Even if a bit late, i discovered that the barbers' association website from which i made an order, has a sort of mini blog, where they made some cream and soap reviews. They also make comments in many individual items they sell, but in this one they have concentrated opinions with rankings. I thought they might interest you, since they are made by "real barbers". So they have 2 "blog pages" on "how to choose", for their aspiring customers. You can use google translator to read the entire reviews, if you wish, the links are: Link 1 Link 2 Note: The higher the price, the better (10 means it's cheaper). Quality is always to be understood as "Quality of shaving". Foam is to be understood as how much lather they generate. - Osma Tradition Price: 7.5/10 Fragrance: 9 Foam: 10 Fragrance persistence after shaving: 8.5 Quality of Shaving: 9 - Osma Au Cristal D' Alum Price: 8 Fragrance: 7 Foam: 10 Persistence: 6 Quality of Shaving: 8 - Cella almond soap 150ml Price: 9 Fragrance: 7 (not an almond lover) Foam: 8 Persistence: 9 Quality: 8 - Pinaud Clubman Price: 7 Fragrance: 9 Foam: 7 Persistence: 9 Quality of Shaving: 8 - Omega Eucalyptus cream in Tub 150g Price: 8 Fragrance: 4.5 Foam: 7 Persistence: 7 Quality of shaving: 7 - Derby solid soap in tub 140g or stick 75g Price: 9 Fragrance: 9 Foam: 8 Persistence: 5 Quality of shaving: 7 - Derby shaving cream in tube 100g Price: 9 Fragrance 6.5 Foam: 7 Persistence: 5 Quality of shaving: 7 - Lucky Tiger liquid cream 150ml Price: 7 Fragrance: 9 Foam: 9.5 Persistence: 7 Quality of shaving: 9 - Proraso Red tub Price: 10 Fragrance: 7.5 Foam: 8.5 Persistence: 6.5 Quality: 8 - Proraso White tub Price: 10 Fragrance: 6 Foam: 8.5 Persistence: 6 Quality: 7.5 - Proraso Green tub Price: 10 Fragrance: 8 Foam: 8.5 Persistence: 6.5 Qualiy: 8 - Proraso Cream in tube: Price: 10 Fragrance: 7.5 Foam: 7.5 Persistence: 7 Quality: 8 - Omega Via Barberia - Fructi delicate shaving cream Price: 7.5 Fragrance: 10 Foam: 8 Persistence: 8 Quality: 9 - Omega Via Barberia - Herbae Delicate shaving cream Price: 7.5 Fragrance: 6.5 Foam: 8 Persistence: 8 Quality: 9 - Omega Via Barberia - Aquae shaving cream Price: 7 Fragrance: 7 Foam: 8 Persistence: 8 Quality: 9 - Arko Stick 75g Price: 9 Fragrance: 8 Foam: 8 Persistence: 6.5 Quality: 7 - Arko Shaving Cream in Tube Maximum Comfort Price: 9 Fragrance: 5 Foam: 8 Persistence: 6 Quality: 7
I agree with you on everything. Especially about the prices on the Arko, Derby, and Proraso products.
These reviews seem to be pretty similar across the board but I expected higher ratings for Arko and lower ratings for some of the others. I've never used Arko but it has a huge following on the forums. I'm personally a big fan of Proraso and I would've given red and white much higher ratings.