What cream (or soap) will be a step-up for me?

[c0rk]

I used to use Gilette/Nivea soap from the can, I used some Proraso can as well (Bought it with my Merkur double edge). After that, I have switched to a boar hair brush with Vergulde Hand shaving soap (It's dutch). That was a real big step up as well, but leaves my face a bit dry. I use Proraso pre and after shave now (Educated myself well, I guess )

I'm looking for the next best thing (soap or cream, having an after shave in the range is a plus) that doesn't break the bank. A Proraso tube, maybe? Might do well when not having a brush around. I hear good stuff of EJ/Muhle as well.

Something I really should try?

Cheers!

 

[eth]

Are you using Vergulde Hand soap puck, stick, or shaving cream (yes, they all exist)? You say soap about canned gel/foam, so I'd appreciate clarification.

I looked into De Vergulde Hand some time ago, as I was curious. From what I read, De Vergulde Hand isn't all that good. It is cheap, but it isn't good in its price range either. The only product that I have found people really liking is the aftershave balm.

So, I believe most products would be a step up. Proraso doesn't make a single bad product, the new red cream recieves great reviews. Anything from there performs well, but you have to find a scent you will appreciate. I haven't tried the red cream myself, my favourite Proraso line is the white one.

EJ/Mühle (identical products, different packaging) also makes excellent products, but the soaps can be a challenge. They are not the easiest soaps to lather. The creams are good, and easier to use. The aftershaves are very good, but pricey. The English Shaving Company has free shipping worldwide right now, so unless you can get EJ/Mühle locally I believe that is the cheapest EJ you will find when you consider shipping in the cost. They carry the entire EJ range.

You could also consider Truefitt & Hill No. 10 shaving cream. It's cheaper than the regular T&H creams, and performs very well. The scent is so-so, but performance is great - even brushless.

 

[c0rk]

Oops! I meant this one:



I can order EJ / Mühle here. Too bad shops won't carry it (they only carry Proraso, and only in specific shops which I think is a shame.) I lather directly on my face.

Thanks! I'm tempted to order some EJ or Truefitt. No shop in here carries the new Proraso Red line afaik.

 

[Rivguy]

In the soap range I think that you would enjoy DR Harris Arlington or Marlborough which are outstanding performers. They both have corresponding AS and colognes that are wonderful as well. I enjoy the Arlington for warmer weather and the Marlborough for fall and winter but enjoy both year round. I also enjoy GFT Eucris in both the soap and cream versions and the EDT is excellent. T&H Grafton and 1805 creams are excellent and the complementary EDT's are great as are the balms. Tabac is another great performer with AS and EDT products. There are others but these are all worth your consideration.

Regards,

Doug

 

[alexcasdin]

a great starting point is getting samplers of Truefitt, TOBS and GFT online. A ton of fun to really see what scent and cream maker you like. You should be able to find at least 2 that work well for you. They are quality products and not overly expensive.

 

[c0rk]

The shop I am looking at stocks the Marlborough tube (they say it's good for a dry skin), I think the smell will be good and it's just 2-3 eur above Edwin Jagger. They stock Truefitt as well.

Gotta be a tough choice, but thanks lads!

 

[CGW409]

The shop I am looking at stocks the Marlborough tube (they say it's good for a dry skin), I think the smell will be good and it's just 2-3 eur above Edwin Jagger. They stock Truefitt as well.

Gotta be a tough choice, but thanks lads!

Made a run to Merz Apothocary (Chicago) and the T&H is a stone cold bear to decide on,same for the TOBS.
Finally decided on Grafton from T&H (good enough for Sir Winston Churchill,good enough for me)and Eton College and Mr.Taylor from TOBS.
The TOBS Shaving Shop is another nice scent.

 

[mharris127]

Made a run to Merz Apothocary (Chicago) and the T&H is a stone cold bear to decide on,same for the TOBS.
Finally decided on Grafton from T&H (good enough for Sir Winston Churchill,good enough for me)and Eton College and Mr.Taylor from TOBS.
The TOBS Shaving Shop is another nice scent.

