Good Evening,
I am new to the board, so thanks for having me. After a very long time I got my first straight razor today and am looking forward to learning how to use it. I currently use a Merkur DE with Merkur blades. I do have a question though; why does noone really use The Art of Shaving? I have not used any of the 3 T's but LOVE The Art of Shaving. When I have looked online, TAoS seems to be maybe a few dollars more but works so well. I do want to try some of Trumpers and Taylors but am looking for sample sizes instead of buying a huge container.
Are either Trumpers or Taylors that much better than The Art of Shaving? If so, wow, they must be great!
Thanks,
Darren
New to Straights
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stropmegently
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:09 pm
New to Straights
New to the straight razor thing, long learning curve.
Darren,
If you are looking for samples, contact Trumpers at enquiries@trumpers.com. They offer generous samples. Taylor's, unfortunately, does not send out samples. Many of the gents here use and like the AOS products, but the issue is price. I'll be picking up my first tub of AOS next week, but I'm only doing so out of curiousity. I'll be paying about 35% more than I would pay for Taylor's. And I'm guessing I'll find it just as good, but not better, at least not 35% better.
Welcome to SMF, and keep asking questions!
Randy
If you are looking for samples, contact Trumpers at enquiries@trumpers.com. They offer generous samples. Taylor's, unfortunately, does not send out samples. Many of the gents here use and like the AOS products, but the issue is price. I'll be picking up my first tub of AOS next week, but I'm only doing so out of curiousity. I'll be paying about 35% more than I would pay for Taylor's. And I'm guessing I'll find it just as good, but not better, at least not 35% better.
Welcome to SMF, and keep asking questions!
Randy
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." J. B. Books
AOS is great stuff. Their lavender cream is awesome, as is their sandalwood soap. It's a misnomer, because compared to Taylors, just about everything is expensive (save Proraso). AOS is $22 a tub, if memory serves. That's right on par, on a per oz. basis, with most other high quality creams. The price argument just doesn't hold, yet it is constantly perpetuated on these boards (their soap, on the other hand, is pretty pricey).
To me, Taylors is less expensive for a reason, it's a sub-par cream. I think Proraso is very good though.
Enjoy the AOS cream, and don't expect too much more out of any other cream. There are a few that I think are better, but the differences are pretty subtle.
Drew
To me, Taylors is less expensive for a reason, it's a sub-par cream. I think Proraso is very good though.
Enjoy the AOS cream, and don't expect too much more out of any other cream. There are a few that I think are better, but the differences are pretty subtle.
Drew
AOS is good stuff, I think most of the issue people have is their marketing, which tends to drive other creams off the shelves....I believe Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus(?) used to carry Trumper, for instance, but now that AOS is available, retailers seem to believe they have that whole base covered and need not offer anything else.....
That said, I do like the AOS lemon and the AOS sandalwood. They are good creams.
John P.
That said, I do like the AOS lemon and the AOS sandalwood. They are good creams.
John P.
Darren,
Give Trumpers a shot. IF you are looking for something a little different but ellegant, the Rose is great stuff. Violet is ok. Almond is my favorite.
I have found that the quality of a Trumper is variable.
You can mix it to be VERY THICK and CREAMY or with a little more water you can have a thinner wetter consistancy like a soap. If it starts to dry out too quickly then take the brush and dip it in a little water and re-wet your face. Either way it is a very slick, very elegant cream. I will always have it on-hand.
I can't wait till my local store gets the lime back in stock to try it.
Give Trumpers a shot. IF you are looking for something a little different but ellegant, the Rose is great stuff. Violet is ok. Almond is my favorite.
I have found that the quality of a Trumper is variable.
You can mix it to be VERY THICK and CREAMY or with a little more water you can have a thinner wetter consistancy like a soap. If it starts to dry out too quickly then take the brush and dip it in a little water and re-wet your face. Either way it is a very slick, very elegant cream. I will always have it on-hand.
I can't wait till my local store gets the lime back in stock to try it.
Laney
Beard Management Specialist
Beard Management Specialist
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English
I've used AOS for the last month and think its a great shaving cream.
If I compare it to Trumpers cream, I think the AOS has better lubrication and protection.
I wouldn't like to say which is best but I prefer the AOS with a straight edge.
