Review of Stirling soap co “Ben Franklin” aftershave tonic

[CaptKirk1988]

Benjamin Franklin aftershave tonic by Stirling soap co.

Made in: USA

Item description: N/A

Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Aloe, Distilled Water, Polysorbate 20, Essential Oil

Scent profile: Scent Description: Made with Benzoin, Frankincense, Clove, and Nutmeg essential oils. This splash smells like an older gentleman’s pantaloons at the end of a hot July day in Philadelphia, drafting important documents with no air conditioner. It’s actually a very unique scent that reminded a few of our testers of a root beer float. An instant favorite.
NOTE: The description is tongue-in-cheek. It smells like a wonderful blend of Frankincense, Benzoin, Nutmeg, and Clove. It doesn't actually smell like sweaty old man pants. As of 3 March 2015, we have been averaging about 2-3 inquiries per week as to why we would make a soap that smells like an older gentleman's trousers......

What I think this item smells like: cloves, frankincense, spices and liquorice. burning wires? Older gentleman’s clothes.

Silage/potency: moderate to strong

Longevity: 6 hours

Gender best for: unisex but closer to male

Best season: spring/fall/winter

First thoughts: Heavy on the cloves and frankincense. I get with it a weird burning smell like car wires. But for some reason it’s not that bad of a smell.

Final thoughts: Unless you are really into incense type scents I don’t suggest this one. It gets the job done though.

Website: Stirling Soap Company - Home - https://www.stirlingsoap.com

Product page: https://www.stirlingsoap.com/collections/witch-hazel-aloes/products/ben-franklin-witch-hazel-aloe

Where I bought: Stirling Soap Co. | Ben Franklin Witch Hazel & Aloe - https://topofthechain.ca/products/stirling-soap-co-ben-franklin-witch-hazel-aloe?_pos=15&_sid=422001976&_ss=r

 

[BigJ]

Wonderful review!!

 

[Ted A]

Burning wires. That’s what I smell.

 

[CaptKirk1988]

Wonderful review!!

I do my best. I try to give my most honest opinion even if it upsets the vendors. Haha. Of course I’ll be polite about any negative feedback

Burning wires. That’s what I smell.

It reallly does. But compared to the actual thing, I’d rather smell this Aftershave. I think it’s the cloves. It may be heavy on the cloves.

 

[Albert V]

I have not tried their Ben Franklin scent as I was always put off by the description - actually many scent descriptions in general are of little help. That said, I am a big fan of their Witch Hazel tonics. Lemon Chill and Orange Chill (both menthol) are favorites. Glacial Wintergreen had too much menthol and sometimes could make my eyes burn if applied too close. Vetiver scent I did not care for at all - but I am not a Vetiver expert. Coniferous is great, Margaritas in the Arctic (menthol) is nice but slightly prefer Orange chill. Looking forward to trying samples of Bay Rum, Lime, Lemongrass, and Bergamot and Lavender on my next order.

Also, I am a fan of their balms. Again, Lemon Chill is my favorite.

I am a witch hazel and balm guy, as opposed to a Alum block and alcohol aftershave man. For lingering scents, EDT’s over aftershave splashes for me

 

[CaptKirk1988]

I have not tried their Ben Franklin scent as I was always put off by the description - actually many scent descriptions in general are of little help.

honestly. I know it’s the clove. But it really does smell like burning wires. So unless you love clove I’d avoid this one. This was a blind buy. I mean “I” like it but I can see how many may not.

 

[Borderboss]

I love clove, being a big fan of clove-forward Bay Rum scents, especially Captain's Choice Cat 'o Nine Tails. I don't get burning wires in that aftershave because of the clove. I wonder if the other stuff in the Stirling product combined with the clove is making the burning wire scent.

 

[CaptKirk1988]

I love clove, being a big fan of clove-forward Bay Rum scents, especially Captain's Choice Cat 'o Nine Tails. I don't get burning wires in that aftershave because of the clove. I wonder if the other stuff in the Stirling product combined with the clove is making the burning wire scent.

You know…. I never thought about that.

 

[Borderboss]

I went to look for this product on Stirling's website and it's not listed. I guess this is no longer a product they create.

 

[CaptKirk1988]

I went to look for this product on Stirling's website and it's not listed. I guess this is no longer a product they create.

Not trying to be intrusive or trying to fetch info. Are you by chance outside of the USA? It seems when (the last time I had someone check) someone from the USA goes to the page, it’s there. But when I, (being Canadian), check, it’s not there. (Mind you this is the stirling site where I can’t find it. I got mine from top of the chain. A Canadian site.)

 

[Borderboss]

I'm in the US. I thought this was an aftershave splash. I didn't realize that Stirling has an entire product line under "Witch Hazel and Aloe" and those all have scents that aren't necessarily the same scents as the soaps or aftershaves.

 

[CaptKirk1988]

I'm in the US. I thought this was an aftershave splash. I didn't realize that Stirling has an entire product line under "Witch Hazel and Aloe" and those all have scents that aren't necessarily the same scents as the soaps or aftershaves.

Hmm. I did not know that. I’ll try to be more informative in what I call it. Thank you for pointing that out.

 

[Captainjonny]

I believe Stirling has discontinued Ben Franklin. I loved both the bath soap and shave soap versions of this scent. I am very disappointed that this product has been removed from the lineup. Maybe it will return at a later date.

 

[CaptKirk1988]

I believe Stirling has discontinued Ben Franklin. I loved both the bath soap and shave soap versions of this scent. I am very disappointed that this product has been removed from the lineup. Maybe it will return at a later date.

Oh noes!

that stinks. Still, I probably won’t buy this particular scent again. I’m sure there’s better scents out there