Big Boar's No4 Bay Rum
- Thread starter Bigboar
- Start date
DevonStan
Forum GOD!
There'll be trouble if you do!Ok, I probably shouldn't have trusted the opinions of two 20 yr old lads who cartridge shave.. I thought it was ok..
Thanks for the honest opinions gents! I won't tip the next batch I've got brewing away now.
And I see that Nishkins is due a drop of Greg's Gorgeous Gear. Without wishing to keep on and on...but I will anyway....Greg's home made BR plus Nishy's home made Melissa, Spice Market and Citrus Bay do, indeed, present the modern man with formidable additions to their arsenal. Honestly.
Looking forward to trying this! I need to make up some more pre shave lotions soon. Still using your lovely frankenoil on occasions too @DevonStan
DevonStan
Forum GOD!
Just HAD to report back immediately after a late night shave before bed.
37C and with a Supermax that was on its last knockings, in consequence it took an extra couple of buffs to get it super close and smooth to the touch - which is the way I like it. You might think that an application of neat aftershave straight afterwards might sting a bit or let you know all about areas that were "well scraped".
Well I'm here to tell you that that was, in no way, the case. Just a lovely pleasant warm and luxurious feeling after a generous splash on the face...utterly devoid of irritation or anything remotely untoward. Not oily like it would be after using my Frankenoil, or something like the Garnier Body Ultimate Beauty Skin Perfector Oil (£5.25 in Superdrug). No, it leaves the skin dry and smooth to the touch but not dried out and harsh.
The scent is still predominantly "cloves" according to the Mrs... and I have to agree. Not a strong fragrance and it remains to be seen how long it stays with me when I'm in my pit ... the cat will wake me several times during the night so I will know more then, but either way the experience is nothing but entirely pleasurable ( the Bay Rum, of course, not the getting up to attend upon the cat).
Finally, although I've traditionally not found the clove smell to be my favourite, on this occasion I'm savouring every moment with it.
If Greg decides (as I hope he will) to make more of this stuff and sell it then I respectfully request that he places my name and address at the very top of his his list of orders...and in a big bottle too! I'd be very happy to pay his asking price for a supply of this and am extremely grateful to have received this bottle that Greg has sent out completely at his own expense.
And so to bed.
Night.
37C and with a Supermax that was on its last knockings, in consequence it took an extra couple of buffs to get it super close and smooth to the touch - which is the way I like it. You might think that an application of neat aftershave straight afterwards might sting a bit or let you know all about areas that were "well scraped".
Well I'm here to tell you that that was, in no way, the case. Just a lovely pleasant warm and luxurious feeling after a generous splash on the face...utterly devoid of irritation or anything remotely untoward. Not oily like it would be after using my Frankenoil, or something like the Garnier Body Ultimate Beauty Skin Perfector Oil (£5.25 in Superdrug). No, it leaves the skin dry and smooth to the touch but not dried out and harsh.
The scent is still predominantly "cloves" according to the Mrs... and I have to agree. Not a strong fragrance and it remains to be seen how long it stays with me when I'm in my pit ... the cat will wake me several times during the night so I will know more then, but either way the experience is nothing but entirely pleasurable ( the Bay Rum, of course, not the getting up to attend upon the cat).
Finally, although I've traditionally not found the clove smell to be my favourite, on this occasion I'm savouring every moment with it.
If Greg decides (as I hope he will) to make more of this stuff and sell it then I respectfully request that he places my name and address at the very top of his his list of orders...and in a big bottle too! I'd be very happy to pay his asking price for a supply of this and am extremely grateful to have received this bottle that Greg has sent out completely at his own expense.
And so to bed.
Night.
Last edited:
Bigboar
Senior Member
Thank you Stan for a completly honest review of my AS, I've been fairly modest about my AS and a little nervous about sending it out to test, however, you have highlighted some of the attributes I worked into my product.
#1 Alcohol content. This is measued exactly to my personal preference, I like a little alcohol to cleanse the soap residue away, if the AS is lacking in alcohol you get a mini lather when you apply.
#2 Botanicals. Ginger added to provide a slight warmth on application, a fine balance! Black cardamom, earthy scent, too much and you're wearing a very tasty curry. Green cardamom, adds freshness.West Indian Bay leaves provides allll the scent, really hard to find, and expensive, over 10x the cost of the oil(which I didn't use). Lime, lemon and tangerine zest, purely for the oils.
