advice for next purchase

Well, I'm starting to run out of my Taylor avocado cream, the only cream/soap I've ever used (I guess I've tried Williams soap but I couldn't really get a lather going). I want to pick up a couple more creams and a different a/s (I've been using Nivea). I'm also interested in giving soaps a try, I'll probably get some mama bear soap just to see what all the fuss is about. My quest for advice: is there a place where can I get all this stuff (minus the mama bear soap) to save on shipping. Also, and probably more importantly, what creams and aftershaves would you recommend? I think I want to get some more Taylor avocado because I seem to like it and then I would have something to compare to. Other than that, I am totally lost, especially when it comes to aftershaves. Help!

If it helps at all, I use a Merkur HD with an EJ medium Superbadger brush.

Mama Bear Soaps are very popular as are QED soaps. If you are a fan of Taylor's Avocado you may want to look into Mitchell's Wool Fat, they are both known for their excellent slickness and moisturizing capacities.

Okay, 2 places to shop are QED http://www.qedusa.com/ and classicshaving http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html

I'd try a T&H cream, and maybe a Vulfix or Trumper cream. For soaps, try Tabac, T&H, Taylor's, and QEDman (as well as Mama Bear.) For aftershave, go for some Pinaud, and get some Aqua Velva at your local stores.

OH, and try here too: http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/index.html and be sure to try the Floris and Harris soaps, and any of the creams offered.

I could go on all night, but that's a good place to start!

Doc4 said:

Okay, 2 places to shop are QED http://www.qedusa.com/ and classicshaving http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html

I'd try a T&H cream, and maybe a Vulfix or Trumper cream. For soaps, try Tabac, T&H, Taylor's, and QEDman (as well as Mama Bear.) For aftershave, go for some Pinaud, and get some Aqua Velva at your local stores.

OH, and try here too: http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/index.html and be sure to try the Floris and Harris soaps, and any of the creams offered.

I could go on all night, but that's a good place to start!

Click to expand...

All great recommendations.

QED has a very good selection and, while the webside is just awful, Charles (the owner) is a pleasure to deal with and will respond to you almost immediately - he'll also help you pick products to suit your tastes and doesn't oversell. His soaps are great - the shave sticks are particularly popular - and he stocks a great range.

Vintage Blades also has a nice selection and Ray is also a pleasure to deal with.

Classic has a huge selection as well.

I'd also consider Trumpers cream or soaps.

Mamma Bear has a whole slew of soaps to chose from. It's almost overwhelming. They're very reasonable too!


==Tom

I love my Mama Bear Green Irish Tweed Style soap, and am also a big user of the Nancy Boy Signature Cream, which I like a lot.

The big difference in lathering the soap versus cream is with my soap, I start the brush 'wrung-out' -- i.e., after soaking, squeeze most of the water out, then build the lather by adding small amounts of water to my bowl. With a cream, I give the brush a quick shake (so it's still holding quite a bit of water) and build the lather from there. The links on here and at Mama Bear explain the soap lathering process very well.

Proraso and Floris, 'nuff said!.....or maybe some Crabtree & Evelyn and Col. Conk....or maybe some Kiss My Face and Talyor's St. James....or maybe some Taylor's Eton College and Nancy Boy...or maybe......

The stores pointed out by Ian and Chris are excellent places to shop. Also, be sure to check out the Shopping Links thread in the Shopping Forum.

Two mall stores to check out: Body Shop and Crabtree & Evelyn - they'll usually give free samples of shaving cream so you can try out the scent and performance before you buy.

I second the recommendation for Taylor's St. James cream... I also like the Proraso and Musgo Real ASBs...

DR Harris Shave Soaps or likewise Truefitt & Hill Luxury Shave soap