Top-end creams worth the price?

[ieschwoch]

I've been wetshaving for about 7 months now using mostly mid-range creams such as TOBS, Proraso, and T&H. My question is this: is it worth it to try the super-high-end creams such as Penhaligon's, Castle Forbes, or Acqua di Parma? Do these creams give a markedly better shave than their less-expensive brethren? I'm not the type to constantly be trying new products; I want to find the absolute best and stick with it, so if that means throwing down $60 bucks on a tub of top-end cream once or twice a year than so be it. What I don't want to do is spend double the money on a high-end cream only to find that my $15 TOBS Rose did just as good of a job.

So any thoughts from those who have tried both the high-end and mid-range creams? Does the extra expense really pay off?

 

[Christopher_loaf]

Personally, the mid-range creams for me, (T&H, TOBS, etc) perform the same, if not in some cases out perform the $60 stuff. I had a buddy give me his half used something with the label worn off but the sticker on the bottom reading $55. I THINK it was AdP. I used it for a couple of days then went to my TOBS and didn't notice any performance difference. Now, here's the kicker, what I use the MOST is a cheap puck of soap and CO Bigelow (which is basically the proraso green) sold at Bath and Body Works. We're talking $2 a puck and $10 a tube and that's when they're not on sale?!? This super lather is by far the best "trick" i've learned since I've started wetshaving. Hope this helps and gives you some insight.

 

[Leche]

I won't. I'm very happy with what I use, the mid to low range, and I know a lot of those high end products are a fancier label and that's about it. I'd rather spend the money elsewhere like a new razor, couple of creams or soaps, etc.

 

[xgunterx]

I would easely put €60 on the table for a puck of soap of 100g if it proves to be very good. But I could never pay the same amount for a tube of cream of 75ml for example, even if it would be recognised as the best by most of the wetshavers.

 

[in the know]

At £0.99 for tubes of Palmolive I'm at the very (very) low end of the scale but I'd say buy some of the expensive stuff if you want it and you can afford it.

Blenheim Bouquet would be top of my list - based on reviews only.

 

[Doc4]

I think you will find that generally the difference between the "above average mid-price" stuff and the "ne plus ultra expensive" stuff tends to be an issue of greater investment for diminishing returns. Will $$$$cream give you a better shave experience than $$cream? Probably. Will it be "twice as good" a shave? Probably not.

It's like comparing a $300 brush and a $150 brush ... at some point the price increases stopped being for "quantum leaps forward" but for babysteps trying to squeeze out the last few %.

Some guys will tell you that TOBS = Castle Forbes, some guys will tell you that TOBS < Castle Forbes. Until you plop down the cash for a tub of the CF, you'll never know for certain; you'll certainly get a fine cream, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that you know the answer.

 

[ieschwoch]

I think you will find that generally the difference between the "above average mid-price" stuff and the "ne plus ultra expensive" stuff tends to be an issue of greater investment for diminishing returns. Will $$$$cream give you a better shave experience than $$cream? Probably. Will it be "twice as good" a shave? Probably not.

It's like comparing a $300 brush and a $150 brush ... at some point the price increases stopped being for "quantum leaps forward" but for babysteps trying to squeeze out the last few &#37;.

Some guys will tell you that TOBS = Castle Forbes, some guys will tell you that TOBS < Castle Forbes. Until you plop down the cash for a tub of the CF, you'll never know for certain; you'll certainly get a fine cream, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that you know the answer.

Ha, this was the answer I was dreading. I'm a very analytical person and I won't be satisfied unless I know I'm using the best products available for the money.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view), SWMBO is much more practical and unlikely to be too happy if $300 in high-end shaving creams suddenly appear on the counter. If I was single this hobby probably would have bankrupted me by now.

 

[LawLess]

Of course you could remove the price tags....

She'll never know.....


...until she reads your credit card statement .

 

[BarryR]

Ha, this was the answer I was dreading. I'm a very analytical person and I won't be satisfied unless I know I'm using the best products available for the money...

So, get some samples and analyze without losing your wallet!

 

[rafikz]

They are clearly not worth the expensive $$$

 

[Hanzo]

Personally, I would feel very foolish with a tub of $60 shaving cream.

 

[ieschwoch]

Personally, I would feel very foolish with a tub of $60 shaving cream.

Ha, as would I. But a year ago I would have felt very foolish with a tub of $15 rose-scented shaving cream and a single-bladed razor. I get the sense that this disease is progressive...

 

[ieschwoch]

So, get some samples and analyze without losing your wallet!

I requested a sample of AdP from a guy on this forum and I think I may request some Blenheim Bouquet as well. Probably the best way to go about things...

 

[Sullybob]

I requested a sample of AdP from a guy on this forum and I think I may request some Blenheim Bouquet as well. Probably the best way to go about things...

I think that is a great way to go. Get enough samples to try them a couple of times and see if they are worth the price.

 

[B R A N D X®]

I own all the creams you mentioned, but for me at least, nothing compares to Santa Maria Novella. At about $52.00 a tub it's pricey, but man.......it's fantastic stuff and the tub lasts a very long time.

Highly Recommended if you want to try the best stuff on the planet!

FWIW......my second fave and considerably less expensive are the Salter's Creams at about $19.00 per tub. They're *almost* as good as the SMN, but honestly there's still enough difference for me to justify the added expense of the SMN.

Of the Salter's the Sandalwood seems to perform the best for some reason.

 

[professorchaos]

I own all the creams you mentioned, but for me at least, nothing compares to Santa Maria Novella. At about $52.00 a tub it's pricey, but man.......it's fantastic stuff and the tub lasts a very long time.

Highly Recommended if you want to try the best stuff on the planet!

Amen brother!

 

[mretzloff]

I own all the creams you mentioned, but for me at least, nothing compares to Santa Maria Novella. At about $52.00 a tub it's pricey, but man.......it's fantastic stuff and the tub lasts a very long time.

Is it anything like Proraso/C.O. Bigelow (just curious because it has menthol and eucalyptus)?

 

[ogopogo]

In a word: No

Personally, I would feel very foolish with a tub of $60 shaving cream.

+1

 

[htownmmm]

Ha, as would I. But a year ago I would have felt very foolish with a tub of $15 rose-scented shaving cream and a single-bladed razor. I get the sense that this disease is progressive...

Actually, it's not. However: RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!


MARTY

 

[brothers]

To be honest with ourselves, we are being very double-faced to proclaim how wonderful it is to be saving $20 on a tub of shaving cream, when at the same time we have more than just one cheap product. What I'm saying in my poor way is that you have it one way, or the other way. One way is cheapest, which means we have only one, and paid as little as possible for it. the other way is that we have more than we need or more than we'll ever be able to use, just sitting there. A different way to say it is that we can't claim to be frugal by spending $15 or $20 on multiple items. Example, look at how conservative this guy is, he only has $115 tied up in 9 products, and he's not wasting one dime. Just look at the other guy, he's really wasteful and a spendthrift because he has $215 tied up in 6 products. It's just a lie we tell ourselves. If we like it and want multiple products, we should just say so, and enjoy it.