The Art of Shaving Store (And the Soap).

I just returned from an amazing week in Las Vegas. (I didn't defile myself -- "You're talking to a tourist whose every move's among the purest; I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine!" -- I was there for a trade show). While I was enjoying the walkways of the Venetian I came upon The Art of Shaving -- the store. Well put together, it was small but clean and offered several types of shave. In addition, their line of shave products were offered. Yes, they're expensive -- $30 for a puck of soap without the bowl, $50 with the bowl -- but I was extremely impressed with the lather they whipped up for me. Considering VDH had an ingredient change (I don't know what) and doesn't perform like it used to, I thought this would be a try worth having.

Oh, boy. Was I right! I took my Feather Popular and blades along and left my beloved '58 TV SS (Thanks again, Jody!) at home to avoid the risk of losing it. Even with the light-bodied Popular I found my shave to be comfortable and clean. The lather has an excellent cushion and builds quickly and thick on the face. With my usual pre-shave method (damp, hot towel for 30 seconds, then warm lather on the face) it was impressive.

I hope this doesn't read like an endorsement or something -- I was just glad to find a shave soap, in a store, that I could demo and then physically buy as where I live nobody sells anything like it. I didn't just pay for the soap, at that point -- I paid for the experience, as well -- talking to a live person, face to face, who enjoys a wet shave as much as I do and allows you to see what the product can do on-the-spot. I'm all over the place with this narrative, I'm sure; but I can't help but talk about how glad I was to have the experience.

 

I haven't been to the one in the Venetian. I have been to the one in Mandalay Bay though. You're right, crazy expensive but I did buy my Futur there. I paid a little more than I would have online but it's nice to have a place you can walk into and touch and smell the merchandise before buying.

 

I've heard AoS soaps and creams work very well as you stated. There's one in the mall near my house. I've walked in and smelled their products, nice stuff just like you said a steep price tag. I didn't participate in conversation with the sales people because I didn't want to get talked into a sale. I'm sure that I will be gifted some of their product at some point since this seems to be one of the only accessible shaving stores in my area. My girlfriend and mom wouldn't know where or what to order off the internet. As you say, the ability to walk into a store, look at the product, smell it, talk to the salesperson is attractive to certain buyers including myself.

 

Honestly I'm hesitant to buy clothes online for the same reason: I want to handle it before I buy it. There's a different experience there altogether. And I'm glad to say that they didn't try to talk me into a sale, really; the gent showed me the lather, showed me the razor lineup, all that jazz -- and my choice was mine to make. It would be nice to see more places carrying shave soaps and shave products, but the clientele is so spread out that it would be hard to keep the right things on hand and not stretch out one's working capital.

 

I like the AoS soap and cream I received for Christmas this year. Very nice, I am enjoying them much more than the socks, although socks are good too.

 

I will be heading back to Vegas in may for the JCK jewelry show. I'll have to check out their store....note to self *bring extra cash for shaving gear*!! I'M like you guys, I like being able to see and smell a product before I buy it and I am deffinitly more willing to spend money in person then online. I think when I am shopping online I am in bargain mode compared to shopping in person when I know how much I have in my pocket and what I'm willing to spend. Plus, I get to leave with the product and not have to wait for it to ship.

 

FacialCarnage, when you're in Vegas, I've heard good things about Presidential Shave Shop. I've never been but someone one Wicked Edge was raving about them a while ago.

http://www.presidentialshaves.com/

 

I know what you mean. I bought my first razor, brush, soap and scuttle from a local cutlery store for the same reasons. Especially with brushes, it pays to handle the products up close and in person. Not that buying online is bad, it's just that a brick and mortar store is a whole different experience.

My take is that Art of Shaving has excellent soaps and creams, with the scents being some of the best ever. Of course, scent is a highly subjective thing. The only downside is the cost.

