Comparison shave
A reader asked yesterday for a comparison of the Green Irish Tweed fragrances between the Queen Charlotte Soaps version and the original Creed version. (Creed’s Green Irish Tweed was Cary Grant’s favorite fragrance.) Nothing loath, I set about to satisfy the request.
I also got a couple of new horsehair shaving brushes from GiftsAndCare.com. The one in the photo is the Vie-Long Brown 13071 and I like it. It’s fairly resilient initially, but seemed to soften in the course of the shave and was quite soft for the third pass. It worked extremely well: I got a Creamy Lather with both soaps, but I have to say that the Creed soap is definitely a cut above—not so much for the fragrance, which in both soaps is quite light, but in the lather itself: richer, creamier, and altogether better. Of course, Creed shaving soap sells for almost 6 times as much as the Queen Charlotte version, and I’m not sure I’d go so far as to rate the lather as 6 times better—twice as good, perhaps, or even three times, but in terms of bang for buck, QCS is the winner; for bang alone, Creed, no contest.
I am quite happy with the brush and tomorrow I’ll use the other horsehair brush I got.
The iKon S3S is another case in which the performance multiplier is less than the price multiplier, but that said, in absolute terms this is one of my very best razors. I’m convinced the secret of its smooth, effective, and comfortable shave is the total mass of the razor pushing the blade’s edge through the (well-prepped) beard. Other razors generally are lighter than the S3S’s 4.5 oz. (Weight includes the (Personna 74 tunsten-steel) blade.)
BullgooseShaving.net still has some of the S3S razors. Given the vagaries of the iKon production schedule, I suggest that if you want one, you get it while you can—there are many guys still awaiting the return of the iKon open-comb bulldog razor, certainly one of the most comfortable shavers I own.
Altogether an informative shave. Thanks, Chris, for the suggestion of the GIT comparison.
I always enjoy your articles. IKON razors can also be purcheased at Lee’s Safety Razors(they do a great job with the Mergress as well) and The Italian Barber here in Canada where I just ordered one. Thanks again for your insights and info.Rupe
Rupert Bizzell
8 November 2011 at 8:36 am
I also received such brush (+ two more) today and I like it so far.
The Creed is an awesome product for my taste! I enjoy it all the way!
KanzlerBismarck
8 November 2011 at 8:50 am
@rupert: Thanks for the pointer. Lee’s Safety Razors carries a great inventory of shaving equipment and supplies. I had not realized that they were an iKon vendor, though. Appreciate the info.
@Kanzler: The Creed is amazing soap. Now I want to do a side-by-side with Floris London shaving soap.
LeisureGuy
8 November 2011 at 9:09 am
Good idea!
Though, I use Floris and love the smell of the Elite.
But Creed is Creed…..
KanzlerBismarck
8 November 2011 at 9:14 am
Lee’s already out of stock on the iKon. Darn.
zaine_ridling
8 November 2011 at 6:58 pm
Shoebox shaveshop also has s3s & h2o in stock
Hyperwarp
9 November 2011 at 4:09 am
I just pulled the trigger on the s3s thanks to this post. I bought it from Italian Barber b/c shoebox would have charged sales tax and those are the only two that had any left in stock. I also bought the stand with it. Making it cheaper than the feather or Pils when you factor in the stand price. I failed to order the open comb bulldog a year ago and regretted it. I put it on the credit card and will not use until Christmas. Then I’ll pay it off in full with my next round of student loans.
J Dogg
9 November 2011 at 2:11 pm
I’ll have to a side-by-side, but I believe the S3S is a better shaver than the Pils. As I note, I switch between sides of the head throughout the shave, just as with a regular razor. I do know some try to use open comb first pass, straight bar the other passes, but that makes the shave too finicky for me.
LeisureGuy
9 November 2011 at 3:21 pm
That would be an interesting comparison – PILS vs. S3S. Also the S3S vs. Ikon open comb bulldog would be a nice match up if you get around to it…
J Dogg
10 November 2011 at 9:16 am
Okay. Sounds good.
LeisureGuy
10 November 2011 at 9:24 am