Thread: Castle Forbes Cedar and Sandalwood AF Balm

I have a beef with Aftershave Balms. They seem to promise a nice calming effect on the skin and are supposed to sooth razorburn and help heal the skin. However it seems most contain alcohol and burn just like the AF Lotions and leave your face feeling greasy. As a matter of fact I've never met one I've really liked. If I like the scent it burns, If it doesn't burn its greasy and if I like the scent and it's not greasy it burns or some combination of bad factors.

So I decided to try the CF Aftershave balm. Actually I've been using the stuff in rotation with my other concoctions for months now. First the scent. Well its different. Most don't like it. It kind of smells like wet earth or a bog. Not very inviting eh? Every time I open the cap I think an earthworm is going to come crawling out. Well being an old geologist I love the scent but its not for everybody. Second, the effect. Its the first balm I've used that actually does what it is supposed to do. It contains no alcohol using witchazel instead and has botanics and it very cool and soothing on the skin. Third, is it greasy? No not in the least. It leaves no greasy residue on the skin you are aware of but does leave a protecting layer which is very light.

Like their soaps which I think are the best shaving soaps in the Universe I think the balm is also the best Aftershave balm in the Universe. Its pricy but well worth it. If your considering it don't buy this scent unless you can get a sample first. On a scale of 1-10 I would give this stuff a 20.

I also like the Cedarwood and Sandlewood Castle and Forbes ASB. This is one of the best balms I have used.

Castle Forbes is one of the best lime period. There lime Shaving Cream is the bench mark I hold all against. He is dead on about the Balms by the time you are done rubbing it in it feels like your down to water. No grease at all but with the natural ingredients works great.

I have 2 of Castle Forbes shave cream Sandalwood and Cedar and Lime. Both smell great I haven't tried their aftershave though. However if it smells like the shaving cream they would be a winner...

About 30 days ago, I started learning about and figuring out really high end shaving stuff. I've invested in several Merkur razors, a Gillette Fat Boy, and I've acquired an amazing Gong straight Edge from Glen, a strop from Tony and a Brush from Bob's Razor. . These are AMAZING shaving tools. Absolutely wonderful.

I also began to investigate shaving soaps, creams, balms and oils. I have an array of Castle Forbes, Taylor, Trumper and Black Jack products. All of them are quite wonderful - luxurious in fact!

Recently, I learned about The Gentlemen's Quarter - and ordered Highlander soap and, Orange Patchouli and Lavendar creams. I LOVE these best of all! Quite possibly it's a matter of skin sensativity - but the other products burn ever so slightly. Where as the GQ products are gentle, and have a spectacular aroma. I really like them the very very best.

For a pre-shave, the Truefitt and Hill Oil is the best. For an aftershave balm - actually a cheap bottle of Nieva from the grocery store is wonderful. For cologne - I really love the G. Trumper west Indies extract of lime. Very rich fragerance. For hand cream (I have very bad hand, with a combo of psoriasis and cracked skin from golf) Jack Black skin repair is the best indeed.

Now, these are the opinions of a newbie - but I'll be a GQ customer for life!

It's funny, because I always hear guys saying how much they love TGQ, Colleen's soaps. They don't do it for me, I don't know why. Maybe it's me. I'll probably be strung up now, there loved by all. Now, I like Mama Bear's soap. To be honest, all I ever got from Coleen was the sample pack with the little pucks. Maybe that's why they don't lather so well. That's my opinion. What's funny is, I do get a slight burning sensation on my face from TGQ's soaps, but just theirs. Maybe I need to break down and order a regular size puck and the risk of being thrown out by my girlfriend. I hear everyone raving about her soaps.

Rich, I too like Castle Forbes. Haven't tried their aftershave, but have tried their pre shave, +1, I have the Sandalwood and Cedar. You can most definitely smell the cedar, that's for sure. Other than Castle Forbes, I'd have to go with Mama Bear for soaps, and due to her selection, lather, fragrance, glycerin, packaging, etc...Check it out if you haven't
Rich

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I Like their soaps which I think are the best shaving soaps in the Universe I think the balm is also the best Aftershave balm in the Universe. Its pricy but well worth it. If your considering it don't buy this scent unless you can get a sample first. On a scale of 1-10 I would give this stuff a 20.

I know Castle Forbes makes great shaving creams (based on the threads I've read), but I didn't know they made soaps.

Rich, you and I have opposite takes on TGQ versus Mama Bear. I am not particularly fond of Mama Bear's scents, although they lather up very nicely. I prefer TGQ scents. Both have large followings here...

How does it compare to Nivea After Shave Extra Soothing Balm ?

I really that Nivea, no alcohol, no irritation, no sticky feeling. It just works great for me.