The truth is, that best depends on your skin and it's sensitivities.
This said, I think AOS is much better than Taylor's, better than C&E and the equal of the top shelf English creams. It is however, quite expensive.
If I compare it to Trumpers cream, I think the AOS has better lubrication and protection.
I wouldn't like to say which is best but I prefer the AOS with a straight edge.
The truth is, that best depends on your skin and it's sensitivities.
This said, I think AOS is much better than Taylor's, better than C&E and the equal of the top shelf English creams. It is however, quite expensive.
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stropmegently
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:09 pm
Thanks for the replies. I am awaiting delivery of my samples of Trumpers (got the email from a guy on here who said to ask them for samples. I did and they are sending them!) Thanks for the advice on creams and such as well.
I am going to a barber on Tuesday for my first straight shave (I ordered and got a dovo carbon steel yesterday). My wife is making me go to a barber to get a shave before I do one myself. She is afraid I will slit my throat
I hope he will let me see him strop and such as well. I have practiced stropping all ready and got my Norton stone the other day. I am set to start, now have to wait (working right now).
If I dissapear, means I did cut my throat
Have a good weekend,
Darren
I am going to a barber on Tuesday for my first straight shave (I ordered and got a dovo carbon steel yesterday). My wife is making me go to a barber to get a shave before I do one myself. She is afraid I will slit my throat
I hope he will let me see him strop and such as well. I have practiced stropping all ready and got my Norton stone the other day. I am set to start, now have to wait (working right now).
If I dissapear, means I did cut my throat
Have a good weekend,
Darren
New to the straight razor thing, long learning curve.
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bbqncigars
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:02 pm
- Location: Iowa
Darren:
Welcome to the wonderful (and addicting) world of str8 shaving! I get my closest and most comfortable shaves with a str8. Careful how you strop, though. You can ruin an edge with bad stropping technique. I invite you to check out http://www.straightrazorplace.com/
Lots of good info on using/maintaining str8s there.
Wayne, SOTD: Henckel Friodur 8/8 + Proraso
Welcome to the wonderful (and addicting) world of str8 shaving! I get my closest and most comfortable shaves with a str8. Careful how you strop, though. You can ruin an edge with bad stropping technique. I invite you to check out http://www.straightrazorplace.com/
Lots of good info on using/maintaining str8s there.
Wayne, SOTD: Henckel Friodur 8/8 + Proraso
"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most." A. Brilliant
Heh heh heh You might not just ruin a good edge with bad stropping.....I had a wonderfully good Jemico red Russian leather strop....Wonderful strop....flipped the blade a little too late on one of my swipes, and nearly sliced the strop in two!
As for AOS creams, a lot is personal opinion. I think there is some variation between the different scents of the same manufacturer as well....it is too easy to generalize. For instance, my experiences do not agree with those of English. I do not think AOS is far better than Taylor, C&E etc. Personally, I find very little difference between AOS and Trumper as far as performance (BLASPHEMY!) But if you were talking about Trumper COCONUT, then I would choose Trumper without hesitation. Same thing with Taylor. If we are comparing AOS lavender to Taylor lavender, I'd give the edge to AOS. Taylor avocado? Taylor gets the nod. C&E? I think the C&E sweet almond oil blows pretty much everything else out of the water. Their sandalwood cream is not quite as luxurious, however....
So....you are back to square one, and now you have to do like the rest of us, accept your SCAD, get counselling if you need it, and buy EVERYTHING.....
John P.
As for AOS creams, a lot is personal opinion. I think there is some variation between the different scents of the same manufacturer as well....it is too easy to generalize. For instance, my experiences do not agree with those of English. I do not think AOS is far better than Taylor, C&E etc. Personally, I find very little difference between AOS and Trumper as far as performance (BLASPHEMY!) But if you were talking about Trumper COCONUT, then I would choose Trumper without hesitation. Same thing with Taylor. If we are comparing AOS lavender to Taylor lavender, I'd give the edge to AOS. Taylor avocado? Taylor gets the nod. C&E? I think the C&E sweet almond oil blows pretty much everything else out of the water. Their sandalwood cream is not quite as luxurious, however....
So....you are back to square one, and now you have to do like the rest of us, accept your SCAD, get counselling if you need it, and buy EVERYTHING.....
John P.