Recently I bought 10 samples and have used all of them once. Some quick thoughts on these samples are as follows. Obviously YMMV and there may not be logical reasons for me to not buy some of the ones I liked, except for reasons I liked other samples, or soaps/creams I currently have better. Basically I got a fine shave from all these products.
I like sandalwood, so three of the samples were sandalwood scented:
1)Stirling sandalwood (its the only soap, all the rest of the samples were creams) - excellent all around, just like all the Stirling soaps I have tried; excellent lather, cushion, slickness and post shave feel. My second favorite sandalwood scent behind Proraso. Would purchase again.
2)Geo. F. Trumper Sandalwood - excellent all around, except the scent was almost non-existent. On par with Stirling except for the scent issue. Probably would not purchase again due to the scent being so subtle.
3)Castle Forbes Cedarwood & Sandalwood - Also an excellent shave, wonderful post shave feel, maybe a bit better than the others. But scent was more cedarwood, minimal sandalwood to me, if at all. Probably would not purchase again.
Other creams:
1)Castle Forbes Lavendar -outstanding all around, great post shave face feel, really enjoyed the cream. Would purchase again.
2)Geo F. Trumper Rose - really enjoyed this cream, also outstanding shave and the scent just was excellent. Much better scent than TOBS Rose (the only other rose cream I have tried). Would purchase again.
3)Stirling Gentleman - one of my favorite scents, although I cannot explain it well, but it just grabbed me for some reason. Typical Stirling excellent shave. Would purchase again.
4)TOBS Grapefruit - very nice shave, just like all the TOBS creams. I did not find it as perfumy as I do other TOBS creams. Might be a good summer cream.
5)Taconic Eucalyptus Mint - Did not have high expectations of this one but it was also excellent. Nice scent, great shave. Used it 8 hours ago, and may face still feels clean shaven. Would purchase again.
6)Barrister & Mann Latha Oceana - Nice shave, no complaints at all. Scent almost non-existent. Probably would not purchase again.
7)Cella - The worst shave out of the bunch. Not terrible, and it is the least expensive cream of the bunch (at least in purchase price), but I found it to be inferior to Proraso (similar price) and not as good all around as Stirling Almond Creme. Would not purchase again.
So, all of the above lathered up easy ( I face lather), had good cushion, good slickness, good post shave face feel. Maybe the CF had a bit better post shave face feel, but not by much. So many good products to choose from and so many more samples to try........
I like sandalwood, so three of the samples were sandalwood scented:
1)Stirling sandalwood (its the only soap, all the rest of the samples were creams) - excellent all around, just like all the Stirling soaps I have tried; excellent lather, cushion, slickness and post shave feel. My second favorite sandalwood scent behind Proraso. Would purchase again.
2)Geo. F. Trumper Sandalwood - excellent all around, except the scent was almost non-existent. On par with Stirling except for the scent issue. Probably would not purchase again due to the scent being so subtle.
3)Castle Forbes Cedarwood & Sandalwood - Also an excellent shave, wonderful post shave feel, maybe a bit better than the others. But scent was more cedarwood, minimal sandalwood to me, if at all. Probably would not purchase again.
Other creams:
1)Castle Forbes Lavendar -outstanding all around, great post shave face feel, really enjoyed the cream. Would purchase again.
2)Geo F. Trumper Rose - really enjoyed this cream, also outstanding shave and the scent just was excellent. Much better scent than TOBS Rose (the only other rose cream I have tried). Would purchase again.
3)Stirling Gentleman - one of my favorite scents, although I cannot explain it well, but it just grabbed me for some reason. Typical Stirling excellent shave. Would purchase again.
4)TOBS Grapefruit - very nice shave, just like all the TOBS creams. I did not find it as perfumy as I do other TOBS creams. Might be a good summer cream.
5)Taconic Eucalyptus Mint - Did not have high expectations of this one but it was also excellent. Nice scent, great shave. Used it 8 hours ago, and may face still feels clean shaven. Would purchase again.
6)Barrister & Mann Latha Oceana - Nice shave, no complaints at all. Scent almost non-existent. Probably would not purchase again.
7)Cella - The worst shave out of the bunch. Not terrible, and it is the least expensive cream of the bunch (at least in purchase price), but I found it to be inferior to Proraso (similar price) and not as good all around as Stirling Almond Creme. Would not purchase again.
So, all of the above lathered up easy ( I face lather), had good cushion, good slickness, good post shave face feel. Maybe the CF had a bit better post shave face feel, but not by much. So many good products to choose from and so many more samples to try........