Stirling Barbershop is NOTHING like American Blend. No way to compare the two. The Stirling version is hard to describe, but it has a sweet element - caramel? - that is very different than other barbershop scents. American Blend is a cologne duplication while Stirling Barbershop is an original scent blend (as far as I know).
I have a couple of questions about Stirling. I really like the soap performance and big containers, but have struggled with the scents so far. What I've tried are: - Black Ice - This was a gift from my wife and my introduction to Stirling. I loved the cold sensation (I love menthol) but didn't love the black licorice scent and ended up trading it when it was about half way gone. - Sandalwood Vanilla - I got the sample size of this and found it too vanilla and not enough sandalwood (my wife really liked it; but she likes anything vanilla). - Barbershop - I generally love barbershop scents, but found this one to be a little sweet (carmel or vanilla?and powdery. I can see the appeal for some, but it wasn't what I was hoping for with "Barbershop" (my favorite barbershop is WSP for comparison) - Clubman - I received this in a giveaway and ended up sending it along to someone else. As the person who sent it to me said, good Stirling performance, but it doesn't smell anything like Pinaud Clubman. I also tried some scents in the bath soaps: - Eucalyptus Mint - Nice scent and I could buy this as shave soap (would be nice if menthol was an option) - Executive Man - The scent was non-existent; it actually smelled like unscented soap base to the point I wonder if it was mislabeled. - Sharp Dressed Man - I liked this but again found the scent to be fairly weak/non-existent (like Executive Man). This really disappointed me because I was hoping to get a good feel for this take on Green Irish Tweed. I also gifted someone Texas on Fire (he asked for it). I had to smell it before I wrapped it up and all I can say is wow--that's unique. So here are my questions: - Are bath soaps scented less than shave soap? Stirling shave soaps I've tried had a nice strong scent, but the bath soaps were weak so maybe not a good indicator of what the shave soaps smell like? - How close is Piacenza to other Parma inspired scents? By comparison, I really like the way Razorock XXX smells. - Sandalwood is always a bit subjective. I love Art of Shaving sandalwood, but not Taylor of Old Bond Street (smells kind of floral to me). Can anyone tell me where Stirling Sandalwood falls between those? - With my preference for menthol, how are the glacial scents? Does the menthol overpower the underlying scents (I'm thinking of Eskimo Tuxedo, but if it mostly smells like menthol, then I'd probably prefer Wintergreen or Spearmint)? - Is there anything from Stirling that would be in same scent family as Pre de Provence #63? I'm not necessarily looking for a 63 knock off (because I find that soap to be a fantastic performer), but it's an example of scent types I enjoy (I believe PdP 63 has citrus, cedarwood, leather, tobacco, and a little violet and plum). I really like Stirling performance but just haven't had luck with the scents so far. I realize I could go buy a bunch of samples which I'll probably do, but am hoping that you all can point me in the right direction before I throw a few more darts. Also--sorry if I'm asking questions that are already in the thread. I'm new on this forum and there are almost 300 pages of discussion here to catch up on. Thanks!
Regarding Barbershop, I have the shave soap, and use it with Clubman Original A.S. . I find it to be a nice combination. On bath soaps, I like using them as regular hand-soaps at my sink. For Glacials, I currently have Wintergreen and like it a lot. You're right to wonder about overpowering of underlying scents, which I'm anxious about as I'm about to get sent a Lemony Orange. I've been very happy with my Stirling products.
I find the bath soaps lower in scent, but that is OK for me. I used Lever 2000 since it came out. When manufacture moved to Mexico I started finding it harder to lather. I am happy with Stirling, but it does cost more. Expected for a hand made artisan soap.
Welcome to the group. Stirling soaps are generally not considered mild in scent strength. I have found, and have read often, that samples, if left to sit for a long time, will weaken fairly rapidly in strength. I have not found this to be the case with the full sized bath bars, though. Were these weaker scents, samples, and did you get them from Stirling, or BST? I find the bath soaps to be solid in scent strength. The Glacial citrus scents let the menthol come out more. You might be best off trying a mint, if you want it to be less noticeable. I agree with you that the Vanilla Sandalwood is too “Vanilla-y”. You really should try the Sandalwood. Much more like AOS on the spectrum than TOBS. TOBS is super misleading, because Sandalwood is like one ingredient towards the bottom of the base note list, and even they call it a Fougere in the scent description. Stirling is woody, truly excellent. Like sanding on balsa wood, only darker. The closest thing I have to PdP63 is Agar, which is an oud. Similar spicy, Agar is darker. I love it. I do not have a lot of experience with other Parma scents, but Piacenza is an utter favorite. I haven’t smelled XXX in some years, but they are similar. PIA is just ten times better soap. You have tried some outliers in Texas of Fire, Black Ice etc.... Rod has some very unique, love them or hate them scents. Samples are always they way to go with some of them. You can get an idea from the descriptions. Even though some of them have a large cult following, they still aren’t for everyone. Some soaps that seem to be polarizing: -Electric Sheep: SERIOUS citronella. I love it. -Texas on Fire: Reminds me of a tire fire at a keg party. Not for me. -Black Ice: My daughter says I smell like I should be driving a windowless van around. I love it anyway. -Ben Franklin: Root beer, clovey, Bay Rum-ish. I love it. My wife does not. Powerhouse strength scents: -Bay Rum -Ozark Mountain -Glastonbury Strong: -Sandalwood -Port au Prince (Personal all time favorite) It’s too bad you had a go with some weak scents. That is not a typical Stirling trait. I really do recommend samples though, as you feel your way around the site.
I don't have a whole lot it experience with the glacials but I can tell you that Lemony Orange had a strong menthol presence off the puck that fades a bit once it's lathered. Glacial Black Cherry smells like a cherry Halls cough drop off the puck, I haven't shaved with this one yet. With Iced Pineapple the menthol is completely masked by the pineapple, it's not a Glacial but it still packs enough menthol to make your face numb. When I first got Executive Man I thought the scent was light, but now that I'm down into the puck a little I find it much stronger. Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk
I think it is a good point that the menthol fades a bit, and the soap scents come out once the lathering starts. Another thing I didn’t mention, is I have been told that when people have a weaker sample or puck, mashing it into a container really helps bring the scent out. I also have noticed that bath bars kept in a plastic case in my Dopp bag stay stronger than those sitting on a soap tray in my shower.
I agree with Linuxguile about Iced Pineapple. To me it is very cold but you cannot smell any menthol in the soap - just delicious pineapple that to me is so real smelling I could eat it. It is fantastic. Also agree about Executive Man (don't know how close it is to Creed Aventus and don't care) - another of my favorite soap scents period. If you like the smell of pineapple - you might consider either of these.
That is the Wacker Chevelier, 6/8 full hollow extreme French tip in Blonde Horn A thread of SD users showing Heir Wacker straights with some info- https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/show-your-heribert-wacker-razors.59860/ Best, John
It was going to be a Stirling Saturday for me, so I had my daughter pick the scent; she chose Baker Street:
I had to re-read what he said about Xecutive Man and Sharp Dressed Man-he was referring to the bath soaps only, is my understanding.
All I know is you work up a sweat making a lather on the South of the Border stuff. Got 2 bars left, hate to just give them the toss, but I'm thinking about it. Was 2000 deodorant? The package doesn't say so now, if that is what you are referring to.
