O.K. One of my pet peeves is internet trolls who spew negativity on the internet. So, on the off chance that anyone mistakenly interprets my post above as a negative review for Stone Cottages' products, or these creams in particular, I want to take some extra space here to make sure and set the record straight. Maybe I'm being overly dramatic worrying about a quippy (and hopefully lighthearted) post, but having worked the last 20 years in family business, I understand what it means to work hard and make sacrifices to put out a product that you are proud of and that people enjoy. Although I don't personally know any soap or cream makers I expect they all feel this same way. So a few further thoughts from the balcony are required to set the record straight: First of all, the value of the creams are great (and I don't mean because I'm giving them away for free). A pea sized dollop whips up into a ton of good quality lather. Now for scents: Spiced Bay, Bay Lime - If you like the smell of bay leaves, spices and limes you will like these scents. Being a relative noob, all I had ever heard of was Bay Rum, which I assumed was some sort of Pirate reference of sailors drinking rum on a boat in the bay, so I expected some sort of ocean scent. Not bay leaves. I know. I'm an idiot. But that's no reason to shun two innocent creams that had nothing to do with any sort of swashbuckling events. Frankincense Fog - This one I figured if it's good enough for the wise men and baby Jesus, I might like it too. I didn't. (By the way, I'm not being snarky here, this was my actual rationale for buying this cream.) However, it was worth it to me to find out what Frankincense smelled like, jut for the "story value" at Christmas. So who's review holds more weight? Wise men (literally) and the Savior of Mankind (again, literally) or the guy who thought Bay Rum was a pirate reference? I'll let you be the judge. Vetiver and Vanilla, TOBS Rose, Trumpers Violet, Trumpers Rose - These smell either sweet or floral or both. Some guys like nostalgic, sweet, floral smells. Turned out that isn't my thing. You don't know if you don't try. On the other hand, I do have some Stone Cottage Almond Flower that has a sweet, floral smell that I really do like. I have no explanation for this. Suede & Kashmir, Musk - Didn't expect to love them based on their names, but what the heck, right? Some people only want to eat vanilla ice cream. Life is a risk/reward proposition. Coconut - I can't really smell the coconut, but I can't really smell the Trumpers coconut either, which is a lot of folks' all time favorite cream. I'm also noseblind to Trumpers GFT for some reason. Go figure. OK. Now I'm off my soap box, and anxiously awaiting the soap box...
@BaylorGator - Seconding you statement. I did enjoy the quality of the Stone Cottage Soapworks shave cream. I wouldn't have put it in the box for others to sample/trade if it was a "bad product". My only issue with the Hesperide variety, apparently no longer available, was that I did not prefer the scent over other soaps I use regularly. Reviews of the product set it in the quality range of ToBS and other premium creams.
I am at the point where I have my favorites (Stirling, Barrister and Mann, and Catie's bubbles)...And then my high quality second tier (klar, mlsw, tobs, t&h, l&l, pannacrema nuavia, Dr. Jon, mdc) Anything less is disposable for me.
That's why I'm so appreciative for this pass around. Having learned of these products relatively recently, my experience with what I would consider high quality creams is limited to TOBS, Tumper, Stone Cottage, Proraso, and Speik. (having sampled almost all the creams from the first three.) I've found lots of creams and scents I like, but only a few that are my "Go To's" so far (TOBS Peppermint and Jerymn Street in particular) This is a wonderful opportunity to for me to branch out into other products I haven't tried and find some new favorites. Since I'm last in the pass along and can't really contribute to you guys' experience I thought I'd offer up some very unique creams that weren't on my "go to list", but I'm glad I tried, and think others would like to try as well. If nobody chimes in within the next few days to claim any or all scents, I'll probably split them up and PIF some out on TSD and some on B&B. Members of both boards are incredibly generous, great guys (and gals), and I'd love to give someone the opportunity for a free trial. If it saves somebody $25 bucks or so, and turns someone into a fan of a new cream, that'd be a win win. Having said that, I'd anticipate that many of you guys are on sample overload; a state I am looking forward to sharing with you.
V&V and the florals are gone to @RyX . Still have Bay Spice, Bay Lime, Frankincense Fog, Suede & Kashmir, and Musk. Anyone, Anyone, Bueller?
To keep Randy @BaylorGator in new stuff until The Box reaches him I'll be sending samples his way. Proraso - Red (sandalwood) Proraso - White (eucalyptus & tea tree) Tabac - ( humm, call it European cologne) Route 66 - Barbershop Hop Arko (lemon, great lather & ultra inexpensive). Klar Mandel (almond, very almond)
He's probably busy carving divots off of soap pucks with his light saber! I hope he is making a video of it, because that would be freaking awesome!
I just used the Martin de Candre Fougere, an amazing soap. Just a small sample and huge amounts of slick, protective lather. Here's my SOTD: Razor: Supply Provision Custom 3 dot head Blade: Chick Brush: That Darn Rob silvertip Soap: Martin de Candre Fougere Post Care: Thayers Witch Hazel Alum Osage Rub Aftershave: Fine Green Vetiver Amazing shave this morning. I used a small sample of the MDC Fougere from the soap pass around box and had lather for days. It has a great scent, protective and very slick; I can see why people like this soap so well. It's a shame it's not for sale anymore. Three easy passes for a BBS shave. I finished up with the Fine Green Vetiver and although I love it, it didn't match the complexity of scents the soap had. Have a great day folks!
@hvacguy85 - Ben is getting ready to mail the box to you on Monday. Are you ready?? @Fly2High will be next after that.
Ben, I highly recommend you stop by Barrister and Mann's website and pick up some of their soaps. They just released several today, and they are super high quality. You will not be disappointed.
I went there this morning to get the Petrichor set but the AS was already sold out. I already own a Roam soap, Le Grande Chypre soap, First Snow set, Night Music set with EDT and Hallows set. I love their products and I'm really regretting not logging in earlier.
Actually, Diamond is one of my absolute favorites, and it is available. Their new "soapmakers of Awesometown" also sounds pretty fantastic.
