Thanks for all the great comments, emails, and feedback around my shaving ‘megapost’ i made previously. The Proraso italian shaving cream i’ve been using is quite good, however being as Knize make some of the world’s finest clothing, accessories, and fragrances—I was obliged to try out their shaving soap in a beautiful Knize-etched wooden shaving bowl.
The soap is great, lathers up quite nicely after about 40-50 spins of my brush, and goes on with plenty of smoothness. The smell, as with all Knize items, is simply fantastic. It’s pretty difficult to find Knize accessories in the US, however this soap along with other Knize items are currently available at Colonial Drug in Cambridge, MA. This, by the way, is a great shop with tons of other great Knize items in stock. The shave soap and the bowl are $45 and in stock.
There will be a day when I make it to the only standing Knize shop in Vienna; but for now, I will take what i can get and scavenge around for these little pieces of gentlemen glory.
IEDEI 
You haven’t even begun to experience genuine quality shaving soap ( and cream for travel ) until you’ve dipped your badger brush into a bowl of Geo F. Trumper . Luxurious would be an understatement when it comes to GFT’s shaving products . And pre-shave oil ? If you haven’t already , buy it and use it ! No matter what the soap/cream a good pre-shve oil takes it up an entire notch. My recent choices being Origins ” Easy Slider ” and L’Occitane’s ” Cade ” Leave ArtOfTheShaves on the shelf . Its not worth the price of entry 😉
glad you enjoy this stuff as well. i have tried Geo F. Trumper stuff….i do like the spanish leather line….their line is much more affordable than Knize…..although not nearly as beautiful to use as Knize or even Proraso has been. I do have a pre-shave oil and agree with you—it makes it even nicer.
My attitude is ; If you’ve gotta shave ( and unless you want a full beard .. you do ) you might as well do it right . Its far to much work to do it poorly ( both comfort and results ) BTW For my beard ( heavy .. having a 5 o’clock shadow by 12 noon ) and face ( sensitive ; great combo … not ) the Geo F Trumper has been the best . The two you like don’t seem to suite my skin/beard as well . Price wise though . at least West of the Miss. all three are about dead on equal . WHEN you can find them
example ; GFT shaving soap only ( no dish ) $45
But that is the caveat when it comes to shaving products done right . First being they do cost …. second is what right for you may not work at all for someone else . You’ve got to experiment around … put labels aside and use what works best … for you .
So what’s your experience if any with ArtOfTheShave ? Mine is summed up as above . The quality not being equal to the price ….
i totally agree with you about Art Of The Shave….i think it’s more gimmick and hype than substance.
I also snagged a KNIZE Bowl from Colonial…. Lovely stuff indeed.
nice! i’m sort of a Knize addict….if i’m honest!
Loved readinng this thank you