AOS in KC. A very short visit.

**Alphonse** · 08-26-2012, 08:21 PM

random story..

On my way to lunch at Fogo de Chao on the Plaza in Kansas City(my new favorite restaurant), I walked by the Art of Shaving store and decided to stop in. I didn't know it existed. I went in and was greeted by a quite old, but very nice guy that wanted to assist me. He was being watched by his manager, a nicely maintained woman...
I started to peruse the store and asked about some of the $50 soap in a bowl.. eh.. who are they fooling?? Apparently a lot of people. Anyway, I had to probe them to see what they knew. Guess what? They didn't know much about shaving!! .. atleast compared to what someone who actually shaves with passion knows.. I shave with a passion!

Anyway, I asked to see their razors and was shown a great assortment of DE's.. and there was a Progress in there! So, I then asked to see their blade selection.. and I was shown a box of Merkur blades, the only blades they carried. And the store is called.. what? "ART OF SHAVING".. So much for art. I could end the story there and you would get the idea. I was told they were very competitive on blade prices, only $6 for 5 blades(merkur blades). I understand the price, not the selection. What, sell me a nice razor and no blades to use?? You'd think they would want to keep me coming back.

The gorgeous woman then showed me their crowning jewel razor, a mach 11 or whatever with a bone handle, and it buzzed. She said it gives the closest shave possible. I then asked how she knew since she didn't shave her face. Actually I didn't - she was pretty. They gave me a sample pack of some pre-shave oil, cream and balm. I must say, I just shaved using the pre-shave and balm and the pre-shave was quite nice.. lots of different oils.. smelled really good. The balm is excellent as well. I did use a Progress and Polsilver so I have to credit that combo the most, but did enjoy the samples. My shave was perfection. Cella was in there as well.

All in all I have to say that I'm grateful for this forum and the real shaving knowledge that exists here. I felt like a shave snob when I was in there, and it was a little strange.

**lt114** · 08-26-2012, 08:46 PM

AoS soaps are top notch. I rate it right there with MdC and vintage Yardley. Definitely skip the bowl though. If you just get the puck, the price is reasonable for the amount of soap you get and the very high quality of the product.

The creams are nice also.

**ImTheGluestick** · 08-26-2012, 09:09 PM

We went into a store looking for blades while on vacation. Never again.

**RichieRich3902** · 08-26-2012, 10:52 PM

Wait we have one on the Plaza, I'll have to stop in this week. Have you been out to The Gents Place in Leawood yet?

**jpipes3** · 08-27-2012, 08:35 AM

I was there last Wednesday for the 2nd time to check out their frags. Both times I have been in there, I definitely left feeling more like the teacher than the student. It's awkward.

RichieRich - I have spent a decent amount of time at The Gents Place. Last time I was in there, I was asking about them getting the new Musgo stuff in and they told me they may be phasing out all of the Musgo stuff because it just doesn't sell as well as the AOS stuff. I hope not. I do like talking to Erin when I'm there, because she actually knows a little bit about some of the products.

**TallyShave** · 08-27-2012, 10:52 AM

Its like deja-vu, all over again.

- Jogi Berra

**breadstick** · 08-27-2012, 11:16 AM

Sadly, I bought my first brush at AOS. It was one of the ones that was included in their travel kit and felt like 4 grit sandpaper on my face. The Sandalwood cream smelled and performed great, but it burned my skin. After I think the herd quite a bit I'll definitely get a puck of their lemon soap.

**Phog Allen** · 08-27-2012, 08:20 PM

Where is this store on the plaza? I know where L'occitane is. Is it close by?

And somebody point me toward The Gents Place. I live west of there in Lawrence.

Cheers, Todd

**RichieRich3902** · 08-27-2012, 10:39 PM

Erin is my favorite, but I always seem to miss her anymore, I usually pop in on Tuesdays for my appointments.

Originally Posted by jpipes3

I was there last Wednesday for the 2nd time to check out their frags. Both times I have been in there, I definitely left feeling more like the teacher than the student. It's awkward.

RichieRich - I have spent a decent amount of time at The Gents Place. Last time I was in there, I was asking about them getting the new Musgo stuff in and they told me they may be phasing out all of the Musgo stuff because it just doesn't sell as well as the AOS stuff. I hope not. I do like talking to Erin when I'm there, because she actually knows a little bit about some of the products.

**RailroadMan** · 08-29-2012, 07:06 PM

Did you see the vibrating brush? It should be in a different kind of specialty store.

**bakerbarber** · 08-29-2012, 08:46 PM

It's across the street from Houston's.

**ImTheGluestick** · 08-30-2012, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by RailroadMan

Did you see the vibrating brush? It should be in a different kind of specialty store.

Have you been into a Brookstone recently? They sell "massagers" that are not even subtly for an alternate use.

**the_edski** · 08-30-2012, 01:45 PM

If AOS actually offered traditional wet-shaving supplies at a decent price, Procter and Gamble wouldn't be their owner....

**Phog Allen** · 09-07-2012, 04:22 PM

Hey lads. Stopped in there today. The young lady I talked to was fairly knowledgeable though she was mostly unaware of our little sub culture here. She did not try to over sell the products and actually knew the different grades of hair in their brushes. Agree about hardware there. A bit too much for brushes and razors. Shaving products ares brilliant though and total class to use. They have a lightweight orange scented moisturiser that was excellent. It was really tough to walk out of there without buying more soap refills. All those soaps just begging to be purchased!

Cheers, Todd