#3: Scent longevity: I can't change it. It lasts as long as is natural.
#4: Clove scent: Bay Rum is close to Clove, however, true bay rum (like mine) is more savoury than clove, but still close!
#5: Skin care: A delicate mix of alcohol, witch hazel and vegetable glycerin. The balance is designed to be an astrigent, toner and mousturiser.
P.S I'm working on a vanilla bay rum..
Greg.
Mr_Smartepants
Genius Member
I love it Greg. I'd happily pay full asking price for a bottle. This stuff is going to be legendary!
Start looking into waterproof labels with a decent logo/name now.
Start looking into waterproof labels with a decent logo/name now.
p.b
Forum GOD!
What better way to test this than put it face to face (or actually: half of my face compared to the other half of my face) with my very favourite Bay Rum: Krampert's (fresh from my colleagues who recently traveled to the States.)
The Krampert's is my favourite Bay Rum smell and it leaves my skin feeling very moisturized, which is good because I tend to use Bay Rum in the winter and it needs to extra. Generally, my skin is very oily (good for wrinkles but poop for shiny faced photos) however it's at the limit of what I like. I recently gave away a ASL from a UK artisan because it just felt too oily / greasy.
Scent.
In comparison (and I'm not great at describing scents) I'd say the Krampert's is more BAY rum and Greg's 'Cat Piss' masterpiece is more bay RUM. It's definitely sweeter. Which do I prefer? Both - yes that's a cop-out but they are both absolutely gorgeous just slightly different takes on the same high quality scent theme. To me they are both refined scents rather than the Barrister & Mann smack 'em between the eye novelty scents. 10/10.
Feel.
In terms of feel it's again a winner for me. Non-oily but still gentle and has left my skin feeling soft, smooth, less wrinkly, younger and even better looking (probably). It might not be my first choice for a really bad shave but that happens once in a blue moon anyway so I don't look for that in an ASL. 9/10
Irritation.
3 hours after using it and no redness or irritation. I can't use any DR Harris, half of the Myrsols and many soaps without my skin becoming red or itchy so this is very good news so far. Hopefully I won't develop any intolerance to it over the coming days.
Nice work @Bigboar I would definitely buy this. Thanks for sending me 50ml!
The Krampert's is my favourite Bay Rum smell and it leaves my skin feeling very moisturized, which is good because I tend to use Bay Rum in the winter and it needs to extra. Generally, my skin is very oily (good for wrinkles but poop for shiny faced photos) however it's at the limit of what I like. I recently gave away a ASL from a UK artisan because it just felt too oily / greasy.
Scent.
In comparison (and I'm not great at describing scents) I'd say the Krampert's is more BAY rum and Greg's 'Cat Piss' masterpiece is more bay RUM. It's definitely sweeter. Which do I prefer? Both - yes that's a cop-out but they are both absolutely gorgeous just slightly different takes on the same high quality scent theme. To me they are both refined scents rather than the Barrister & Mann smack 'em between the eye novelty scents. 10/10.
Feel.
In terms of feel it's again a winner for me. Non-oily but still gentle and has left my skin feeling soft, smooth, less wrinkly, younger and even better looking (probably). It might not be my first choice for a really bad shave but that happens once in a blue moon anyway so I don't look for that in an ASL. 9/10
Irritation.
3 hours after using it and no redness or irritation. I can't use any DR Harris, half of the Myrsols and many soaps without my skin becoming red or itchy so this is very good news so far. Hopefully I won't develop any intolerance to it over the coming days.
Nice work @Bigboar I would definitely buy this. Thanks for sending me 50ml!
Mr_Smartepants
Genius Member
I used my dad's straight razor this afternoon (my technique sucks, so my skin is always a little raw afterwards). This splash went on with all the ferocity of a fluffy kitten! What an absolute pleasure to use. Great scent (a little sweeter from the rum) and zero irritation at all. Skin conditioning was perfect. No sting or burn, just excellent.
Top-shelf stuff this! I want more!
Top-shelf stuff this! I want more!
Bigboar
Senior Member
As much as I'd like to do that I just don't have the time or to be honest, the inclination to get the required certification. This will stay as a home made product offered only to shaving enthusiasts at cost price only.I love it Greg. I'd happily pay full asking price for a bottle. This stuff is going to be legendary!
Start looking into waterproof labels with a decent logo/name now.
I will probably get some labels made up, just for the fun of it!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Greg
DevonStan
Forum GOD!
