TABAC original Shaving Cream

This morning was testing time for a product from the 60’s;  the TABAC Shaving Cream.  Back then it had a rather large following and this morning it became clear why that was.  I vaguely remember this brand when I was a kid.  It could be found everywhere from the pharmacies to the department store perfume counters.

A little while back, a conversation with other wet-shaving enthusiasts touches on different fragrances of that time period; Sandalwood, Bay Rum and Tobacco.  This led to the TABAC brand.  A little Google query pointed out that this brand was still alive and well and that a number of TABAC products were sold on the FENDRIHAN site.  At $11.25 for a 100 ml tube, the price seamed fair and I placed my order.  This was a first experience with Fendrihan and I pleased to get my purchase within 2 days via Canada Post.

TABAC is a German brand that started in 1959.  We might stereotype a little and assume that Germany mostly focuses on quality industrial manufacturing; producing high end luxury cars, coffee machines and other such consumer goods, but there is also a “shaving” product industry.  Think of the MERKUR razors.  The MERKUR 180 still is my “Go-To” razor and my reference point when comparing any other razors.

TEST STAGE:

• State: Out of the shower
• Razor: Merkur 180
• Blade: Treet
• Pre-Shave: None
• Shaving Cream: TABAC Original
• After-Shave:  L’Oréal Sensitive After shave Cream

So straight out of the shower and onto the shave in order to benefit from the moisture.  I squirted out about the size of dollar to apply.  The cream feel like a thin toothpaste at first, but it softens and applies itself very well.  I quickly realized that adding a bit of water on my face and hands, made the application easier and increased the lubrication.  I didn’t use my badger brush for this test.

The shave was  perfectly comfortable.  Actually considerably more than I was expecting.  This cream somehow prepped my skin and beard as if I had used a pre-shave.  It is quite discreet and there is no tingling or cooling sensation.  The scent reminded me of eucalyptus at first but that isn’t it.  I will have to work my nose some more to figure it out.  It is strong but not over-powering.  Certainly old-school but not dated or old.  This scent is so subdued that you will barely notice during the shave and there will nothing left by the time you rinse.

The blade moved effortlessly on my skin which felt well insulated and protected.   The cream dries fairly fast on your face and in that aspect alone it reminded me of shaving soap. Adding a touch of water to the mix between passes revived the little cream left with great success.

I was expecting this cream to be somewhat hard to rinse out of the razor, but was pleasantly surprise to see that this was not the case.  It rinsed off without trouble.  On the face the cream has good adherence, but again I was surprised to see that the razor blade would collect most of the cream in its passage and that this cream would practically slip off the razor. although little cream was left behind, a touch of water was enough to bring that back to a perfectly lubricated surface.

Something this slippery usually tends to be a bit of pain to wipe off your skin.  Not at all.  A warm wet wash cloth wipe was enough to clean it off.

I am happy to report that I suffered no irritations, reactions or redness.  The results were impeccable.  This is certainly a top shelve product.  As far as a shaving cream goes, it offers phenomenal lubrication and very good insulation.

Use these links to shop for the TABAC Original shaving cream: