended to be a "trial" that will only last the time the other small samples in the package will last.

That said... they sell these to wives and family members to give to wet shavers. They have their company name emblazoned across the front. And even at $7.50 (1/4 of the $30) you can buy a much better brush at CVS or Walmart. And there will be no way I will buy an AoS branded product based on my experience with this brush. It sheds worst than my late dog, it flops around like an overcooked noodle, and if it lasts a month or two I will be shocked. I was willing to give it a chance as a travel brush, thinking I wouldn't worry about it getting lost or left behind. But after two uses... it may not even make it to my first trip next week.

So... I rate it a "Plan Nine from Outer Space", "Glen or Glenda", or "Robot Monster". Stay away. Oh yea...

 

[Big Jim]

So re-knot it. The handle, although small, on the one a friend showed me was reasonably nice. Shop for a small knot of higher quality and make it into a decent travel brush. If you intend to throw it away, throw it my way. I wouldn't mind having a third brush for my travel rotation.

 

[CubReporter]

Big Jim, I know the brush he's talking about and you can't re-knot it. It's itsy bitsy, like fits between your thumb and forefinger. I agree with Nomad, it shouldn't even be labeled as a shaving brush.

Here's a link to a photo of the brush.

http://therelevancyindex.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/art-of-shaving.jpg

 

[Big Jim]

Of course it can be re-knotted. The biggest challenge would be finding a small enough knot. People have re-knotted old Wee Scot handles and this shouldn't be much more of a challenge.

 

[intotheforge]

Agree 100% with the review. It's a terrible brush.

 

[CubReporter]

Well, the brush they used to include wasn't bad, and if you wanted to re-knot it, that was a real possibility. But since Proctor and Gamble acquired AOS, they trial brush was made smaller and I don't think the hole for the knot is even round, it's oval-shaped. Plus, it's 1/3 the size of the original travel brush.

I bought one for my stepdad because I liked the kit I got for Christmas two years prior. When it came in the mail, I was frustrated with how small the brush was and returned it.

 

[CubReporter]

Actually, I made a thread about that a year or so ago. Here's the comparison image I posted.

 

[Whiskey Badger]

I am assuming by the $30 price tag you are talking about the "starter kit" brush which they actually MSRP as a $25 kit?

http://www.theartofshaving.com/kits...s/kits-and-gifts-shaving-kits,default,sc.html

Please be mindful of nomenclature: Their kits come in "starter", "carry on" and "travel". Each of them actually comes with a different brush, and based on the prices of their software is essentially a freebie in each. They clearly state that the starter kit is a trial brush on the website, for use with their sample products intended to last for about a weeks worth of shaves:
"The Starter Kit offers 1 week's worth of essentials for a close and comfortable shave. Complete with Pre-Shave Oil (.5 fl. oz), Shaving Cream (1 oz), After-Shave Balm (.5 fl. oz), Trial Size Badger Shaving Brush."

I don't know any trial size of anything that is intended to last permanantly. Also consider that AOS hardware is all rebranded products, so their brushes (even the trial) are made by a different company.

All in all, sorry you had such a bad experience with the brush I truly hope it doesnt trully turn you away from the brand completely as you stated. They do have some quality software to offer, but you can also find other quality products elsewhere so I hope your next purchase is more satisfying for you.

 

[The Dean]

According to AOS, the trial size (starter) brush is supposed to last as long as the products in the kit--just a few shaves. It is designed to give someone a glimpse of the experience of traditional shaving, I think. Before I purchased a trial box (just to check it out and have a travel size oil really--and it was on sale) I saw many horrible reviews for the brush.

I was expecting nothing but was pleasantly surprised by this tiny brush. I made a few lathers with it and actually used it to shave once. Didn't smell, hasn't shed more than a couple hairs on the initial washing. In a pinch, I could use this for travel if I didn't have better alternatives. About the same time I bought a Tweezerman expecting to use it for travel. IMO, this little AOS starter brush is far better for me than the Tweezerman brush. The AOS starter brush is soft and gentle. The Tweezerman is as scratchy as can be, at least on my face.

I wouldn't buy the starter pack expecting the brush to ever be more than something you'd use a few times. But if you get one as good as mine, you might actually get "more than what you paid for".

 

[Nomad1600]

Well, I threw out the packaging, but going to the AoS link you provided (and yes, I stand corrected, it was a $25 kit, and so the brush value is 25/4= $6.25... and you can still get a better brush for less than $6.25). But that behind us, so lets look at front of the package:

One Shaving Brush. Not one trial brush. Not one limited life brush. Not one, it will shed and then it will die brush. It says, one shaving brush.

OK, to be fair, I can't see the back of the packaging, which may have warning labels all over the place telling the consumer the brush has a one week life expectancy. I tend to doubt it, but lets then look at the web site description:

Product Description: The 4 Elements of The Perfect Shave® combine The Art of Shaving's high quality products, handcrafted accessories and expert shaving technique to provide optimal shaving results while helping against ingrown hairs, razor burn, and nicks & cuts. The Starter Kit offers 1 week's worth of essentials for a close and comfortable shave. Complete with Pre-Shave Oil (.5 fl. oz), Shaving Cream (1 oz), After-Shave Balm (.5 fl. oz), Trial Size Badger Shaving Brush.

OK, it says "trial size brush". I guess the word trial might imply its a short-life product. Or, it could suggest it is small in size, like the trial size pre-shave oil, the shaving creme, and after shave. How many people reading that description would think the brush would only last the one week that the oil, creme, and balm quantity would last?

And, think of the typical customer... a wife who isn't knowledgeable about shaving? A child, getting something for their dad for Father's Day?