There is a mall within walking distance from me that has an Art of Shaving. They do a great business and always have customers packed in their store. The owner told me he also reads the wetshaving forums. How cool is that? The mall also has L'Occitane, Aveda and The Body Shop stores. Mostly those places are for chicks, and the staff usually gives me that "dude, you must be really lost" look when I walk in. They get the 'aha' look and their eyes light up when asked about shave soap or cream, though, and they are very happy to show me their products. There even used to be another store close by that sold straight razors, Merkur safety razors, mugs (including Concord pewter mugs), brushes and shave soap. Unfortunately, they said awhile back they were going to close. They did a very brisk business selling shaving products, primarily straight razors, to students at the adjacent university.

We forum-goers often think online is the only wetshaving venue around. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

My experience with AoS is not great.

Worth noting, it was a tub of AoS unscented, that I received for Christmas years ago, that got me interested in Wet Shaving.. The lather was great. And I had a puck of AoS Lemon that I just traded, that also lathered well.. didn't care for the Lemon. My last trip to an AoS store was a horror.. the young ladies at the register had no idea that there boar brushes.. Couldn't really explain the differences between the badger options and, when I mentioned a Slant (in discussion of the limited razors they offered), their eyes glazed over. As did the eyes of all the folks in ear-shot.

I hadn't used their hard soap so asked if I could test lather the lemon and it was weird to see the proprietors in awe of the simple lathering I did. They, and the patrons started asking all kinds of how-to questions.

While it was fun, it didn't leave me loving AoS.

I just traded the puck of lemon soap, and included what was left on my gift card (about $37) as a PiF to the person I sent to soap to.. I am pretty much done with AoS.

 

I agree the salespeople aren't that knowledgeable. But after reading here for a little while, I had an idea what I was looking for and the good part is being able to check the stuff out in person. I won't be buying a ton of stuff there but occasionally, I'll pop in when I'm nearby.

 

After reading that AOS might have reformulated their soaps and going veggie, I just had to get me a puck of their lavender soap: Hopefully it will be the tallow version.

It will be sent all the way from Hong Kong, so I am assuming it is not from the newest stock.

 

I have the tallow version, it's great. I cannot fathom why AoS would change their fantastic soap by removing the tallow. I see it is now made in the USA instead of Italy.
This is my shaving soap experience, I find something I really like and it's either discontinued or reformulated.

 

Ouch. That differs from my experience greatly. The gent working in Vegas knew his stuff and knew exactly how to lather. He knew his razors and blades, too. Sometimes that happens with franchise stores, and if I were in your place I would've reacted the same way.

 

AOS Is great for introducing the masses to wet shaving just as Orvis is to fly fishing. Are they the end all ? No but each introduced me to two hobbies I love !

 

I stopped in for a minute last night. The lady working was very pleasant and didn't really try to sell me anything when I told her I was pretty happy with my shaves. It was nice being able to see the Merkur Futur in person as well. That Ocean Kelp stuff sure smells nice too.

It was also nice to be able to pick up a brush stand for $6 and not have to pay shipping too.

 

I love the AoS shaving creames. My favorite is the Lemon. The store in Az at the mall is very nice with a knowledgable sales staff.

 

Btw, for some reason I've been able to find the discontinued tallow version online lately. The best price I found was on some site called haircareandbeauty. It's worth the google. I'm glad I was able to get my hands on it, and I can confirm this is the original formula. I stocked up on an almost lifetime supply lol.

 

I recieved the Sandalwood Package as a gift last year as well as a shave. Really enjoy the products, although I think they are very expensive. The shave.....well, I can say I get just as close of a shave, but the experience was neat. Been to several different stores and one of the things I've noticed is that the knowledge and experience of the employess differs prettly significantly. Some are very knowledgable, others are just out to sell product and are parroting back what they've been instructed to say. Same as all chains, I guess. Overall, I like the products but don't think I can buy them personally, based on price.

 

The sandalwood cream is my all time favorite scent. Period.