Taylor of Old Bond Street ST James Shaving Cream Bowl 150g

I am not sure how I originally came upon this shaving cream but I have been using it now for at least five years and, although I think I should try something else from time-to-time, I never do because I can’t imagine any other shaving cream giving me a better shave. I may be somewhat influenced in my positivity because my long time partner of 45 years (I am myself 78 years old and she is a few years younger) just loves the smell of it (and me, I might add). She always seems to comment after I have spent some time in our bathroom shaving. I have become convinced that this Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Cream, Sandalwood is really something of an aphrodisiac. A creamy, rich, luxurious shave that satisfies my obsessive need for an exceptionally clean and smooth ... MoreI am not sure how I originally came upon this shaving cream but I have been using it now for at least five years and, although I think I should try something else from time-to-time, I never do because I can’t imagine any other shaving cream giving me a better shave. I may be somewhat influenced in my positivity because my long time partner of 45 years (I am myself 78 years old and she is a few years younger) just loves the smell of it (and me, I might add). She always seems to comment after I have spent some time in our bathroom shaving. I have become convinced that this Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Cream, Sandalwood is really something of an aphrodisiac. A creamy, rich, luxurious shave that satisfies my obsessive need for an exceptionally clean and smooth shave and, in addition, also makes my life so much richer whether I/we are in our city condominium or at our country home.

A different shaving cream experience.

I gave up shaving foam from a can for brush-applied shaving cream more than ten years ago. Wet shaving even with Harry's cartridges much improved the experience. The Art Of Shaving supplied my cream and, early on, I would whip it to a lather in a bowl. Then, once without my bowl along on a business trip, I applied it directly to wet brush bristles and swirled it into a lather on my beard. I've used that method for several years now and found it to be efficient and satisfying. Taylor of Od Bond Street, of necessity due to its paste-like consistency, introduced me to a third technique. I scoop a small dab from the tub and use my fingers to massage it into my damp beard until it becomes slightly foamy. Only then do I use my wet (not dripping wet) brush to swirl into a ... MoreI gave up shaving foam from a can for brush-applied shaving cream more than ten years ago. Wet shaving even with Harry's cartridges much improved the experience. The Art Of Shaving supplied my cream and, early on, I would whip it to a lather in a bowl. Then, once without my bowl along on a business trip, I applied it directly to wet brush bristles and swirled it into a lather on my beard. I've used that method for several years now and found it to be efficient and satisfying. Taylor of Od Bond Street, of necessity due to its paste-like consistency, introduced me to a third technique. I scoop a small dab from the tub and use my fingers to massage it into my damp beard until it becomes slightly foamy. Only then do I use my wet (not dripping wet) brush to swirl into a satisfying, thick lather. The brush picks up enough lather for two subsequent passes with my safety razor. Taylor's sandalwood scent is very much more aromatic than the Art of Shaving version. Candidly, it took me a little getting used to and I may give the Eton scent a try on my next Taylor's of Old Bond Street purchase. But purchase this product again, I shall. This cream offers up a superior, thick lather and makes The Art of Shaving cream's foam seem more like the canned stuff, although even that is considerably richer and more satisfying than the aerosol stuff.

Best of the best

I have very sensitive skin, prone to nicks and cuts; this is far and away the best shaving cream I’ve ever used. Paired with a badger brush and a safety razor, I rarely get cut even while using a Feather blade. All due respect to Art of Shaving, their shaving cream doesn’t give half the lubrication or protection this stuff does. I’ve used their products for at least 15 years and was really surprised to find something better.I wouldn’t describe the scent as sandalwood as much as cedar and rose petals, very pleasant, masculine and barber shop. I won’t be buying any other shaving creams except this one.

Excellent for those new to the joy of Wet Shaving

I've been using my double edge safety razor (1957 Gillette Fat Boy) for about 5 years now, and I've loved it. Just recently decided to go all in and get a shaving brush and a good quality shaving cream. I'm so glad I followed the online recommendations and gave Taylor of Old Bond Street a try. It's like a totally new and enjoyable experience compared to my foam free cream from a tube. The other stuff works well enough, but getting a nice lather with the excellent sandalwood smell is like nothing else. The shave is smoother, my skin feels more supple, and it's actually a joy to shave. I intentionally tried it with a blade that already had a few shaves on it to see if I could see a difference. This blade functioned as if it was new and I got a closer shave than ... MoreI've been using my double edge safety razor (1957 Gillette Fat Boy) for about 5 years now, and I've loved it. Just recently decided to go all in and get a shaving brush and a good quality shaving cream. I'm so glad I followed the online recommendations and gave Taylor of Old Bond Street a try. It's like a totally new and enjoyable experience compared to my foam free cream from a tube. The other stuff works well enough, but getting a nice lather with the excellent sandalwood smell is like nothing else. The shave is smoother, my skin feels more supple, and it's actually a joy to shave. I intentionally tried it with a blade that already had a few shaves on it to see if I could see a difference. This blade functioned as if it was new and I got a closer shave than before. Also, the razor did not clog. Anyway, Bottom line, this is the shave cream you're looking for. It's excellent.

It will do the trick

I don't care for the scent of this product. It is personal scent memories that truly keep me from enjoying it. However, MANY other people love this scent, so that's on me.The lather is good. I wouldn't say it's amazing, and compared to some other products I have that are similarly priced, I would say this is a second. But the slickness is adequate, the cushion is adequate and protection is adequate. But WCS sells other products that I would recommend before this one.