I think the OP is in the Netherlands as that is where DVH is commonly available. A trip to Chicago from there would be extremely costly. As for a recommendation I would try Arko in a tube (the stick is great as well but the OP is used to creams). Arko is available in Turkey and bestshave.net carries it. Since the Netherlands and Turkey are both EU countries I understand most duty charges have been eliminated between the two countries. Proraso in the tub is also a good choice (haven't tried the tube) and that may be available locally in the EU or Connaught in the UK carries it via mail-order (also an EU country but the UK does not use the Euro so currency conversion fees on your credit card would apply).

 

[vitalMyth]

just pick up some MWF. it's $13 for a puck without a bowl, so just wet one side and press it down into a dish or plate or wherever you want to stick it. it's in a class of its own, it's a HUGE step up and doesn't cost much.

 

[syngent]

c0rk, since there is so many things tht would be a gret buy, you should look to see what you have locally to you first and start with those products, for one you can smell them before you buy, do you know what you have around you or what stores you have to buy at ? maybe we could suggest something from them.... but if you want something a bit more you should look at castle forbes, expensive but it goes a very long way and you dot use very much, or head over to italian barber and check out the razorockproducts as they work well, and are very budget friendly

 

[Predict]

Tabac, TOBS, proraso, cella, Razorock, can't go wrong with any of these.

 

[c0rk]

I think the OP is in the Netherlands as that is where DVH is commonly available. A trip to Chicago from there would be extremely costly. As for a recommendation I would try Arko in a tube (the stick is great as well but the OP is used to creams). Arko is available in Turkey and bestshave.net carries it. Since the Netherlands and Turkey are both EU countries I understand most duty charges have been eliminated between the two countries. Proraso in the tub is also a good choice (haven't tried the tube) and that may be available locally in the EU or Connaught in the UK carries it via mail-order (also an EU country but the UK does not use the Euro so currency conversion fees on your credit card would apply).

Yup, I am! Only a lot of Gillette/Wilkinson/Nivea stuff in stores here, Palmolive (which I understand is quite good, I don't like the scent) and DVH. we do have a few 'authentic' barbers (Schorem in Rotterdam for example) and a few webshops that carry the 'good' stuff.

As Turkey is in the EU, I only have to pay shipping costs. It'll take a few days before it gets there, but that's about it. By the way, it seems like the DVH shaving brush is a (cheap) Omega clone without the branding.

I am ordering some Dr. Harris, by the way. I'll let you know how it turns out!

 

[c0rk]

Got the Dr. Harris. Face lathering with it gives a nice, thick cream that lasts. Didn't really notice the smell, but it doesn't really bother me.

Would I consider it a step-up? Yup!

 

[7 O Menthol]

Which scent did you go with? Stick, puck, or cream?

 

[CGW409]

I think the OP is in the Netherlands as that is where DVH is commonly available. A trip to Chicago from there would be extremely costly. As for a recommendation I would try Arko in a tube (the stick is great as well but the OP is used to creams). Arko is available in Turkey and bestshave.net carries it. Since the Netherlands and Turkey are both EU countries I understand most duty charges have been eliminated between the two countries. Proraso in the tub is also a good choice (haven't tried the tube) and that may be available locally in the EU or Connaught in the UK carries it via mail-order (also an EU country but the UK does not use the Euro so currency conversion fees on your credit card would apply).

I wasn't suggesting OP make a trip here to Chi-town( I understand the various AD's but that would be overkill) but was more or less commenting on the difficulties he would encounter trying to decide on what T&H cream to purchase and took a chance that if the shop he was dealing with carried T&H to suggest a few TOBS scents on the off chance they carried those as well.

 

[razor79]

I think in terms of a luxury product but not at a luxury price you have to try TOBS. They are significantly cheaper that Castle Forbes and the other English brands, but still have the luxury feel and high quality scents. I am also a fan of Cyril R. Salter. Used the mint this morning and I really like it. Nice rich lather and about the same price as TOBS.