Truefitt & Hill -- sampler diary

**noctilux** · 10-03-2011, 09:01 PM

grafton is the one so far. i don't even dare to try rose because i have not liked rose anything to date that i've been exposed to in wet shaving. is this a mistake? i would rather pass along the sampler to someone likely to enjoy it, as opposed to wasting it on a long shot here.

v.

**aceinyerface** · 10-03-2011, 09:42 PM

It will make someone happy.

**Piper Down** · 10-03-2011, 09:59 PM

I'm working my way—much less methodically—through a T&H sampler pack right now. I've loved every one so far. I fully intend to buy some of their product when next I need to replenish.

I'm enjoying your odyssey. Keep going!

**noctilux** · 10-03-2011, 10:08 PM

thanks chaps! i really didn't think anyone was reading!

if someone really wants the rose, please let me know and there is a mini-quick-PIF in the making. that said, if this is the rose to totally change my mind about rose, i would like to know.

v.

**BruiserWeight** · 10-04-2011, 12:07 AM

I have enjoyed reading your posts. Grafton has become my favorite shaving cream (and after shave, and cologne). Momentum Grooming in Vancouver carries the full line of T&H if you feel the need to add to your collection.

**Royall Lyme** · 10-04-2011, 03:08 PM

After going through my sampler pack.....Trafalgar, 1805, & Sandalwood are my faves. I plan to keep a constant rotation of these in my den.

**bcs89** · 10-04-2011, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by noctilux

in the world of photography (where, if you can believe it, there are forums like this), i have owned (and for the mostpart still own) pentax, canon, leica, minolta, hasselblad, contax, nikon and even stuff like bessa, zorki, jupiter, tamron. in that arena, when speaking of lenses, no enthusiast was ever able to challenge me with: "well yes, but have not tried xxx". i am simply trying to get up to speed with shaving ;-)

mind you, this was simply a sampler pack purchase and a very good deal. that said, i'm already about to expand the storage capabilities of the shave den.

v.

Any thoughts on the Industar 61 L/D? I gave mine away (attached to a Fed) to a friend who was looking for something to spark his interest again, I thought a return to basics with an incredible lens would do it, pretty sure it worked - but I miss the lens something fierce.

-s

**ScoutHikerDad** · 10-04-2011, 03:52 PM

Still working through my own T&H sampler, though at this point having tried them all at least once, my favorite scent is Trafalgar. I loved the Almond, too (though I didn't expect to). All produce a thick, rich lather with just a miniscule glob of product. I'm getting 3-4 shaves per pack!

**noctilux** · 10-04-2011, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by bcs89

Any thoughts on the Industar 61 L/D? I gave mine away (attached to a Fed) to a friend who was looking for something to spark his interest again, I thought a return to basics with an incredible lens would do it, pretty sure it worked - but I miss the lens something fierce.

i've not tried that one, but i do have something close: a jupiter 8 from 1957 (silver barrel). got it for $25 on ebay attached to a horrible zorki 4 body. the lens, however, is perhaps the sharpest i own and excellent in other regards,as well. here are a couple of shots:

http://vukfoto.com/i.php?g=1&p=2&i=1...BW004902-diner

http://vukfoto.com/i.php?g=1&p=2&i=2...W010905-eatonC

note the great bokeh in #2.

...and then there is this one:

sharper than a feather blade!

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Still working through my own T&H sampler, though at this point having tried them all at least once, my favorite scent is Trafalgar. I loved the Almond, too (though I didn't expect to). All produce a thick, rich lather with just a miniscule glob of product. I'm getting 3-4 shaves per pack!

3-4 shaves!!! i am using the whole little thingy for just 1 shave, though, i confess, 2 would be possible, but with a lot of messing about wrapping it up, etc.

cheers,
v.

p.s. shaved with GFT coconut tonight ;-)

**nero82** · 10-04-2011, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by noctilux

grafton opened very much like being suckled by venus at dawn on a fresh feather bed. it ended with the feeling of having become the sort of refined aristocrat you only read about as a 14 year-old.

I just snorted coffee out my nose reading this...

**ruebis** · 10-04-2011, 11:08 PM

T&H creams are classic. Top class. I went through the sampler as well. Not sure there was a clear cut favorite. 1805, Rose, and WI Limes were probably my top 3 in no particular order. The 1805 and WI Limes were the only two that I later purchased. Though I did buy their unscented sensitive skin to use with soaps when making super lathers.

Grafton was another story altogether. Let's just say the scent was not for me. One of the worst shave scents I've smelled, ever. But we all like different stuff. Therein lays the beauty of our hobby/passion.

**ruebis** · 10-04-2011, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by noctilux

that said, if this is the rose to totally change my mind about rose, i would like to know.

In all likelihood it's not. QCS makes rose otto which I've found to be the best rose around. Nothing like it.

**JCinPA** · 10-05-2011, 04:12 AM

How do you track all this? Do you keep a notebook? A list in Excel? You are collecting a lot of information, I'm wondering how you will organize it for later retrieval and use.

I've never used one, but maybe a software program designed for tracking wine notes or something? I'm not teasing you at all, I'm quite serious.

