Question about shaving creams

[doctordial]

I read a post on The Grooming Lounge site where someone had said that they thought that T&H 1805 was better than Acqua Di Parma for less money and performance. Someone had mentioned the only other cream better than Acqua Di Parma was Santa Maria Novella. Any thoughts, opinions, suggestion,ect....?

 

[musicman1951]

There are lots of good creams. There are as many opinions as creams. You will find shavers who think it's crazy to spend more than $10 on cream - and they could well be right for their face and beard. You really have to try them.

I have found nothing better than Castle Forbes Lavender for my face. That doesn't mean it will be the best possible choice for you. T&H make quality creams and I especially like Ultimate Comfort.

Samples are very good.

 

[ImTheGluestick]

If by chance you're near the DC area, there's a SMN at Friendship Heights which sells the soap and has a sample jar out. I didn't bother asking for a sample, since I knew there was no way in hell that I was spending that much, but they might be willing to give you a bit if you're curious.

 

[jpakstis]

I read a post on The Grooming Lounge site where someone had said that they thought that T&H 1805 was better than Acqua Di Parma for less money and performance. Someone had mentioned the only other cream better than Acqua Di Parma was Santa Maria Novella. Any thoughts, opinions, suggestion,ect....?

Not to be too crude, but this sounds like a d***-measuring contest. I've tried all sorts of creams and soaps, and they all have their own relative merits and drawbacks. I've gotten nice shaves from a tube of Palmolive that was a throw-in, and I've gotten mediocre shaves from a pot of GFT that I paid top dollar for. One thing I enjoy about the whole "traditional shaving" movement is that there is no one-size-fits-all. But that can be a drawback - if you are looking for the "best" cream or soap, the answer is probably "none" or "all." You are more likely to get a concensus on lousy products (just look at that Lush "Prince" cream thread active right now) then figure out the "best" product.

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

AdP (tub) is a very good cream, acca kappa 1869 (tub) at a third of the price it's a great performing cream. I personally think that my Omega tub that costs one tenth of the price might be just as good as AdP. JM Fraser's another cream that performs just as good as AdP.

All the hoopla about AdP is driven by its price point and people, obviously, expecting a great performing cream because of it and then being in denial about its performance when it doesn't live up to the hype, again, because of its price.

It's a little controversial, it's packaged nice, it smells good and it's a higher end luxury brand. I personally wouldn't buy it again because, yes, you can easily get a better performing cream for less money but I don't regret buying it. I might buy SMN some day and I'll probably be more dissatisfied with that one than with AdP if what I think of it is correct, i.e. it's a souped up Proraso that smells just like my Omega -menthol and eucalyptus.-

 

[Predict]

Horse pucky! There's no better cream than proraso sandalwood w/Shea butter! Seriously, no one else's best is going to be your best. I have tried Trumpers and castle Forbes and I honestly think proraso and TOBS are better. But I know lots of guys who feel the opposite. Just get out there and try some. There are lots of good recommendations here but you won't really know till you try.

 

[Lamb Root]

I read a post on The Grooming Lounge site where someone had said that they thought that T&H 1805 was better than Acqua Di Parma for less money and performance. Someone had mentioned the only other cream better than Acqua Di Parma was Santa Maria Novella. Any thoughts, opinions, suggestion,ect....?

I believe that this is only a personal opinion. I can sublimate these statements and say that SMN crema da barba is far better than T&H 1805 IMHO. I haven't tried AdP crema yet.

 

[shave~extacy]

There's no better cream than proraso sandalwood w/Shea butter! +1 imo

 

[brucered]

more money, doesn't always mean better product.

middle ground would be CF $33/jar. great product, great scent, fantastic shave and a little goes a long way.

 

[Wildalaska]

I think that AdP and SmN are second tier creams, behind any T&H offering among others. However, your mileage my vary.

After getting a less than 2 minute BBS today from an old time barber with Barbasol and a straight (and NO prep) I am inclined to again consider its the man behind the blade rather than the tools (as long as they are sharp)

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

I think that AdP and SmN are second tier creams, behind any T&H offering among others.

Well, that's a bold statement, lol...