Love and Hate

**ruebis** · 06-05-2011, 10:17 PM

My first experience with the Truefitt And Hill sampler this week was interesting. As I work my way through the higher end line of creams and soaps, T&H seemed like a must try.

First off, $10. Shipped. For 16 samples of creams, after shave balms and pre-shave oil. Great value imo if you're unsure of the scents you may or may not like. http://www.truefittandhill.com/detail_10103__37.html

So over the last few days I have lathered up the Lime and the 1805 creams and tested out the Lime, 1805, and Grafton after shave balms.

The Good - I loved their creams. Easy to lather. Thick. Fragrant but not sledgehammer strong. The 1805 was my clear favorite and based on the sample I will very likely add a tub to my rotation. The lime was nice. Not as nice as the Castle Forbes lime but still very nice.

The Bad - Their balms, on the other hand, well, not for me. The 1805 was my favorite of the three. But all three seemed to have a fakeness to their scent. And honestly, compared to the other balms I've been using (namely Proasso and Castle Forbes lavender) none of the three seemed to really be for me. Decent but something was not quite right for my skin. Didn't sting but didn't soothe.

The Ugly - The Grafton after shave balm was just, wow. House-emptying wow. Really not for me nor anyone else, apparently. The scent opened windows on its own. One of the worst smelling shave-related anythings that I've ever encountered. Ok. Harsh. And everyone likes different things. I get it. Just one mans opinion.

Will update as I finish the rest of the sampler.

**ieschwoch** · 06-09-2011, 09:21 AM

It's interesting how people have different experiences with this. I bought this sample pack a couple of years ago and I really liked the Grafton, but hated the West Indian Limes. It smelled like I had covered my face with Lysol or Pledge. The Lavender and Almond were also very nice, and I did like the scent of 1805 even though an ingredient in it burned the heck out of my face. The Trafalgar scent was too strong for me, and Ultimate Comfort and I have never gotten along.

Good luck with the rest of the sampler!

**dannymayo** · 06-09-2011, 10:38 AM

My experience was different too. I liked the Ultimate Comfort SC the best and the Almond SC made my neck burn. Their ASB did alright by me, I don't think I'll buy a bottle but you can do a lot worse.

**kingfisher** · 06-09-2011, 10:39 AM

The West Indian Limes is my favorite of the shaving creams.

**g8rforester** · 06-09-2011, 10:43 AM

Definitely YMMV, because Grafton IMHO is their second-best scent after Trafalgar.

**Greyfox** · 06-09-2011, 10:44 AM

Good write up. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

**strop** · 06-09-2011, 01:13 PM

1805 was my first choice, Grafton was LOML's (tied with Trafalgar for 2nd). Limes was just OK.

**T-Dog** · 06-10-2011, 07:33 PM

1/2 the cream samples burned the heck out of my face too. I loved the lather and the scents, however. I also ordered the cologne samples, and found them very pleasant but weak.

**oc_in_fw** · 06-10-2011, 10:58 PM

To me, their balms are too oily. I can't seem to get a good shave with any cream. But their colognes are top notch. I like Grafton and 1805. Spanish Leather drives my wife crazy, so I like it, too.

**BruiserWeight** · 06-10-2011, 11:51 PM

I wanted to like 1805 and Trafalger, but Grafton chose me. I agree about the balms, they do not smell as nice as the after shave but they are really nice to use on a dry winter day.