PAA General Thoughts?

I have not had the joy (or apparent let down) of using any of their soaps. However, I do own 3 of their products. One is the Al Fin aftershave, another is the afformentioned OC razor and the third is the Otra deodorant (which is utterly useless for me, not wearing any deo is better). I concur that the razor is mighty aggressive, especially with the heavy "Name Taker" handle that I opted for. I usually only use it if I have multiple days growth, which lately hasn't been often as I've been shaving daily. As for the AS, I've said this before. I like the scent and face feel, but wish it didn't have alum in it as it does dry out my skin. Also, this stuff is NOT long lasting like everyone raves about. Maybe 2-3 hours at the most. Again, YMMV I guess, but products like Fine and Chatillon Lux blows it out of the water. Oh yeah, I've also used the Cavendish shampoo bar. Loved the scent and performance, but it didn't last long for $6. The deodorant was a complete waste of $10 and the aftershave I believe is also overpriced at $25. Probably worth $15 at the most. There you have it, my total experience with PAA products. I've been wanting to get the DOC razor, but it's been out of stock for months and I'm starting get to lose interest as my SEs have been giving me great shaves lately.

I have not had the joy (or apparent let down) of using any of their soaps. However, I do own 3 of their products. One is the Al Fin aftershave, another is the afformentioned OC razor and the third is the Otra deodorant (which is utterly useless for me, not wearing any deo is better). I concur that the razor is mighty aggressive, especially with the heavy "Name Taker" handle that I opted for. I usually only use it if I have multiple days growth, which lately hasn't been often as I've been shaving daily. As for the AS, I've said this before. I like the scent and face feel, but wish it didn't have alum in it as it does dry out my skin. Also, this stuff is NOT long lasting like everyone raves about. Maybe 2-3 hours at the most. Again, YMMV I guess, but products like Fine and Chatillon Lux blows it out of the water. Oh yeah, I've also used the Cavendish shampoo bar. Loved the scent and performance, but it didn't last long for $6. The deodorant was a complete waste of $10 and the aftershave I believe is also overpriced at $25. Probably worth $15 at the most. There you have it, my total experience with PAA products. I've been wanting to get the DOC razor, but it's been out of stock for months and I'm starting get to lose interest as my SEs have been giving me great shaves lately.

That's your opinion though. I put it on at 7am and can still pick it up at dinner. People say that bout Stirling too, but I must have received a weak batch. I agree about the soap prices, but to call the stuff terrible is laughable. Scent wise I get, but you want terrible I give you erasmic. Go watch some lather reviews on the stuff. People who say the soap is terrible have a personal agenda, which is fine I don't care, but you stick out like a sore thumb.

EFDan, no it is not my opinion. It is reality. YMMV...FWIW, Stirling splashes don't last very long for me either.

Have you all who quibble over the advertising practices on Ronald McDonald come to realize that Mr. McDonald makes a LOT of money?

EFDan, no it is not my opinion. It is reality. YMMV...FWIW, Stirling splashes don't last very long for me either.

I want to buy another one and see if a different scent/fragrance oil makes a difference. I have a two year old tub of SC Courage and there is almost no scent left in it.

I get a very long-lasting scent from PAA. MUCH longer than Stirling. Both leave me feeling well-nourished and moisturized with excellent toning properties and a good amount of tightness. Being much less expensive, I own several scents from Stirling, and only 1(so far) from PAA. As I said earlier, if they were slightly less expensive, I would certainly own more.

I will say that the only scent I can detect longer than PAA is Brut. Brut, however pleasing the scent, does not leave me feeling even nearly as nourished and moisturized as PAA or Stirling do. Bear in mind that I use these splashes on my scalp, so the scents would presumably be even longer-lived were they on my face and thus closer to my nose.

Clearly longevity is equally as subjective as moisture and toning.

EFDan, no it is not my opinion. It is reality. YMMV...FWIW, Stirling splashes don't last very long for me either.

Reality and opinion are not mutually exclusive. It is an opinion based on your experiences, which is certainly valid, but is an opinion...

Certainly for me the draw are the unique aftershaves. The only soaps I have from them came from the love of the AS. At one point when the market wasn't so wide, they were considered one of the top dogs of soap. Now with the market the way that it is, too many excellent soap makers with their own spin on things, brand loyalty does somewhat matter. Others are turned off by the over the top "Don King" type hype. As I get older I try to ignore that type of thing In favour of finding the diamond in the "hype," but most often I don't. All that to say, I'm probably less likely to go out on a limb for a soap scent from PAA, then I am with my sure bet soap makers, many of which I have listed on other threads. The AS are a different story, last long, smell nice and multi layered.

Certainly for me the draw are the unique aftershaves.  The only soaps I have from them came from the love of the AS.  At one point when the market wasn't so wide, they were considered one of the top dogs of soap.  Now with the market the way that it is, too many excellent soap makers with their own spin on things, brand loyalty does somewhat matter.  Others are turned off by the over the top "Don King" type hype.  As I get older I try to ignore that type of thing In favour of finding the diamond in the "hype," but most often I don't.  All that to say, I'm probably less likely to go out on a limb for a soap scent from PAA, then I am with my sure bet soap makers, many of which I have listed on other threads.  The AS are a different story, last long, smell nice and multi layered.

I like the AS only as well. I only have a couple of soaps, but if you have one you have them all. I have never understood a reason to have 15 jars of Catie's Bubbles, or any other soap for that matter as the soap scent doesn't matter in most cases after the shave. AS I do because the scent actually hangs around.

The one piece of hardware I can vouch for is their DOC razor. It is mild, but surprisingly efficient.