I like TOBS more than AOS; am I nuts?

[m139]

So after having gone through countless creams and soaps and everything in between, I've narrowed down my lineup to TOBS, AOS, and Speick. I love sandalwood so TOBS and AOS are my every day creams (M-F for the office). I use Speick on the weekends where I'm likely to be outside and I think the scent is awesome in a sporty outdoorsy way.

But this thread is about TOBS vs. AOS. I spent $15 on the TOBS and double on the AOS but for me, the TOBS is a better performer. Specifically, the TOBS lathers just as well if not better than the AOS. The lather is stable and provides a fantastic cushion and glide. The scent is not the same sandalwood but it's very nice in its own way. The reason I like the TOBS is that it rinses off cleanly and leaves no residue, whereas I feel the AOS sort of leaves a tacky feel afterwards.

Maybe I'm using too much or maybe it's due to my oily skin, but I'd love to hear opinions of those who have used or currently use both. I'd also love to hear opinions about which TOBS or AOS scent to try next. As for the Speick, I'm never leaving that cream.... I love love love the scent, so my weekends are 100% Speick cream, A/S splash, ASB.

 

[Cynomys]

I have used all three and intend to keep all three in my rotation. I won't offer an opinion about which is best since that is a personal thing, but I will say, without much fear of contradiction, that your lineup (TOBS, AOS, and Speick) is top notch!

 

[BrookR1]

I have several scents of both and find I slightly prefer the performance of AoS. It's just a little bit slicker and just a little bit more luxurious. But, it does not perform twice as good as TOBS as the price would suggest, maybe $2 more per tub. They both provide great lather and are super easy. I actually prefer TOBS scents (Shave Shop and Mr. Taylor's are my favorite).

Both are great and you can't go wrong with either. That said, I think once I finish my AoS tubs I won't replace them. The performance gap between the available creams (aside from a couple of stinkers) is so narrow that it's difficult to justify spending as much as AoS is asking unless you feel their scents are very special.

 

[ButtermilkJones]

My first tub of cream was TOBS (Eaton College, to be specific) and at some point I went to the local AoS store to see if they carried TOBS. I didn't think that they would, but it was the only place around that I thought would even have a chance. The girl working in there seemed a little disappointed that I wasn't interested in the AoS creams, and gave me several of the little sample packs they hand out that had pre-shave oil, cream, and post-shave balm. I tried them out, and just couldn't get the same lather or performance out of them that I could with TOBS. Maybe it was my technique, which has vastly improved since then, but I could never really justify paying $30 for cream when a $15 tub of TOBS gives me such excellent results. Plus, TOBS has a much wider range of fragrances. If I had any more of those sample packs left, I would probably find that I can get a good lather out of it now, but I'm already too hooked on my current rotation (Eaton College, Mr. Taylor, Avocado, and Grapefruit) to try.

 

[Prince]

I'll always have TOBS, AOS and Proraso products in my den. While I agree TOBS is a great shaver, so is AOS. The smell of AOS sandalwood is worth the $10 difference by itself.

 

[Shenanigans]

I have yet to try TOBS so I can't really chime in on that part. However, in address to the second or third part of your initial post about what scent to use next. I currently am in the process of finishing off a puck of AoS Lavender and I really like it. The scent is subtle and still very pleasant - although for the price I'm not sure if I will replace it afterwards considering there are so many more options for much more affordable prices.

I just ordered a 3 pack sampler from Mystic Waters and I've heard nothing but great stuff about them. I also have a private label of Bay Rum coming in that I ordered off of eBay that I'm looking forward to trying, especially since I've heard good things about Bay Rum soap scents in general.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

I have come to the same conclusion. TOBS is a heavy rotation product for me.

Currently I'm using Eton College, Jermyn St, and Sandalwood.

 

[GarrettReid]

I like CO Bigelow more than either. Nuts isn't it.

 

[Amzimbo]

No, you're not nuts to prefer TOBS. It's top tier and the fact that it's also cheaper just makes it a slam dunk.

