Friday August 25 - Actually Adjustable, All-Sample August
Prep: cold water face wash with MdC handsoap
Razor: Gillette SA-174 on "4" / Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus ( 1)
Brush: Simpsons Chubby 2 Synthetic
Bowl: Jason's maple walnut with lather buttons
Soap: Fendrihan Aloe Water shaving cream (old sample)
Post: rinse, alum, rinse, Lucky Tiger Face Tonic
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My last shave was Sunday evening, so 4 1/2 days ago. I seem to be falling into a pattern of doing two shaves back-to-back with a sample, then not shaving for a few days, then doing two more daily shaves.
I had intended to try the Marram Co. samples next, but went with the Fendrihan instead. Why? Because Fendrihan Canada is still in business and is still having its creams made in Engand (probably by Creighton like most of the English name brands). Marram Co., on the other hand, seems to have gone out of business in 2020 or thereabouts, quite possibly one more business victim of the Covid pandemic. So those samples are the only Marram Co creams I will ever be able to obtain, which makes testing them to see if I want to buy more rather pointless.
Ironically, the Marram Co samples are also the only samples that are probably still in perfect condition -- they are packaged in hermetically sealed metal tubes much like the ones medical ointments come in. Until I puncture the sealed metal tube tops, they should stay completely fresh. As far as I can tell, the company sold its full creams in similar larger metal tubes. Irrelevant now...
All my other cream samples in the little screwtop sample jars are now croaps. And most of the scents seem rather faint, although they may become stronger when I lather the samples.
The Fendrihan Aloe Water sample was no exception. I scooped out an almond-sized dollop and spread it in my lather bowl. It was about the consistency of putty rather than being a cream. The scent did grow a bit stronger when I lathered the sample. Fendrihan describes it as: "Aloe Water – A crisp and clean scent of aloe, complimented with lime and musk.". Uhmm, okay, I guess I will take their word for it. It smells vaguely fresh and plant-like and would likely be a pleasant scent to experience at full strength.
The cream lathered well and provided good glide and protection. Two passes got me back to cleanshaven with no issues. I had plenty of lather left in my bowl, as well as about half the croap I started with -- I will use the remainder in the bowl for tomorrow's shave.
Would I consider ordering this cream? Quite possibly. The performance is comparable to TOBS (and the price is cheaper than the English name brands) and this scent is quite light and pleasant.
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