You have more finely tuned senses than I do in this stuff and I think if you could collate your 'research' into some organized format a lot of us would love to hear your report.

Not trying to make more work for you, but I, for one, am genuinely interested. A couple of your suggestions for me have been real knockout products.

**noctilux** · 10-05-2011, 09:43 AM

john.

if i had to maintain an excel sheet for this, it would probably kill my desire to shave ;-)

i'm an obsessive person and this stuff is very enjoyable and motivating, which makes learning and remembering rather easy. also, when i really, really like something, it stands out and my memory is much clearer than those which do not perform.

keep in mind that i have only tried about 40 products so far. that's not really a huge number. raise it 200 and then i imagine i would have to design a software system for myself. also, what use would such very personal data be to others--especially when it comes to scent? we all have particular episodes in life, many from childhood, which shape what smells mean to us. i am not enough of a celebrity for people to be interested in a guide to the minutiae of my tastes ;-)

v.

**bcs89** · 10-05-2011, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by noctilux

i've not tried that one, but i do have something close: a jupiter 8 from 1957 (silver barrel). got it for $25 on ebay attached to a horrible zorki 4 body. the lens, however, is perhaps the sharpest i own and excellent in other regards,as well. here are a couple of shots:

http://vukfoto.com/i.php?g=1&p=2&i=1...BW004902-diner

http://vukfoto.com/i.php?g=1&p=2&i=2...W010905-eatonC

note the great bokeh in #2.

...and then there is this one:

sharper than a feather blade!

3-4 shaves!!! i am using the whole little thingy for just 1 shave, though, i confess, 2 would be possible, but with a lot of messing about wrapping it up, etc.

cheers,
v.

p.s. shaved with GFT coconut tonight ;-)

Sorry for the thread jack here - this will be my last "off topic" post in this thread. Having said that..

Very nice shots! And you are (IMHO) justified in breaking out the B word regarding the second link - quite stunning from the middle distance on, just melts into soft gooey goodness.. especially with the contrasting razor sharpness of the foreground. A great shot.
I've not used a jupiter 8 personally - but have heard good things about them, and the photos don't lie. It's funny you mention the Zorki 4, the Industar 61 L/D's have the same habit of coming equipped with an over-sized rear lens cap (aka a Fed-5) but, while you may need to go through 3 or 4 L/D 61's (and rear lens caps) to find the diamond, they only go for about $30 all in, and once you do find "The One" nothing short of a true friend in need will make you part (even then, with some remorse), and may even make you question the cost of your namesake, and it's brethren. But of course, YMMV.

-s

**kingfisher** · 10-05-2011, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by noctilux

thanks chaps! i really didn't think anyone was reading!

if someone really wants the rose, please let me know and there is a mini-quick-PIF in the making. that said, if this is the rose to totally change my mind about rose, i would like to know.

v.

I'd love to try the rose cream, if you really don't want it. Send me a PM if you decide to PIF it. Thanks.

**noctilux** · 10-05-2011, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by bcs89

while you may need to go through 3 or 4 L/D 61's (and rear lens caps) to find the diamond, they only go for about $30 all in, and once you do find "The One" nothing short of a true friend in need will make you part (even then, with some remorse), and may even make you question the cost of your namesake, and it's brethren. But of course, YMMV.

yes, less than half the cost of a leica rear lens cap ;-) btw--i don't actually own a noctilux lens, but i do have others. thanks for nice words about the pics.

Originally Posted by kingfisher

I'd love to try the rose cream, if you really don't want it. Send me a PM if you decide to PIF it. Thanks.

PM sent!

v.

**Gordy2** · 10-05-2011, 07:16 PM

I wanted to try TH and read several different reviews on them at other locations. I ended up getting the 1805 soap and Trafalgar balm. I do like them both very much but would like to try their Spanish Leather aftershave. I heard it's great but a killer on the budget at $75.

O.T. I wanted to get at least 1 Leica camera in my life but did not want to sell all my Canon gear to get it and a few Leica lenses so I picked up a D-Lux4 and called it mission accomplished :)

**noctilux** · 10-09-2011, 09:07 PM

chaps.

memories of the grafton keep calling me. i am going to have to place an order.

v.

**gegarrenton** · 10-25-2011, 01:31 PM

Alright, to bump a slightly old thread, I am working through a T&H sampler now myself. Been a TOBS and Trumper fan for basically my whole career now, never really had the impulse to check much T&H, but figured I'd give the sampler a go.

Today -1805. Yikes. Not a fan. Was outwardly angry by 10 30 that i had teh stuff on my face.

Well, that's an exaggeration, but I was fired up.

Smells like perfume, not my style.

The pre shave oil was great this am though, I will prob buy some of that. The cream was pretty good, performed like any top end cream should. Could take the smell or leave it. A big downer was prob the ASB, cause I really don't like ASB's. My skin has been horribly oily all day. A light moisturizer like the GFT skin food's are generally what I need for my skin.

Tomorrow will give Trafalgar a go. Optimistic, but smelling the cologne I got a whiff of mouthwash smell!