I've seen AOS Sandalwood thrown around as one of the best soaps many members have used. I'm wondering if it is really that good at $30 for a refill puck. I can get a D.R. Harris in a wooden bowl for the same price. I've used Harris, THE FAT, Tabac and Stirling; I love all of these. Is AOS worth it?
Is AOS Sandalwood That Good?
- Thread starter mightyeskimo
- Start date
It's a good soap, but smells like clay and is not any better than D.R. Harris.
Exactly how I feel.
- Thread starter
- #4
That's what I'm afraid of. My first hard soap was Harris. I experienced a nice wow factor when trying THE FAT and Tabac so I would like my next soap to be a similar experience. Especially at $30 per puck.
I like it and I love the scent. Now I have never had the pleasure of trying another sandalwood so take that into consideration.
usually i can find aos sandalwood soap pucks for under 30$, including USA shipping.
it's a couple $ more than DR Harris.
But AOS sandalwood scent is exceptional.
I also like DRH Arlington, Lavender, Almond pucks.
This is a hobby for me, not a utility cost.
it's a couple $ more than DR Harris.
But AOS sandalwood scent is exceptional.
I also like DRH Arlington, Lavender, Almond pucks.
This is a hobby for me, not a utility cost.
I agree, but I've only used the tallow-first AoS.
What you get now is the new formula, so none of the "clay" smell. I am just finishing a puck in the 3017 thread, and have been very pleasantly surprised, as I am an unabashed fan of AOS Tallow and DR Harris. If you want the Sandalwood, and can pick one up on sale, I think you'll be happy.
I haven't tried anything AOS yet, so I can't testify to they're scents. But if it's sandalwood soap your after, Crabtree and Evelyn has a sandalwood soap that's pretty awesome, and the refill is only $9. Hard to beat that. Although not having tried any other sandalwood products, this stuff could be crap as I have no benchmark 
I received one of the pump-containers of AOS Sandalwood cream in a trade with a fellow member, and I think its a very good performer with a great scent. Honestly, Proraso Red is my favorite sandalwood scent, but AOS is pretty nice. I can't comment on the hard soap, but I think the cream is very nice. Also, I don't know what the price tag is new - so I'm not sure if I'd choose it over a tube of Proraso, but I'd choose it over a few of the other sandalwood scents I've tried.
I bought up 3 pucks when the whole tallow discontinuation scare was going around and it is a good soap but IMHO not any better than Tabac or Harris. Having gone through a puck and a half I wouldn't buy more but I will probably keep that last one around for a while just to say I have some. And as far as scent goes I would forget the soap and go with AOS sandalwood cream...that must be what heaven is going to smell like.
I have been using AoS's sandalwood (new formula) soap for a while now and I think its a great soap. The scent is very nice and has none of the clay smell of the previous version. I would say its easier to lather than DRH but might be a little more drying.
I have the cream..best sandalwood scent I have experienced...great performer too.
I am relatively new to the wet shaving game, but all I've used is AOS sandalwood soap and cream (much more often, the soap). To me, there is barely a scent left to my puck after a couple of months, but I have no complaints about the thick, slick lather I am able to generate every time. The cream has more scent, but I think that's because it's contained in a screw-top jar. However, I will never ever spend $30 on a puck of soap again. I think all of AOS's products are vastly overpriced.
Even as a newb realizing this wont be as cheap as I had planned, I'll NEVER pay 30 dollars for a soap! I guess that means I'll miss out on AOS stuff, but I'd rather buy 15 Stirling samples for that price.
