My review of my "Old Spice" style scents

Discussion in 'Scents' started by StormyWeather, Jul 23, 2019.

  1. StormyWeather

    StormyWeather Well-Known Member

    So, I'm a sucker for the smell of Old Spice type cologne. I enjoy the scent, and I've worked my way up to a couple of scents after experimenting. Some people might say "why do you need more than one of the same cologne?" to which I might say "how did you get into my house?"

    Anyway, here's a breakdown of how the following ones compare, to me, left to right.

    [​IMG]

    "New" old spice scent (left most): To me, the "newer" one smells more powdery than the more classic old spice. The sweetness is right, but I get more powdery-ness off it, and the musks are more muted.
    "Older" old spice (second from the left): I received this bottle from my father. He doesn't know how many years he had it it in his closet, but it was still sealed. Definitely has none of the powdery notes of the "newer" scent. It's not overly biting on the nose, has a good sweetness of the amber to musk ratio.
    Stirling Spice (third from the left): While it doesn't have the "powder" elements I'm getting off the newer formula, it lacks a little of that sweetness to musk ratio of the "older" old spice. It's a little more biting on the nose, so the spicy elements are emphasized more for me.
    Aged Spice (Mama Bear Soaps) (last from the left): To me, this smells like a more intense version of Stirling Spice. They're both very similar, but with slightly different intensities. Due to that intensity difference, perhaps even a tad more spicy elements compared to Sterling. Depending on how they were sprayed, I might not be able to tell the difference if sprayed onto a sheet of paper.

    If I had to pick one, based on overall factors, I'd say the Mama Bear's Soaps one wins for me. It's cheaper than the Stirling, and a single spray of it has enough intensity to last me for a longer time. Considering they both smell similar, and are readily available / lack the powderiness of the newer one, I feel Mama Bear is the better buy here.
     
  2. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    You should look at blue spice from lustray 20180915_191856_resized.jpg
     
  3. StormyWeather

    StormyWeather Well-Known Member

    How would you compare it to the ones above?
     
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  4. jimjo1031

    jimjo1031 never bloomed myself

    Of course there are vintage after shaves that are readily available. Brisk Spice and Spicey by Avon, with Brisk Spice being the closest to Shulton Old Spice.
     
  5. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    I might be able to pick that up locally, several shops carry many Pinaud products. Thanks for the tip!
    And for a baseline comparison, how do all these compare to Shulton Old Spice? I do own one of the modern versions of P&G OS but didn't know there were two of them. Once I started finding vintage OS I stopped looking at dupes. Time to pay attention because the vintage won't last forever!
     
  6. StormyWeather

    StormyWeather Well-Known Member

    Don't have a Shulton bottle, unfortunately. Only have these versions, so I can't make a full comparison.
     
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  7. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Unless you are in a hurry or have too much money in your pocket, avoid ebay for Shulton. I've found three or five full or nearly bottles of vintage OS at antique & thrift stores, and flea markets. They sell for $1 -$5 dollars instead of +$25.
     
  8. StormyWeather

    StormyWeather Well-Known Member

    Unfortunately the area I’m in has a lot of hipsters. Which is bad for finding vintage stuff before someone else does, but probably good for anyone selling rare strains of bee pollen.

    Will see if I find one though.
     
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  9. Paul Turner

    Paul Turner outside the quote(s) now

    Interesting commentaries. As I've said, if it isn't from Shulton, I call it "New Spice". That being said, I like the Stoylin version, although I need to negotiate the aftershave a bit until I can get use to the burn. Stoylin's soap version is great(to me, anyway). Comes quite close to the Shulton scent. I might try the Lustray sometime.
     
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  10. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    I sent out on a campaign in my little metro. Visited every antique & thrift store often, asked lots of questions, and left my phone number & name in the Wish List that's viewed by vendors or shop employees. I've slacked off on my AD's the last year but when I visit those shops they know me - That Razor Guy. Still get the occasional call when new stuff shows up!
    I'm with you Paul. The Stirling Spice soap has a great scent & it's a great quality lather for near bargain price. Although Lustray products are made by a division of Pinaud I'm getting the impression they are light on scent upfront & don't last long on the skin. It's aftershave so the purpose is astringent & disinfectant. If Lustray's line is inexpensive like Pinaud, light scented and marketed to Barbers it's still worth a try!
     
  11. StormyWeather

    StormyWeather Well-Known Member

    Enters store.

    "I'm looking for something... particular."

    Escorted out of the building by cops five minutes later.

    "I'm talking about razors. Razors, ok? Not drugs!"
     
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  12. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    I think they all smell like old spice.
    Reminiscent of my granddad, which isn't a bad thing for me. But anyway, i can't smell the difference in any version of old spice i have. And i have several. Here's the kicker, while i think they all smell similar, my wife who dislikes all the old spices, likes the lustray spice. Go figure.
    I iced my blue spice. I like the menthol kick.
     
  13. StormyWeather

    StormyWeather Well-Known Member

    Two additions to my list:

    Barrister and Mann, Reserve Spice: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DD6HSS/?tag=thshde-20

    Smells similar to the "Older" spice bottle, but lacking some sweetness, and emphasis on the cinnamon / spice. A sweeter, definitely less "peppery" smell then the Stirling and Mama bear versions. Less biting on the nose. A very smooth cinnamon almost, but not overpowering, and not overly sweet. Nice balance here. This may be my favorite "version" of old spice so far.

    Old Spice Shaving Cream (Indian version): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/000004458X/?tag=thshde-20

    I didn't get much off this scent wise. Very mild, sweet version of the scent. I get more sweetness than I do spice -- very opposite of the Mama bear and Stirling versions. Very low intensity. To me, this doesn't smell very "old spice" like, at least by my expectations. Little disappointed, but it performed decently shave wise and well for the price point.
     
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  14. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    My shave from Thursday. 20190726_212015_resized.jpg seems the wife liked this version of old spice a little better.
    I haven't researched which this one is. No markings to help identify. Im thinking it was from the 70's or possibly 80's.
    If one of you can say for sure, I'd appreciate the help.
     
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  15. Paul Turner

    Paul Turner outside the quote(s) now

    Enters Macy's...walks up to beautiful clerk.


    "I'm looking for something......particular"/

    Wrestled to the ground and escorted out by security five minutes later.

    (Yells at clerk). "Wait a minute! You couldn't possibly have thought I meant...............O............M............................G!"
     
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  16. SharptoothC

    SharptoothC I bite..........

    Shulton Old Spice has a depth and warmth that I love in cooler weather. It's just MORE Old Spicey than the newer versions. As has been mentioned, I've scored three full bottles in antique stores, ranging from $5-10.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
     
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  17. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Can't be precise in putting a date on it unless you have the box. Between 1973 & 1988. Check HERE for details, about half way down the page.
     
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  18. Paul Turner

    Paul Turner outside the quote(s) now

    Good work-as I've said before, my skin is still trying to "negotiate" the Stoylin Spice soap(although it handles the A.S. of same a little better).
     
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  19. Paul Turner

    Paul Turner outside the quote(s) now

    That's why I have renamed the current ones New Spice. Shulton should have worked harder to keep the ownership, IMO.
     
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  20. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Paul - is the soap causing you some irritation? Barrister & Mann makes both soap and AS. I haven't tried them so don't know how well they lather or smell. I do like the Stirling Spice soap for both the scent and great lather.
     
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