I love Sandalwood, but with this soap, I can't smell any. I smell pungent, synthetic, detergent-like soap ... with some powdery floral notes as if it wasn't bad enough already. Okay, I concede that here, "bad" just means, not my type of scent. But it's just that I'm repulsed by it. I can't imagine why it's so popular. It is definitely more of a feminine scent to me.
Here's why it's so bad. I shaved with it one (the only) time, and then went to work. It smelled like I had dunked my face in what you get when a powdery grandma loses a fight with a jug of truck stop hand soap. And it stayed on me for hours! Hours, people! Probably four! By far, the longest-lasting scent on any soap I've tried and it happened to be the worst smelling (to me).
A little does go a long way, so it's not a bad value. But there are much better ones out there for this price. This list is sorted by price, lowest first.
* The performance of Col Conk's soap, like Bay Rum, is just as good as this and it costs $3.70 for 2.25 oz, and will probably last longer.
* Haslinger makes 60g pucks of hard soap that make lather just as slick (or better) and will probably get you as many shaves as this. And they're only $8-9 a puck. Now, their Sandalwood much more authentic.
* Proraso is another croap that lathers just as well (I can speak for the Red), and has a fabulous actual Sandalwood scent, for just $10 or so.
* Cella is an almond scent that is around $11 and performs as good or better.
* The Latha line from Barrister and Mann is so much better than TOBS, and it is a few dollars cheaper... and will probably last longer. And they have a Sandalwood too.
* Dapper Dragon is a better performer than TOBS, IMO and costs less.
* Henri & Victoria's base is top notch, years ahead of TOBS and they cost less too.
* Fine Accoutrements makes some hard puck soap that is super slick and their Sandalwood scent is more authentic as well. As a hard puck, it will give you more uses than TOBS and ... you guessed it... it also costs a few dollars less. Some complain that it leaves their skin a little dry after the shave, but I use a post-shave balm, and have never had any problems.
* Stirling soaps gives you so many scent choices, though I don't really think they have a good authentic Sandalwood, either. They are a few dollars less than TOBS, but are more slick, and you get way more for your money.
* Mike's Natural is also a great value for $13 and gives much better lather than TOBS. And it's harder, and you get 5 oz, so it will surely outlast a tub of TOBS.
* WSP is cheaper, just as good of a performer, and will give you more shaves.
* Catie's Bubbles is better than TOBS in terms of performance, and it beats it in cost and scent choices.
* Mickey Lee Soapworks is cheaper, just as good of a performer, and will give you more shaves.
* Reef Point Soaps is cheaper, a better performer, and will give you more shaves.
* Captain's Choice has a much more authentic Sandalwood, performs just as good, and costs a bit less.
* Chiseled Face is less and it performs better and has some amazing and truly manly scents.
* Soap Commander's performance is top notch and can give super slick lathers, even in hard water, and may cost just a little more, but you get more for your money than TOBS since they give you a generous 6 oz.
* Dr Jon's is a better performer for a better price.
* Barrister & Mann has a few entries that are cheaper than TOBS and it is far superior in lather quality and will give you more shaves than Taylors.
Anyway, the performance is good, and the strength of the TOBS soaps is that they are quick and easy to lather, so may be a good option for someone starting out. I personally like the scent of Jermyn St. or St James a lot better.
