Thread: Domenico Caraceni "1913" Shaving Cream

Some things appear to be set in stone: Less is more; Castle Forbes rules the shaving cream universe; library are boring. But once in a while, something beautiful happens. Like yesterday, when Bart, Chris and I paid a visit to The Different Scent to buy some of the Old Traditional strops, and some creams. And then Jens, the owner, said "here, take this one, and review it." And he gave me Domenico Caraceni "1913" Shaving Cream, which I shall now review.

First, the basics:

Formulata con olio di cocco e aloe vera che genera una morbida e ricca schiuma, ammorbidisce la barba per una rasatura perfetta.

So much for theory. Let us see what happens when theory meets shaving practice. Test razor: A Hess 99, fresh off several Coticules and an Old Traditional strop.

Packaging: Nice, big tub that will accommodate almost every brush. Lid fits tightly, and I have always liked Italian design.

Texture: Thick, rich cream. Loading the brush is a joy. And because the cream is reasonably stiff, you will have little difficulty loading the brush only with what you will need, which is very little.

Scent: Highly interesting. Best described as dark, probably. Citrus, myrrh, petit grain, styrax and geranium bourbon going on to neroli bigrade, rose absolute and essence of tabac.

Latherability: It creates a rich, thick and emollient lather. Perfect.

Cushion: The best ever. Nothing I can add, really. It is perfect.

Moisturising: Unobtrusive, efficient, leaves my skin in a perfect condition.

Price: At USD 50 for 250ml / 8.5 fl oz, it is a steal.

Overall impression: Domenico Caraceni "1913" Shaving Cream is the best cream I have ever used, and I have used a few. In my humble opinion, it beats Castle Forbes. That should give you an idea what we are dealing with here. If you like Xpec, you will love this cream, too.

I will give a short review because BeBerlin has said it all!

I didn't rate the packaging or the price as I didn't experience either first hand.
In all respects, this is a top notch cream! Very cushioning, as lubricating as one could hope for, and extremely lather-able.

I tried this cream in the mug as well as straight to the face and it performed mightily in both instances. Having never before tried Castle Forbes (I know, I know...) I can't compare it to that cream, but it is right on par if not better than Xpec.

The only possible draw back is that this creme comes in one scent.
I would describe the scent as a manly floral smell that is very clean as it doesn't seem to linger on or stick to you for long after the shave. I enjoyed it, but I could see it being a love it or hate it type of smell.

One thing is for sure: if you love the smell, you will love this cream!

-Rob

Great. It's now sold out, apparently anywhere on this planet. I know I shouldn't have written this review... :/

In total agreement with all of the above. This is the best. I want to buy another tub, if I can find it.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Great. It's now sold out, apparently anywhere on this planet. I know I shouldn't have written this review... :/

Maybe you already know, but it is back in stock at Lucky Scent. I now have a backup tub.

Robin, how does it compare to Penhaligon's cream that you tested?

Well, http://www.straightrazorplace.com/fo...ing-cream.html says it all, really. I would pick Penhaligon's based on scent, but Caraceni outperforms even Castle Forbes, so that is the trade-off.

While in Germany last week, I was able to pick up a tub of this cream for Euro 46.50, which is about $58 right now with the low $/Euro exchange. Quite pricey, however, the tub is 8.5 oz, I don't think there are any large shave cream tubs like this. BTW, the store had three more tubs in stock (Parfuemerie Albrecht in Frankfurt am Main).
The packaging is a simple and clean design, closes perfectly (I had it in my checked baggage, so no leakage whatsoever), others might be nicer looking, but this one very functional.
I just used a little pea-sized amount (similar to the amount I use with my CF creams), and wow, this one gave a huge amount of thick, very cushioning lather. Lots of it, enough for the four passes I did, and then some more.
The next time I use it, I just swirl my brush once over it and this should be enough.
This is the best cream I have used so far, and this is a keeper! Sold a lot of my creams in the past months since I pretty much switched to tallow soaps and face lather, but this one stays.

First things first the price... I don't rate price either you buy it or not...
This is expensive though but if you are into luxury creams then you are going to buy it.. I just ordered some, I got a sample of it from one of our members here at SRP (TY Jason)...

The lather is fantastic, it really is very creamy, and it holds up even in my well water for quite awhile...

I am not so sure I would say it out performs CF, as some people seem to want to compare it to, but they both are in the same class of product... These are true luxury creams and they do perform as such...

I personally was not blown away by the scent, it was a nice clean soapy smell, the Wife however loved it...

I guess the real question is would I buy it ???? Yes I just did hehehe
Would I recommend it ???? Yes, but to an experienced user...

enjoy

I just received a sample myself from Jason..Thank you Jason...Oh, I did send him some Xpec. Ryan too....Anyway, Just as good as everyone say's. It is a top notch, high end Shave Cream. The lather reminds me of Xpec, in the sense that you can add quite a bit of water to it, and it holds up. Like Xpec, I don't believe it can be killed by conventional weapons...LOL....

But this is about DC...I liked it, Great cushion, Rich Creamy lather, and lot's of it...I used about 1/2 an almond size dollop. After the first application of DC, I stropped up my blade, A Torrey on SRD's Premium 1, came back to the sink, and the lather was unchanged on my face.

The biggest con with this stuff for me...is the scent...And let me say again...For Me..it's the scent. Someone else may like it. I found it to be very feminine, hard to put my finger on the exact fragrance, perfumey maybe, definitely like a Woman's perfume.. As usual, I shoved a Shave brush loaded with the cream under my GF's nose and said, "Smell this" I do that a lot....

She said "it smells like old lady perfume..." There you have it...
Neither of us are fragrance experts, so take this with a grain of salt...

But all the good aspects outweigh that...Can I get used to it? even learn to like it?
I don't know...? At first, I didn't care for Bulgarian Rose Otto, now it's one of my favorite scents...DC is definitely tops, in leaque with Xpec, Castle Forbes and Truefitt and Hill.

P.S. I did not give it a numerical rating because I didn't actually buy a tub of it...