What sandalwood soap / cream would you recommend?

Merkurologist said:
It's going very well, thank you :)

Today I took delivery of a Fine Sandalwood soap, said to be very similar to AOS. I'm yet to lather it but it smells quite nice. It's not as earthy as SOP though.
While in London I purchased a TOBS Sandalwood stick. There is a noticeable difference with the cream and the soap is growing on me.

So far the OSP is still my favourite. ( I was reading on a Spanish shaving forum how a few members were praising American soaps and knocking British soaps.... what a bunch of ignorant wet shavers I thought :) :) :) - they should read what I've been reading in at least one American forum..... they regard some British soaps highly and rightly so in MHO, just like there are some fantastic American, Italian, French, etc soaps)

I got a sample of PAA Sandalwood AS which is very different.... I think it would have to grow on me :)
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Thats great to hear, we are big fans of the OSP range - the lather & quality is exceptional. We have some wonderful British artisans! TOBS is a really nice Sandalwood, the matching fragrance is exquisite!

Agent L
 
Can anybody confirm that Fine Santal Absolut is indeed very similar to AOS Sandalwood?

I'm confused.... Peter Charkalis (shaving with Charky) describes AOS as a very earthy scent. On the other hand, I've read more that one comment that Santal Absolut is based on AOS Sandalwood but I don't really find Santal Absolut earthy at all.

Still, I really like Santal Absolut soap but I'd love to hear from sandalwood lovers as I'm really struggling to pick sandalwood scent from this soap.

I really look forward to hearing from sandalwood scent lovers...... ;)
 
Merkurologist said:
Can anybody confirm that Fine Santal Absolut is indeed very similar to AOS Sandalwood?

I'm confused.... Peter Charkalis (shaving with Charky) describes AOS as a very earthy scent. On the other hand, I've read more that one comment that Santal Absolut is based on AOS Sandalwood but I don't really find Santal Absolut earthy at all.

Still, I really like Santal Absolut soap but I'd love to hear from sandalwood lovers as I'm really struggling to pick sandalwood scent from this soap.

I really look forward to hearing from sandalwood scent lovers...... ;)
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Not earthy at all. I find it exactly as Vespasian1 described it on post 22
 
Merkurologist said:
...So far the OSP is still my favourite. ( I was reading on a Spanish shaving forum how a few members were praising American soaps and knocking British soaps.... what a bunch of ignorant wet shavers I thought :) :) :) - they should read what I've been reading in at least one American forum..... they regard some British soaps highly and rightly so in MHO, just like there are some fantastic American, Italian, French, etc soaps)...
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Yes, where a soap is made has little or no bearing for me. I just want it to work and smell decent.

I too am also curious about the Fine Santal Absolut. I read conflicting descriptions everywhere. :confused: On that note, I'll probably get a sample of the Stirling Sandalwood in the future. Unfortunately, Fine does not offer samples.
 
The Fine Santal Absolut is very different to the OSP Sandalwood and TOB's soap. It's not earthy as OSP and not as cologne-ish as TOB's but it's very nice. The performance is very good too. I wish it came in its own container, I believe Fine do a container that you can purchase separately but it didn't look nice enough to buy...... I bought the Loccitane Cade cause that is now a classic :)
I've read a few people saying that the scent of Fine Santal Absolut is based on AOS Sandalwood tallow if so then I understand why people like AOS so much, it's a very nice scent.

I'm planning to mix OSP and Fine for a Sandalwood shave :)
 
OK, I've tried OSP, TOBS soap and Fine sandalwoods so far and I kind of like them all in different ways. I'm wondering where the Proraso Sandalwood would fit in the 3 I have already tried. Any ideas?
 
The Proraso Sandalwood is quite cologney sweet, but also dark, earthy and woodsy. I like it. Performance wise it is pretty good, better than TOBS for me, not as good as OSP, but OSP is exceptional. I haven't tried any Fine soaps yet, but they have a solid reputation as a good tallow soap. If you're a sandalwood fan I'd definitely get the Proraso Red, it lathers and easily and performs very well for its price point. I think it's perfect for misty autumnal evenings.
 
The Proraso Sandalwood is quite cologney sweet, but also dark, earthy and woodsy. I like it. Performance wise it is pretty good, better than TOBS for me, not as good as OSP, but OSP is exceptional. I haven't tried any Fine soaps yet, but they have a solid reputation as a good tallow soap. If you're a sandalwood fan I'd definitely get the Proraso Red, it lathers and easily and performs very well for its price point. I think it's perfect for misty autumnal evenings.
 
Sandalwood soaps and creams I've tried so far: Tobs, T&Hill, Edwin Jagger, Proraso and Lea classic. Among them my favourite scent is tobs.
Proraso is inexpensive and nice so I recommend it also Lea classic is very nice as well especially in warm weather as it has menthol which gives a nice cooling.
Their performance are very good, both Proraso and Lea has matching aftershaves and they are great as well.
 
Bogeyman said:
Although I am no expert on Eastern spices/woods, many say the Proraso Sandalwood scent is close to the real stuff. YMMV.
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I don't really know what real sandalwood smells like but all 4 sandalwood scented soaps I now have smell different. OSP is my fabourite, it would be a fantastic soap if the scent strength was stronger. I can't separate TOBS soap and Fine Santal Absolut for my second favourite sandalwood scent, they are both very different but I like them equally. The proraso sandalwood to my nose is darker, more earthy than the Fine and TOBS but not as nice though, although I think the scent will grow on me. I've shaved with it only once so far but I found it lacks in slickness in comparison to the other 3. As a test, I used Fine Santal Absolut for my last pass and the difference in slickness was very evident..... still, for the price, not a bad soap.

I mixed OSP and Fine soaps but the result wasn't exceptional.... not worth the extra work IMO. I alway mix proraso green with DR Harris Eucalyptus cream and the result is excellent. .. at least I find it excellent ;) the proraso provides a little extra cushioning to an already excellent DR Harris cream.
 
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