Help me choose a new cream.

[BREAL]

Okay, so I'm not exactly a newbie anymore (having been at this for about two years now) but when I started wet shaving I went through a brief stage of AD that I couldn't fully support because I was still in law school. After recently settling down and getting my professional life in order, AD has set in again. Though I have resources I can't go too crazy or my wife will kill me. So, I need some suggestions. I'd like to try as many creams as possible but for now I would like to hear thoughts on the quintessential creams (or soaps) that you think every shaver should try once (or always have in his den).

Here's what's already in my den: AOS-lavender cream and sandalwood soap, SCS-oakmoss lavendula and avocado cream, Tabac, MWF, Trumper's-violet cream, Proraso, Pre de provence, Provence sante, Body Shop-maca root, QED's-sandalwood and sandalwood rose.

This is what I've gathered so far from reviews on the quintessential creams: Taylor's Avacodo; Trumper's Coconut and GFT, Truefitt's Grafton. Your thoughts?

 

[Easttexasman]

You are going to get alot of responses.

I suggest adding Musgo Real to the list.It is inexpensive and kind of shocked me the first time I used it.It has a nice scent and it give a really close shave.

Paul

 

[nole1]

+1 on Grafton (I have one on its way from T&H currently). I agree with picking up a tub from ToBS but I'm no very big on avocado (and you already have a SCS avocado cream). I would say something along the lines of their classic scents like Mr Taylor's, or Shave Shop.

 

[BREAL]

Good call on Musgo. It'll definitely be on my list.

I'll check out Mr. Taylor's. I picked Taylor's Avacado because it seemed to get the most positive response in the reviews. Re: Shave shop- I tend to stay away from creams or soaps that get a cumulative score under 8 for moisturizing properties since I have pretty dry skin. I know, YMMV but my experience thus far dictates 8 as a threshold for my skin type.

 

[kingfisher]

You need at least one T&H cream. Aside from scents, they're all the same except that Ultimate Comfort has a slightly different formulation. Some people think the T&H UC cream is the best cream there is.

I like their scented creams, and I prefer both 1805 and West Indian Limes to the Grafton, but I think I'm in the minority here, especially in my love of WIL over the very popular Grafton.

 

[Joe Edson]

You are going to get alot of responses.

I suggest adding Musgo Real to the list.It is inexpensive and kind of shocked me the first time I used it.It has a nice scent and it give a really close shave.

Paul

+1 on the Musgo.

Acca Kappa 1869 is my favorite (stuff in the tub and not the tube - they are different). GFT coconut is good, and I really like Queen Charlotte's soap/creams for a budget cream they are excellent.

Castle Forbes is some good stuff too

 

[cnnc97]

Mr Taylor's is my favorite, I am terrible at describing scents so I can't tell you what it smells like though.

 

[BREAL]

+1 on the Musgo.

Acca Kappa 1869 is my favorite (stuff in the tub and not the tube - they are different). GFT coconut is good, and I really like Queen Charlotte's soap/creams for a budget cream they are excellent.

Castle Forbes is some good stuff too

Is the Acca Kappa in the tub the same thing as the 1869 almond cream? It's the only one I can find so far.

 

[mandoman]

if you have the means art of shaving is the best

 

[RF1963]

I would not be without Trumpers Rose Soap or Santa Maria Novella Shave Soap.

 

[Joe Edson]

Is the Acca Kappa in the tub the same thing as the 1869 almond cream? It's the only one I can find so far.

Yes, but make sure it is the tub as it has lanolin and shea butter.

The tube doesn't as far as I know.

I bought mine on amazon.

 

[Blondie]

Sounds like you are just looking at higher end stuff. If you want to get some other brands that are not as expensive but also very good, I would suggest Godrej. One should try as many as possible, and this allows you to throw a tube in with your next order for not much $$$. I will second Queen Charlotte.

 

[BREAL]

Sounds like you are just looking at higher end stuff. If you want to get some other brands that are not as expensive but also very good, I would suggest Godrej. One should try as many as possible, and this allows you to throw a tube in with your next order for not much $$$. I will second Queen Charlotte.

All suggestions are welcome. The cheaper they are, the more I can buy!

 

[OUFINNY]

Al's shave bomb creams/soaps have my eye and are only $15 last I checked, soaps are $10. They are getting great reviews and he has a sample pack as well. I just got here but ran accross a thread on his creams/soaps and they seem to compete with those twice the price in performance and scent quality. Also, if you have not tried Proraso/C.O. Bigelow you should get some. It is a menthol treat that is not too strong and really has what I consider to be a classic shave cream scent. A must for the summer (or 9 months of the year in Houston where I am!).

 

[gearchow]

Sounds like you are just looking at higher end stuff. If you want to get some other brands that are not as expensive but also very good, I would suggest Godrej. One should try as many as possible, and this allows you to throw a tube in with your next order for not much $$$. I will second Queen Charlotte.

+1 on the Godrej. It's really great stuff.

-jim

 

[pauls51]

You can't go wrong with Godrej!! Menthol Mist FTW!

Trumpers coconut is fantastic... One of my favourites in the den at the moment...

 

[jdudley76]

Speick cream...it's super cheap and a good performer.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Acqua Di Parma.

 

[drumana]

This is what I've gathered so far from reviews on the quintessential creams: Taylor's Avacodo; Trumper's Coconut and GFT, Truefitt's Grafton. Your thoughts?

All good creams in terms of performance, so it comes down to scent preference which is totally subjective... FWIW, I don't really care for any of those scent wise. Wellllll, the GFT Coconut is OK... Consider C.R. Salter shave creams also. They don't get much press here, but they're awesome.

 

[saf]

Any Castle Forbes