Belgian/Dutch/German Shaving Products

[Suzuki]

I know there are some Belgian and German members and wanted to know what local products you recommend, as I'm going to be in Brussels and possibly the Netherlands for business.

I'm particularly interested in any good shops in Brussels and local brands of soap, aftershave you think would be worth acquiring while in town.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[SSLStudio]

I can advice for you to get the Vergulde hand . not so expensive and good quality Dutch original production for shaving.

http://www.drogisterij.net/index.php?mode=datab&zoekterm=vergulde+hand&zoekenin=prod&x=17&y=6

http://www.drogisterij.net/index.php?menuopen=&mode=produktinfo&artnr=3318973&bladeren=19&prodindex=2

You can find these products at the local drugstores called

- Kruidvat
-Da Drogist
-Trekpleister

The top 3 drugstores from the Netherlands you will find either all 3 or atleast 1 of the 3 in every town,city,village.
cant miss !

[designwise1]

100ml costs between 3 and 4 Euros (De Vergulde Hand). I have read good things about it before and would like to try this myself.

[Stauff]

If you're a straight user, maybe you could get a Belgian sharpening stone. They're supposed to be the best in the world. As for soaps and aftershaves, i'd reccommend getting some German or French brands (like Tabac, Dovo, Golddachs, Plisson a.o.) that can be bought in most Belgian cities. In Brussels there is a shop Au grand Rasoir. Now if only I could remember the adress...:blushing:

As for Vergulde Hand: With all respect and never having tried it myself, but our collegues on the German forum Nassrasur mostly say its not worth bothering about.

Good luck and welcome in Belgium!

[Suzuki]

Thanks - very helpful.

Any recommendations for good "drugstore-type" products - the French or German equivalent to Proraso?

[crackstar]

Suzuki, I strongly recommend Speick, Florena, Nivea, Balea and Cerrus. Cerrus is a nice, richly-lathered cream that when you brush it on, it feels like you're washing your face with cold water. It's mentholated, and it also smells nice. With that one you'll get a great shave and super moisturizing.

Jeff

[Suzuki]

Jeff:

Thanks for this information - I think we have similar approaches to the whole shaving soap/cream thing - I tend to like the foreign "drugstore" brands. I'm not about to get rid of my QED soaps (which are actually pretty cheap in the scheme of things), but I'm in no rush to drop cash on some of the more expensive brands that often don't work (or in many cases, smell) much better than the drugstore brands.

Not dissing the 3Ts or the other high end stuff (don't want to get ridden out on a rail), but sometimes more expensive just means...more expensive.

Thanks for the input.

[crackstar]

Oh, also I would recommend my all-time favorite which is none other than Arko! I know it's not available where I live, but www.tulumba.com always carries it, and the cylinder soap stick and any of the creams are in my honest opinion heavenly to shave with. They're also cheap as heck, and are they ever good! You're right about sometimes being more expensive just means more expensive, and another thing, I paid 25 bucks for a tub of Caswell-Massey sandalwood cream, and after a couple of shaves, I threw it away. So, it shows you, that sometimes you don't get what you pay for. :smile:

Jeff

[Stauff]

I'd recommend getting Tabac soap in the white jar. It gives me a better lather than some of the Trumpers soaps i've used in the past. It's in the mid-price range: more expensive than nivea but a lot cheaper than the English brands. IMHO Tabac can be seen as the German proraso (it's a very different product, but just like proraso it's mass produced top quality)
In Brussels the Inno Galeria department store in the Rue neuve/Nieuwstraat carries the whole Tabac range. While you're at it, get a bottle of aftershave as well: great value for the money and a terrific 'drugstore' type scent.

If you're going to visit my hometown Antwerp (a truly magnificent city, the diamond of the Low Countries!:biggrin: ), go to the Koordenwinkel in the Langegasthuisstraat. Lovely little shop; they also sell some nice creams and soaps.

[Suzuki]

Stauff, thanks for the recommendation. Tabac is definitely on the list and I will likely be right around the corner from the Galeria, so a few items are in order. Not sure if I'll get to Antwerp - although the SO wouldn't mind some diamonds, I'm sure - but I'll check out the Koordenwinkel (corner store?) if I do.

Jeff, I have a tube of Arko en route and am looking forward to giving it a go.

[LX_Emergency]

de Vergeulde Hand shaving soap is pretty good but since I shave with a straight it dries out too quick for me. I used it for a little bit and after doing half of my face I would see little clouds of fluff coming by. Maybe it's better now that I'm not looking for technique like I was in the beginning. I'll give it another try soon. And if anything I'm always willing to help people get products from here if they want to try.

