For my first foray into Stirling products, this is the order I placed at Top of the Chain up here in Canada: Soap samples: Vanilla Sandlewood Almond Creme Gin & Tonic Lemon Chill Piacenzo Pharoah's Creamsicle Arkadia Sandpiper Deep Blue Sea Baker Street Aftershave samples: Stirling Spice Agar And a bottle of unscented menthol Aftershave Balm I'm a pretty old guy in my late 60's but feel like a kid getting all this stuff that I can't wait to try and already have 10 or 12 more picked out for another order in a couple months!
Well in the last ten days I’ve have five shaves. I’m getting the hang of things faster than I expected. Quite a few little weepers and general rough feeling afterwards for the first four, but today went almost as well as a right handed shave........albeit slower and less enjoyable. My scent choices so far were Haverford twice, Mountain Man, Executive Man, and today being “date night” was DETON-8. Matching splashes each time, and a modest dog of Spice Bomb too for this evening. Ironically my wife has been fighting that bug going around and her sinuses are plugged up. At least I know how great I smelled. Hardware has been the forgiving 34C for the last three shaves, and a different brush every day............my Simpson Best Commodore X2 tonight. I’m making it work, but I’m really looking forward to getting my right paw back in the game.
You have great taste, sir! I've used 6 of them. Here they are in order of preference, though honestly, they're all winners: Baker Street Arkadia Sandpiper Piacenza Vanilla Sandalwood Pharaoh's Dreamsicle The last three could change on a minute by minute basis. First three? Set in stone
Mad props for getting it done with the left, sir! And Great scent choices. And here's to a speedy and complete recovery.
Went through the order list again. Guess I forgot I also ordered samples of Ozark Mountains and Mountain Man, so definitely got plenty to go thru and find favs!
Y'know, I don't mean to shock you Tim but I've read some of your Stoylin reviews. That settles it...you're a fan .
I followed up on Doc Ezlovan's invitation to watch some videos...saw one where the man was shaving with Barbershop soap. He just kept talking left and right throughout the whole thing. I agree you want good commentary in these videoes, but...well, I'll just say, how he avoided spreading some soap into his mouth is beyond me.
It's not a life or death situation but I wonder if you guys could sort out for me some seemingly similar Stirling soap scents? Are they close to each other, or not at all? Which do you prefer and why? Which ones are must haves? Deep Blue Sea, Stirling Blu, and Stirling for Him (blue aquatic scents) Piacenza, Arkadia, Tsuka (blood on steel), Satsuma, and Ramblin' Man (orange/citrusy scents) Sandpiper and Bergamot & Lavender Gin & Tonic and Margaritas in the Arctic Ozark Mountain, Coniferous, and Christmas Eve (pine type scents) I prob have too much time on my hands over thinking all this. Maybe you can help save me a few bucks and rule out a few.
I can't help you too much on the others, but these two I have a little experience. Bergamot and Lavender is just that...a nice citrus and lavender. It is a really nice scent (especially in the spring or summer) While Sandpiper does have citrus and lavender in it...to me at least...it comes away with more earthiness and more spiciness (from spices not heat). Sandpiper is a really nice scent as well. Hope others can help you out...as I am sure they can.
Here are my opinions.... Deep Blue Sea - great classy, fresh, not overpowering, get it Stirling Blu - limited to on hand only, I prefer Stirling for Him (#2 on my list) - also limited Piacenza - must have Arkadia - I did not like, it seemed to remind me of a heavily perfumed woman in an elevator Tsuka (blood on steel) - My absolute fave - I hoarded it Satsuma - a great and lasting orangey citrus, I like it Ramblin' Man - did not make the cut, I found a wood-like smell in there I didn’t like. Sandpiper - must have Bergamot & Lavender - really nice, not one of my leaders. Gin & Tonic and Margaritas in the Arctic - not offended by either, just too many I liked more Ozark Mountain, Coniferous, and Christmas Eve (pine type scents) - not a super evergreen fan for aftershave, but the next tub of mutton tallow soap will be Scots Pine Sheep. I've never gotten a better lather than from Stirling mutton tallow soaps. I have the unscented, which is more a "has its own scent" that is troublesome for some. I suggest sample sizes if available. I bought full size of Ramblin Man before trying and wound up giving it away. AND, to prove that my opinions are not universal, the recipient loves it. Dont think I recall anyone not liking Sandpiper, Piacenza or Deep Blue Sea.
Very well put together, Mr. Cawtuh. Wanted to ask you what you didn't like about Ramblin Man. I mean...was the wood more like forest wood or lumber-type(to your nose)?
I did Ramblin Man this week-end(yesterday and today). Raffle-day shave came out better than that of yesterday. Next soap&A.S. combo-Spice.
I really cannot remember exactly, probably a milled wood. I just recall that there are soooo many other flavors I like better that it seemed foolish to keep items just to get them used up, if there was a possibility someone else would like it.
Thanks so much Edison (and dangerousdon). Exactly the kind of synopsis I was looking for! A few other opinions wouldn't hurt either. I know everyone has slightly different tastes, but I've read enough of your posts Edison to respect your opinion. I border on OCDing stuff like this, so I too want to avoid thinking I have to buy every single one (even if only samples) and their matching A/S/ I've already got stuff from a few other companies. and well, the wife would do something ungodly to me if I spent hundreds and hundreds of moolah in too short of time span. Anyway, much appreciated.
Uh..... I don't think that The Lovely Mrs Headroom knows how much I spent to save money on shaving costs.