Art of Shaving Cream Mixed results?

[Jray19306]

I have tried the Art of Shaving cream with mixed results thus far. I initially tried a sample pack of their "perfect shave" formula which came with the unscented oil, cream, and post shave balm. That shave ended up being tremendous. When I tried it I was using my r89 with a black badger brush. I then got a travel pack of the AoS lavender with the same set up. I got two horrible shaves from this formula and then just gave it to my brother figuring it just doesn't work for me.

After I switched to Castle Forbes for a few months I went back to the AoS shop just to pick up some oil as my other oil had just run out. I figured I'd grab a tube of their sandalwood cream
along with the oil to give it one last shot. This time I used a silver tip brush along with an r41. The lather exploded more so than the Castle Forbes and I got 3+ passes worth of lather with less cream. The shave was great, smooth, and moisturizing. Scent was good too. I would give an edge for performance to Castle Forbes but overall I could use this AoS sandalwood cream everyday.

I am dispelling the fact that it can't be the brush or razor because I used the same r89 and black badger brush with both the unscented and the lavender and that's where I got the mixed results. Has anyone else had mixed results with AoS creams??

 

[Foyle]

I shaved through an entire tub of the lavender as was very underwhelmed by the performance. It smelled fantastic, but that was about it. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get a good protective lather from it. It looked fantastic, but it lacked substance.

 

[bladebuff]

I have always found AOS shave creams to be pretty much foolproof and very consistent with their only variation being their scents, I have used all of them except their Lemon. Since it can be used with and without a brush, I generally find such creams to have a wider window of application when is use, but I always get a fine lather and shave with AOS shave creams.

 

[Jray19306]

I shaved through an entire tub of the lavender as was very underwhelmed by the performance. It smelled fantastic, but that was about it. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get a good protective lather from it. It looked fantastic, but it lacked substance.

That was the issue with the Lavender, no cushion.

 

[ricardo9505]

I tried to like AOS. Over hyped and over priced for me. so many products of higher quality out there that rely on performance and are priced adequately,

 

[The Dean]

I've only used the unscented and sandalwood and they were both outstanding performers. Top notch, really. But I haven't tried the lavender. Hard to believe one of the scents would perform differently as they are the same cream, I think. I'm hoping to smell the ocean kelp, as I hear good things.

 

[Foyle]

I don't know why the scent would make a difference either, but it does with some brands. Perhaps there's more of a difference than just the scent. I know with TOBS the Rose and Avocado perform very differently from the rest of their offerings. I've also noticed that they have different ingredients.

 

[DirtDiver]

I have never had any issue with the AOS creams, in fact I quite like them. AOS Sandalwood is one of my favorites out of the 30 or so creams/soaps I have currently.

 

[FancyDan]

Personally, my tub of Lavender was terrific. The scent was perfect and it lathered like a charm. I really enjoyed it.

Sandalwood on the other hand has been different for me. I enjoy the scent, but it does not lather quite as easily as Lavender did, and I notice it isn't as slick, protective, or moisturizing as Lavender was.

The way I view AoS is that its a great mainstream way to get into wet shaving, but once you get into it, there are superior products at better prices from other brands. But before you get into wet shaving, you have no idea they even exist—Italian creams/soaps, British creams (3Ts), etc. Going forward, I doubt I will purchase any AoS cream again, though if I received one as a gift I'd still enjoy it.

 

[DirtDiver]

Going forward, I doubt I will purchase any AoS cream again, though if I received one as a gift I'd still enjoy it.

I will purchase every AOS sandalwood I ever see, on the BST. I cant bring myself to give my money to the actual retailer, but am happy to take it off someone's hands

I actually have bought 2 (nearly full) tubs off the BST so far... So I am probably good for a while.

 

[Atalk]

I will purchase every AOS sandalwood I ever see, on the BST. I cant bring myself to give my money to the actual retailer, but am happy to take it off someone's hands

I actually have bought 2 (nearly full) tubs off the BST so far... So I am probably good for a while.

Looks like I have some competition for AoS Sandalwood here in the BST...LOL J/K

i have or at least tried all of the AoS creams and non-tallow soaps. All perform exceptionally well but only the Sandalwood is worth their steep asking price. I haven't found another product with a comparable "Sandalwood" scent.

Going back to the OP, i have not a witnessed any difference performance-wise with any of the AoS creams/soaps. However, i found that the lather is much better when using just the tips (1st centimeter) of the brush. Also, dense knots work better...i cannot really explain why but that has been my experienced.

 

[DirtDiver]

Looks like I have some competition for AoS Sandalwood here in the BST...LOL J/K

i have or at least tried all of the AoS creams and non-tallow soaps. All perform exceptionally well but only the Sandalwood is worth their steep asking price. I haven't found another product with a comparable "Sandalwood" scent.

 

[doctordial]

I've used the AOS sandalwood with no problems and I really like the scent. The only problem I had was getting the scent out of my brush. When I went to use another cream it clashed with the other creams fragrance.

 

[Mirrorsaw]

I have a tub of Lavender. I like the smell. And I can get really good shaves from it. I always end up loading my brush with way more cream then I need (I can do a 4 pass shave plus whatever touch up I might need, and still have enough lather left over for a few more passes.) I just dip my brush into the tub. I also have it pretty dry, then add my water a few drops at a time. I add the water a few drops at a time, slow, but it gets it done really well for me.

One of the factors I judge a cream/soap on is how well I can shave my jaw line, and how much (or no) razor burn I get from it. AOS gave a great shave in that area (I can do the rest my face easy peasy lemon squeezy, with out issue. Just my jawline that gives me trouble.) And it did it with very little burn. So I'd say it's a winner for me. I plan on getting more when I use that tub up...