ABC Shave!

Bumping an old but relevant thread since I now have my own bottles of ABC aftershaves and have been using them daily for a week except for 2 days.

I got my flame suit on for this one....

While they're nice aftershaves and work pretty well for me, I don't think they're worth the high price they sell for, $64ish for the apricot hull and $54ish for the green tobacco.

For comparisons, my moon soaps aftershaves are just as thin in consistency as the green tobacco aftershave milk, only cost $16 and keep my skin feeling moisturized all day long.  I can also smell the fragrance pretty much throughout the entire day too....

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I haven't used mine nearly as long as you have...I tried each scent once before going back to my plan to use a very limited lineup til our remodel is done.  But the scent strength is my #1 issue with them.  Don't get me wrong, they are good balms but i like scents to linger longer.  The Red Sandalwood is the one that lasted the longest but even after just a few minutes, I was primarily only getting whiffs of the wonderful fragrance.  I was wondering if the guys who use it on a consistent basis typically wear an EDP as well.  In those instances, these would be fantastic but I typically only use an AS or balm

Bumping an old but relevant thread since I now have my own bottles of ABC aftershaves and have been using them daily for a week except for 2 days.

I got my flame suit on for this one....

While they're nice aftershaves and work pretty well for me, I don't think they're worth the high price they sell for, $64ish for the apricot hull and $54ish for the green tobacco.

For comparisons, my moon soaps aftershaves are just as thin in consistency as the green tobacco aftershave milk, only cost $16 and keep my skin feeling moisturized all day long.  I can also smell the fragrance pretty much throughout the entire day too....

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

I haven't used mine nearly as long as you have...I tried each scent once before going back to my plan to use a very limited lineup til our remodel is done.  But the scent strength is my #1 issue with them.  Don't get me wrong, they are good balms but i like scents to linger longer.  The Red Sandalwood is the one that lasted the longest but even after just a few minutes, I was primarily only getting whiffs of the wonderful fragrance.  I was wondering if the guys who use it on a consistent basis typically wear an EDP as well.  In those instances, these would be fantastic but I typically only use an AS or balm

I can agree with you on the scents..they don't last all that long. I definitely like the green tobacco more than the apricot hull.

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This balm isn't about the scent, it is about the healing and restorative qualities. Scent really an afterthought. Besides, scents should come from frags with balms and as fading quickly to allow the scent stars to shine

This balm isn't about the scent, it is about the healing and restorative qualities. Scent really an afterthought. Besides, scents should come from frags with balms and as fading quickly to allow the scent stars to shine

Then why scent them at all?

We just disagree here.

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ABC balms are true ‘old school’ scents, I have the apricot hull, red sandalwood, tobacco verde, and almond balms. I agree with both Dan and Andrew, the cost is difficult to justify, but IMO they are a bit better - they don’t get sticky or greasy if you use a bit too much like many balms do. The apricot hull balm can get a bit heavy, I use it in smaller amounts and in winter.

If you want a cheaper balm that performs similarly to the apricot hull, try Myrsol Emulsion. It’s a different scent and has a touch of menthol, but performs similarly.

Different cultures.

The ABC shop in Milan does a brisk business with the balms primarily in Italy and Europe. I love the ‘old school’ scents and their scent strength. The best restorative balms I have used. Paolo at Eleven Shaving also makes a nice balm I enjoy that includes Apricot Kernel Oil.

The European friends I know in this hobby prefer lighter scents having grown up with softer aromas. I have gifted them jars on my travels of Ariana & Evan’s and even the new Omnibus Sandalwood to no avail. The fragrance oils are far too strong and unnatural to them. On the contrary, the older Soft Heart Sandalwood with a pinch of genuine Mysore sandalwood was a big hit in Europe when I gifted them.

I’m a recent convert to ABC, as of last Nov. I haven’t paid full price for any of it, having found bargains here and there. I bought the almond oil cream, all three milks and the apricot hull balm. My favorite is the balm. Wow! I used that more than any other aftershave this winter. It feels like it should be greasy feeling on the skin, but somehow it’s not. My favorite of the milks is probably the Red Sandalwood. The light scents don’t bother me, though I could do with a bit more strength with the the almond milk. I’m not sure I’d pay full price for any of it other than maybe the balm, but it seems like deals can be had (like buying direct on Black Friday).

Also a fan here, thanks to DanLaw. Bought some last year when ABC had a Xmas sale. The Apricot Hull is probably my favorite balm (a category which, in my mind, includes milks). I've not found it to be that heavy or greasy but, then, I've not used it in the summer. Expensive, yes, but easily a better buy than buying a few tubs of soap and aftershaves that I might not turn out to like. The Almond Oil Milk is close but I do get some burn from it, which is disappointing. I'd use more and probably like it more without that. What I'd love would be an unscented ABC aftershave.

Franco Bompieri. 1934 - 2023.

Condolences to his family. He ran the best barbershop in the world. His wonderful daughter Francesca will carry on the tradition. Some of the best products available, especially the Apricot Hull.

A must visit if you ever find yourself in northern Italy.