[Jonnybc]

You might be able to pick up some of the European version of Palmolive, it's available in a 50g stick or a 100ml cream and very cheap. I haven't actually bought it in Belgium, Holland or Germany but have in Italy and France.

http://www.auravita.com/prodimages/COPA/copa11435.jpg

http://www.auravita.com/prodimages/COPA/COPA10200.jpg

[LX_Emergency]

yeah, they have that here....is it any good because I've been wondering about that stuff.

[Jonnybc]

yeah, they have that here....is it any good because I've been wondering about that stuff.

Yes, it's excellent! It has a very traditional scent, a bit like soap. It was the first cream I ever used so it's sort of like my benchmark. It's easily as good as the more luxurious offerings from the three Ts.

[LX_Emergency]

awesome. I'll buy some today I think :)

[LX_Emergency]

and just to get back on my opinion on "De vergeulde hand" shaving soap:

It's good stuff. It does dry out a bit quicker than the expensive soaps but I used it today and it gave an excellent shave.

In fact I had one of the cheapest shaves ever today:

Vergeulde Hand shaving soap,: $3-$4
Kent 50/50 boar badger brush that I got from ebay :$5
MAN aftershave balm: $3

and it was one of the best ones.

So money does NOT equall quality.

And if you're in the market for a good cheap balm that's available in the Netherlands go to the Aldi supermarket and het MAN aftershave balm.
(and it smells rather nice too)

[jean-pierre]

Suzuki,

If you come in Brussels, you can go to a shop called 'Au Grand Rasoir, Maison Jamart'. It's a tiny shop in the center of Brussel, close to the 'Grand Place' (very touristic place). You can find there a lot of shaving stuffs and good advices.

Here a link http://www.brusselslife.be/detail.php?serial=1871

Hope this help you,

jean-pierre

[SSLStudio]

and just to get back on my opinion on "De vergeulde hand" shaving soap:

It's good stuff. It does dry out a bit quicker than the expensive soaps but I used it today and it gave an excellent shave.

In fact I had one of the cheapest shaves ever today:

Vergeulde Hand shaving soap,: $3-$4
Kent 50/50 boar badger brush that I got from ebay :$5
MAN aftershave balm: $3

and it was one of the best ones.

So money does NOT equall quality.

And if you're in the market for a good cheap balm that's available in the Netherlands go to the Aldi supermarket and het MAN aftershave balm.
(and it smells rather nice too)

Cool , I shop weekly at the Aldi, recently at Lidl aswell since my Chiro doctor lives in Lelystad we dont have a Lidl here because Alberthein protested against that shop to start here claiming he would loose too many customers. oh Duh really ! Man it is..

[Suzuki]

Thanks again to everyone for all the recommendations - I'll have to bring an extra bag for all of the shaving creams, soaps, aftershaves and other elixers.

The Palmolive sounds like its worth giving a go, as does the De vergeulde hand (can anyone provide a translation of the name?). Like I said in my earlier post, I'm a big fan of the good drugstore brands - in my humble opinion, they offer a much better price/value proposition than the high-end stuff (again, I hope the fans of the 3Ts, AOS, etc... don't take offence).

I also hope to make it to the Au Grand Rasoir, Maison Jamart - the pictures look great.

[LX_Emergency]

the vergulde (I misspelled earlier) hand means "The Gilded Hand" and next to gillete it's one of the main brands for wetshaving gear around here.

Also if you like the scent don't forget to buy some Tabac, it's not expensive overe here and widely available at almost every DA drugstore (drogisterij) in the netherlands. Plus it gets good reviews here. I don't use it because I don't like the scent but a friend of mine got some from me for his Birthday and loved the stuff.

[crackstar]

I tried several of the Palmolive (European) creams, the Classic, Menthol, and Sensitive Skin versions. I think they're very good, although I did find the Menthol one a little bit drying. The scent of the Classic definitely differs from the American Palmolive, I find it nicer.

Jeff

[LX_Emergency]

used the palmolive for the first time today. Good stuff and available for 2 euro's a tube (around $2.50) so you should definately pick up a tube or 2 of that.

[Suzuki]

Sounds like a sweet deal.

It always amazes me how well a lot of the mass-market European products perform at a fraction of the price of the high end stuff.

[crackstar]

LX, I know this is a late answer, but I heard a lot of good things about De Vergulde Hand shaving soap, and I will be getting some in soon. I heard it smells very nice as well. A couple of years ago, I had the Palmolive soap stick, and I thought it was excellent as well.

Jeff

[Scotto]

When I go to Belgium, I am too busy ODing on beer to worry about shaving products. I suggest you do the same. :wink:

[Suzuki]

Don't worry - I did that too!

Seriously, if you get a chance to go the Au Grand Rasoir, I highly recommend you do so.

