Shaving is something that can either be a pain or a pamper depending on how you do it. Electrics never quite work right and if you are still using a Bic, it’s time to ditch your boystache and become a man. Besides don’t you rip the hell out of you face with disposables? Today I am comparing the reigning adult shaving cream, Kiehl’s to a new upstart with a classic feel, Harry’s.

Champion: Kiehl’s

The wife got me some Kiehl’s shaving cream for Christmas last year and I have been addicted to their products ever since. In fact, I had never regularly used any skin products prior to that. I don’t know what exactly Kiehl’s puts in it (maybe Walter White knows) but using them makes my face feel great all day. Who knew washing and moisturizing would make that big of a difference? I feel so much better in the morning. A 5.0 oz. tube of Close-Shavers Squadron shaving cream goes for about $20.

Challenger: Harry’s

On Facebook but this Christmastime, there was an aggressive (at least to me)series of sponsored postings for Harry’s on Facebook. The Truman Set gives you three razors, the handle and a 3.4 oz. tube of shaving cream for $15 and shipping is free. It’s sort of a high class Dollar Shave Club and they throw in the shaving cream, and if a razor handle can be sexy and affordable, Harry’s has it down. Pretty impressive as the Harry’s guys look barely old enough to be shaving themselves.

The Face Off

To see who is better, I shaved my face half with Harry’s and half with Kiehl’s. It started with a good dousing of very hot water and I used the Harry’s razor that came with my first order. Normally, I use the Shick Quattro Titanium, with costs about $13 for the handle and three blades. The refills can be about $13-$15 for four blades.

Here’s the deal, they are both high quality products. Using either one of these will make you forget about aerosol shaving cream. All of those marshmallow creams (Gillette, Barbasol, etc.) frost your face look like a cake. In fact, it’s even hard to find your face under all that puft stuff. How can you do a good job if you can’t even find your face? That’s how you cut yourself. There wasn’t a single nick with either of these creams.

The Victor

However, Kiehl’s, who has been the balm biz for 160 years, is a notch above the Harry’s. The face off score is about a Kiehl’s 10 to Harry’s 9. The Kiehl’s side was a bit closer, a little softer afterwards. They are the industry standard of shaving cream., so this isn’t too surprising. However, Harry’s is a damn good cream and can almost be but side to side with this American Icon.

BUT:

The Price

The price difference is out of control. The Harry’s razor looks cool, so for the cream and the blades to run $15, that’s quite a deal. So for now, I am sticking with Harry’s. These two newbies are on to something and I want that something in my medicine cabinet.

The Harry’s razor appears to be on par with the Quattro. But more testing is needed as I see how many times a Harry’s razor can be used. I’ve purchased plenty of low priced 5 blade razors but they wear out after one or two shaves. The Quattro I can use about five times, so we will see if Harry’s is the bargain it appears to be.