 

[m139]

Thanks all for the feedback. Regarding scent, I've never tried the AoS lavender cream/soap but I have tried the lavender ASB and it smells fantastic. Just to be clear, my post is not about price in any way.... it's just that AoS seems to be a fan favorite here (and rightfully so) and I just wanted to get some feedback about my comparison.

So, can anyone help me in choosing a lighter / sportier scent of TOBS? The names are ambiguous (i.e. Eton College, Jermyn St, Mr. Taylor, etc) so I have no idea what they smell like. With AoS, it's easy and I can walk into the local store where I live and sample them, but with TOBS I'm ordering blind. Thanks.

 

[Macbreezy]

I have four creams and one soap in my rotation. Three of the creams are TOBS, the other is Proraso green. I have Sandalwood, Jermyn St., and just recently added Coconut. I have tried Truefitt & Hill, AOS, and Geo F. Trumpers creams. I feel like TOBS makes great lather with very good scent options for half the price of the the others. I like the other creams as well. They also do a fine job and I will have their products in my shave den one day but for now TOBS is king in my den.

So, can anyone help me in choosing a lighter / sportier scent of TOBS? The names are ambiguous (i.e. Eton College, Jermyn St, Mr. Taylor, etc) so I have no idea what they smell like. With AoS, it's easy and I can walk into the local store where I live and sample them, but with TOBS I'm ordering blind. Thanks.

As for this question, Jermyn St. is the way to go IMO. The scent is light but fresh. It smells more like a good cologne than a traditional shave cream. I know a lot of people here have it and love it, I am one of them.

 

[Delawareguy]

I like CO Bigelow more than either. Nuts isn't it.

I've used both TOBS and AOS and while I like them both I agree with Garrett. They are all great through.

 

[ButtermilkJones]

So, can anyone help me in choosing a lighter / sportier scent of TOBS?

The ambiguously named scents tend to be more along the lines of cologne. I've never tried Jerym St., so I don't know about it, but Eton College and Mr. Taylor are both what you tend of think of as classic barbershop scents, which I think are a little heavy. The Avocado is sort of a cucumber/green grass scent, and the Grapefruit is exactly what it sounds like. I've decided to go with the Grapefruit scent for the majority of my summer/outdoor needs, since it's a light and refreshing scent. Maybe you should get some samples from Garry's Sample Shop and see what you like.

 

[Bigsurprise]

I had TOBS Sandalwood and AOS Sandalwood and I always felt the AOS was a notch above the TOBS. I was never able to get the same super slick, dense lather with the TOBS.

YMMV

 

[Taborcarn]

I give the performance edge to AoS slightly, but not enough to justify the increase in cost. I really only have the AoS because it was a gift, in the future when buying for myself I would choose TOBS.

 

[attime6]

I like them both but I prefer TOBS. I think TOBS performs better, they have a wider range of scents and TOBS costs less.

 

[spacegoast]

I just received a tube of TOBS Avocado and Lemon-Lime. I like the scent of both but only used the Lime so far. It provided a great lather. I also have a tub of the alomnd which I really enjoy as well as a puck of Jermyn St. THe almond smells great and the Jermyn St. has somewhat of a floral, sweet scent. I like it and my wife loves that one. As a poster above mentioned, you may to check out Gary's Sample Shop.

 

[AirForceMX]

IMO AOS is overpriced. It is a very nice cream, but I think not any nicer than TOBS. The AOS Sandalwood is my absolute favorite Sandalwood however!

 

[whavens]

I have enough TOBS to start a store. I have the Lavander, Eton College, Shave Shop, Mr. Taylors, Lemon-Lime, Rose and Grapefruit. Most of those I have multiple tubs of. Needless to say, I love me some TOBS.

 

[JustJeff]

I do like AoS sandalwood but to you sticky/tacky comment have you onside red the AoS lemon? It is supposed to help with oily skin.