OK, I am having a bit of fun at Art of Shaving's expense. And who knows, I may one day have a urgent need for a wet-shave related product and they may be the only and best source. But... I can easily buy any of the products they sell at a number of places, and I can buy other brands at many more places. And... based on this experience... better products at better prices. So... as a smart consumer, what would you think I will do?

 

[The Dean]

Well, I threw out the packaging, but going to the AoS link you provided (and yes, I stand corrected, it was a $25 kit, and so the brush value is 25/4= $6.25... and you can still get a better brush for less than $6.25). But that behind us, so lets look at front of the package:

One Shaving Brush. Not one trial brush. Not one limited life brush. Not one, it will shed and then it will die brush. It says, one shaving brush.

OK, to be fair, I can't see the back of the packaging, which may have warning labels all over the place telling the consumer the brush has a one week life expectancy. I tend to doubt it, but lets then look at the web site description:

Product Description: The 4 Elements of The Perfect Shave® combine The Art of Shaving's high quality products, handcrafted accessories and expert shaving technique to provide optimal shaving results while helping against ingrown hairs, razor burn, and nicks & cuts. The Starter Kit offers 1 week's worth of essentials for a close and comfortable shave. Complete with Pre-Shave Oil (.5 fl. oz), Shaving Cream (1 oz), After-Shave Balm (.5 fl. oz), Trial Size Badger Shaving Brush.

OK, it says "trial size brush". I guess the word trial might imply its a short-life product. Or, it could suggest it is small in size, like the trial size pre-shave oil, the shaving creme, and after shave. How many people reading that description would think the brush would only last the one week that the oil, creme, and balm quantity would last?

And, think of the typical customer... a wife who isn't knowledgeable about shaving? A child, getting something for their dad for Father's Day?

OK, I am having a bit of fun at Art of Shaving's expense. And who knows, I may one day have a urgent need for a wet-shave related product and they may be the only and best source. But... I can easily buy any of the products they sell at a number of places, and I can buy other brands at many more places. And... based on this experience... better products at better prices. So... as a smart consumer, what would you think I will do?

What exactly is your point? Typically trial sizes/sample sizes are more expensive relative to a full size container. I think you make the mistake of dividing the cost of the kit and dividing it equally by the number of items to get some sort of relative value. Why do you think these items are valued equally by AOS or by the customer? Using your same logic, the tiny bit of AOS cream is $6.25. Do you think that represents value? Can't you get more of a decent cream for that price? It works out to be far more expensive than a regular size container of AOS. Honestly, in this kit, I think the brush is a throw-in. There to give someone an idea of what it is like to use their cream with a brush--likely something the user of this kit has never done. Truthfully, I think this brush would last me almost as long as my VDH boar lasted me (I tossed it as soon as I bought something better) and might provide a better experience.

I see the starter kit as a way for someone to try several products in a particular AOS line without shelling out $100 for one of each and/or as a gift for someone who has expressed interest in finer shaving products. The value for products like this isn't in the unit price. For example, Al's Shaving Cream offers a sample pack of seven 1/4 oz tubs of shaving cream for $20 regular price. That's 1 3/4 oz for the same price as a 4oz tub. Should we be bashing Al for providing a way to sample his products because paying almost $3 for 1/4 oz of cream is crazy? Of course not.

If your point is, AOS products are expensive/overpriced, well fine. But that is hardly news. So are many of other items that are praised and lauded by members here (including me, to be sure). While I think there are better values out there, I still like to have a tub of AOS cream in the house, as it is among my favorite products and I really hate to be without their preshave oil.

 

[Nomad1600]

I am sorry, I didn't mean to ruffle feathers.

I am not advising others to not buy things at Art of Shaving. And I understand their soft products are popular and high quality. Unfortunately, this brush isn't.

btw, I also have a VDH boar brush... the AoS brush isn't anywhere as good as the VDH brush. Nor is it anywhere near as good as the Frank Shaving badger brush that I alternate with the VDH brush. Guess that's another YMMV...

 

[The Dean]

I am sorry, I didn't mean to ruffle feathers.

I am not advising others to not buy things at Art of Shaving. And I understand their soft products are popular and high quality. Unfortunately, this brush isn't.

It's nothing I would by on its own, that's for sure. And they don't sell it that way. (I'm not sure I'd buy a brush at AOS anyway.) But as a throw-in with a starter kit, I think it's fine.

 

[Go West Young Man]

This why you always read the B+B reviews BEFORE you buy something

 

[Nomad1600]

This why you always read B+B reviews BEFORE you buy something

I didn't buy it... my daughters bought it for me as a Father's Day gift.

 

[CubReporter]

I think the rest of the kit is fine. The pre-shave oil, the cream, the AS balm, no complaints about those products at all. But the brush that used to come with the kit was much more usable than what's packaged in now. I have no qualms with the rest of the AOS line, but that brush is an absolute joke. Even if they upped the price of the kit by $10, added the more robust brush shown above and kept everything else the same size, I'd keep that kit in my rotation of gifts for uncles, in-laws, etc. But with the brush they include now? No way.

 

[Big Jim]

I think the rest of the kit is fine. The pre-shave oil, the cream, the AS balm, no complaints about those products at all. But the brush that used to come with the kit was much more usable than what's packaged in now. I have no qualms with the rest of the AOS line, but that brush is an absolute joke. Even if they upped the price of the kit by $10, added the more robust brush shown above and kept everything else the same size, I'd keep that kit in my rotation of gifts for uncles, in-laws, etc. But with the brush they include now? No way.

It is amazing how companies shoot themselves in the foot trying to cut costs. I'm sure this substitution is costing them more than they saved.