Luxurious indulgence with a subtle scent

The review title just about sums up this shaving cream. The scent is very pleasant without being overpowering. The only slight gripe I have with this shaving cream is that, for me, it didn't lather up as well as it should have so I had to use more cream in my lathering bowl in order to get an acceptable lather. However, this may be due to the fact that I live in a very hard water area - I have noticed that I have the same issue with other brands of shaving soaps/creams. The razor glides nicely through the bristle leading to a satisfying shave. Apart from the lathering issue I'm very happy with this product.

Nostalgic Scent, Great Shave!

As someone new to wet shaving, I decided to get a cream as opposed to a soap, due to lack of experience. This was what I bought. After a shave with it, I can say that it definitely beats using Barbasol like I used to! It was a tad tough to lather, but I'm chalking that up simply to lack of technique, as once I found a decent balance of water and cream, it was much better. It'll take some practice, I'm sure, but it wasn't bad for a first time.I had no adverse experiences with it after my shave, either. No skin irritation, no reactions, nothing of the sort. Just a nice, clean shave.One comment I can make about it is, at least for me, it's pretty nostalgic. I went to a barber shop for many years growing up, and the scent of this reminds me entirely of those days, ... MoreAs someone new to wet shaving, I decided to get a cream as opposed to a soap, due to lack of experience. This was what I bought. After a shave with it, I can say that it definitely beats using Barbasol like I used to! It was a tad tough to lather, but I'm chalking that up simply to lack of technique, as once I found a decent balance of water and cream, it was much better. It'll take some practice, I'm sure, but it wasn't bad for a first time.I had no adverse experiences with it after my shave, either. No skin irritation, no reactions, nothing of the sort. Just a nice, clean shave.One comment I can make about it is, at least for me, it's pretty nostalgic. I went to a barber shop for many years growing up, and the scent of this reminds me entirely of those days, down to the last detail. I don't know if this is the cream they used back then, but if not, it's extremely similar! So that's an added bonus, in my book anyway.Overall, I'd say it's pretty great!

Premium quality at a great price

TOBS is the best shaving cream I’ve tried to date. As an ingrown hair-a-phobe, I’ve avoided canned spray creams. I had settled on The Art of Shaving. Though expensive, it is high quality and can be found for a little cheaper than their website price with some online hunting. However, a recent price increase sent me looking for other options. Since I do like lavender scent and antiseptic qualities, I thought I’d try TOBS lavender shaving cream if only on reputation. I was pleasantly surprised. It lathers quickly and plentifully in a bowl. It provides wonderful lubrication and rinses off easily and thoroughly. It seems to go a bit further for my 2 to 3 pass routine than the same amount of other creams I’ve tried including AOS lavender scent thus increasing its value ... MoreTOBS is the best shaving cream I’ve tried to date. As an ingrown hair-a-phobe, I’ve avoided canned spray creams. I had settled on The Art of Shaving. Though expensive, it is high quality and can be found for a little cheaper than their website price with some online hunting. However, a recent price increase sent me looking for other options. Since I do like lavender scent and antiseptic qualities, I thought I’d try TOBS lavender shaving cream if only on reputation. I was pleasantly surprised. It lathers quickly and plentifully in a bowl. It provides wonderful lubrication and rinses off easily and thoroughly. It seems to go a bit further for my 2 to 3 pass routine than the same amount of other creams I’ve tried including AOS lavender scent thus increasing its value even further than he price per ounce would indicate. The odd purple color does not survive the lathering process. I’m hooked at this price point. I’ll probably try other scents including the one for sensitive skin at some point.

Smoothest shave imagineable.

This stuff is simply amazing. Not only does it have the great barbershop-inspired sandalwood scent but it also provides the best feeling shave. If you shave with a hand razor then you should definitely give this a try. Now it should be noted, I have a light beard so I cannot comment on how this works on someone with a heavy beard but I could imagine it would be better than virtually anything else you may have tried.

The Gateway Soap

Great soap and in my regular rotation. I have found that there are about three tiers of soap performance. The first tier gets the job done but suffers heavily from water hardness, temperature, amount of lather prep, and lathering skill. The second tier is not overly affected by these same "less than optimal" conditions. The vast majority of my soaps fall into this category which is just fine by me. This soap however certainly falls into tier three. I would say that is this is in large part because it is a cream, and thus really hard to lather incorrectly. One of the most important factors for me is SCENT, and this soap does not disappoint. While it is not my favorite Sandalwood iteration, it SUPER easy to use which makes it a regular go-to. While this particular ... MoreGreat soap and in my regular rotation. I have found that there are about three tiers of soap performance. The first tier gets the job done but suffers heavily from water hardness, temperature, amount of lather prep, and lathering skill. The second tier is not overly affected by these same "less than optimal" conditions. The vast majority of my soaps fall into this category which is just fine by me. This soap however certainly falls into tier three. I would say that is this is in large part because it is a cream, and thus really hard to lather incorrectly. One of the most important factors for me is SCENT, and this soap does not disappoint. While it is not my favorite Sandalwood iteration, it SUPER easy to use which makes it a regular go-to. While this particular Sandalwood is on the more "feminine side" with the fougere note, it is still doable. For reference I tend toward the following scents: Sandalwood, Oud, Tabacco, Incense, Coffee, Leather, Juniper, Cedar, Lime, Orange, Bergamot, and "Barbershop".