Decent prices, great selection of Simpson and Plisson brushes, razors and accoutrements. I also bought a some tubes of Coates cream while I was there. They also have a great selection of pocket knives. The other upside is that you can get your VAT back on your purchases!

[guenron]

Word is that Amsterdam only now recovered from Scotto's last trip. For some strange reasons shaving soap and mattresses were in high demand..:a2:

[Scotto]

Hee! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just remember, what happens in Europe stays in Europe.... :wink:

[LX_Emergency]

LX, I know this is a late answer, but I heard a lot of good things about De Vergulde Hand shaving soap, and I will be getting some in soon. I heard it smells very nice as well. A couple of years ago, I had the Palmolive soap stick, and I thought it was excellent as well.

Jeff
The Vergulde Hand soap is pretty good. I'm not a big fan of the scent myself which is why I gave it away to someone. But at 1.50 euro's it's definately worth the gamble.

[crackstar]

Man, that's not terribly expensive, LX. If you want to really know about a good soap that's super cheap, try Arko. In Turkey where it's from, you'll probably pay 50 cents, maybe even less in some places.

Jeff

[guenron]

Man, that's not terribly expensive, LX. If you want to really know about a good soap that's super cheap, try Arko. In Turkey where it's from, you'll probably pay 50 cents, maybe even less in some places.

Jeff
Whoa, whoa, whoa commandante Arko! It is not that it is cheap, it is inexpensive...:scared:

[Suzuki]

The De Vergulde Hand cream (not the soap) is also very cheap - 3 Euros.

Its decent, but no more - for about the same price, the Palmolive and Nivea are better products.

As for the Arko, I've only tried the soap - lathers well, does the job and is dirt cheap. I just find the scent too reminiscent of industrial cleaner and very strong. My shaving bag still smells like it - despite having removed the soap (which was in a ziploc bag) over a month ago!

[crackstar]

Ron, forgive me my diplomacy! :wink:

Jeff

[SSLStudio]

Word is that Amsterdam only now recovered from Scotto's last trip. For some strange reasons shaving soap and mattresses were in high demand..:a2:

LOOOOOOOL :biggrin:

[SSLStudio]

The De Vergulde Hand cream (not the soap) is also very cheap - 3 Euros.

Its decent, but no more - for about the same price, the Palmolive and Nivea are better products.

As for the Arko, I've only tried the soap - lathers well, does the job and is dirt cheap. I just find the scent too reminiscent of industrial cleaner and very strong. My shaving bag still smells like it - despite having removed the soap (which was in a ziploc bag) over a month ago!

Thanks for the heads up, Crackstar can do without it then I havent seen the vergulde hand cream in the stores though anyways I better get going and see if the Truck I rented to bring the package to the post office for Jeff has arrived yet. monster weighs 1000 grams my poor back. filled with goodies that only fits an Arko King :em2100:

[Suzuki]

Thanks for the heads up, Crackstar can do without it then I havent seen the vergulde hand cream in the stores though anyways I better get going and see if the Truck I rented to bring the package to the post office for Jeff has arrived yet. monster weighs 1000 grams my poor back. filled with goodies that only fits an Arko King :em2100:


Having said that, the De Vergulde Hand a/s balsam is pretty good, but it costs about 8 Euros.

I can't believe Jeff wants MORE Arko, he'll have to shave about 10 times a day to use up his stock - not including what you're sending to him!

[crackstar]

:lol: :lol: My God, I'm PHREAKED out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arko Rules!! But, hey, De Vergulde Hand as I understand is also great stuff. I'm always open to trying new brands. :smile:

Jeff

[SSLStudio]

Having said that, the De Vergulde Hand a/s balsam is pretty good, but it costs about 8 Euros.

I can't believe Jeff wants MORE Arko, he'll have to shave about 10 times a day to use up his stock - not including what you're sending to him!

I think thats the priviledge of a King/President, thats why you and I arent Kings. :001_tt2:
Seriously there is an enormous Arko survival pack in it to make sure the next 3 years he doesnt run out,but mainly im sending the King Palmolive and V.Hand shave stick.

by the way 8 euro for a balsem is dirtcheap im getting some stuff in thats AU$60 list price what is in it? my youth back probably for the amount of money it better make me look 5 years younger or else ! :001_tt2:

[crackstar]

guys, has anybody ever heard of LOCAR shave soap? It's made in Poland, I believe. It has a gorgeous scent, almost exactly like Irish Spring soap, a good lather, but unfortunately, it's drying to the skin. Check out the review I posted on it.

Jeff

[crackstar]

Rene, bless you, I feel forever indebted to you, my friend! I won't forget this beautiful gesture ever! We can all be Arko kings if we truly want to. :lol: :lol:

Jeff