SharpSpine
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Post by SharpSpine on Feb 21, 2012 18:50:10 GMT -6
Price: I don't live in Maine so I can't purchase this product but I had some gifted to me. Thanks so much Brian! So price, even if I had paid the retail that I see others mention would certainly be worth every cent and still receive a "10" from me.
Quality: Simply superb. I've not used another product that worked so brilliantly. Mr. Krampert has a market changer on his hands here.
Fights Razor Burn: I have nothing in my post-shave arsenal that works as well as this bay rum for repairing my skin after a harsh shave.
Cooling Sensation: N/A
Scent: To put it nicely I have only ever tolerated bay rum scents and my wife has vetoed each bay rum I've let her sniff. Krampert's Finest is the only bay rum that I thoroughly enjoy the scent of and even my wife likes it. She still doesn't like the smell of it in the bottle, but something magic happens when it interacts with my skin and then it get's a two thumbs up and even a wink!
Efficacy: This stuff is the epitome of efficacy for an aftershave product. It removes any irritation and repairs the skin from a rough or harsh shave. It doesn't require a horrible alcohol burning sensation to do it either. It does not dry out your skin, in fact it has better moisturizing capability than many balms I've tried. It leaves my face/neck feeling refreshed, smooth, and soft after each use. Bottom line is that Krampert's Finest actually accomplishes what all other aftershave products set out to do.
Moisturizing: This is the reason that Mr. Krampert shared his product with me. I have pretty dehydrated skin which causes my face to overproduce oil and gives me an oily complexion. Most splashes leave me way to dry and tight while most balms leave me greasy and sticky. This bay rum hydrates my skin amazingly. If I need more moisturizing then I just use more product. It never leaves my face with that Sahara desert dry and tight feeling that so many other alcohol based splashes do. It's quite amazing what Mr. Krampert has accomplished with a splash type aftershave since it moisturizes better than many thick balms.
No Alcohol Burn: Being a bay rum I was kind of expecting a decent burn when applied after a rough shave. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of this. The most I could say that I've noticed is a gentle warming sensation that just feels comforting. Maybe that's all those quality ingredients going to work helping to repair my skin.
I said it before and I'll say it again... Krampert's Finest Bay Rum is a market changer. He's put together the best aspects of a splash, with the best aspects of a moisturizing balm and delivers it all in a classically masculine scent that makes you feel confident and wise. You won't come across as some punk kid who you can smell coming around the corner. You also won't be wondering where this amazing scent disappeared to just minutes after application. It's there subtly all day if you really look for it. This is surely the bay rum of gentlemen!
Thank you for a wonderful product!
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Post by wchnu on Feb 21, 2012 20:06:26 GMT -6
I gotta ask... why can't you buy this up there??
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SharpSpine
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Post by SharpSpine on Feb 21, 2012 21:20:48 GMT -6
I gotta ask... why can't you buy this up there?? I believe it has to do with liquor license things so it's only sold retail in Maine. At least that's my understanding which may be lacking.
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ShadowsDad
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"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
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Post by ShadowsDad on Feb 21, 2012 21:40:58 GMT -6
Nice review! Thanks! I'm the maker and it's my formulation. Why can't it be purchased outside of a few local stores here in Maine? Long story. It boils down to this. I hate the ATF. I don't want to get into bed with them because I think that when someone gets into bed with pigs one wakes up smelling like them. I have a really bad attitude when it comes to the BATF and the atrocities they've committed on US soil against American citizens. The latest being "Fast and Furious". Just google it if you don't know about it. My product contains rum, ATF controls the end product even though I've paid the tax on it when I purchased it. Since the Federal agencies get control of these items when they cross state borders I don't sell and ship any across the border. It can be purchased here by another person and they can ship it wherever, but I can't do it. I can ship samples or gifts free of charge to anyone I wish, and that's how Brian got his. But I can't make a general practice of it. Sales are excruciatingly slow locally and local sales fund the other activities. Local folks who try it love it, but it takes time to get the word out. I am going to work on reformulating it with perfume alcohol instead of rum, that'll get rid of the smell most folks dislike coming out of the bottle, but I kind of like the way it morphs after it hits the skin as it does now. I'll always make that version for myself and to give away. The reformulated version will also do away with ATF having their claws in my business; in theory anyway. They can smash the door of any citizens home in and do it with impunity. I also have a menthol splash that I've been using for awhile. I like it, but it doesn't have the universally loved scent of the BR. It uses the same moisturizer. I've also had requests from ladies for the same moisturizer in a product in a scent for them. All in time. www.krampertsfinest.comEdit: Parts of that may have read as though I was angry... not directed against anyone here. I'm very passionate about my intense dislike of the ATF.
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Post by wchnu on Feb 21, 2012 22:42:34 GMT -6
Got ya. I understand all that. we will not get off on that here. but like I agree.
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Post by johna2231 on Mar 9, 2012 14:07:18 GMT -6
I too had the opportunity to try Krampert's Finest Bay Rum After Shave. There's really little I can add to Sharpspine's fine review but I'll touch on my impressions: First off, while still in the bottle I wasn't in love with the scent -- not bad, but not, "Wow! I wish it was available in an ice cream flavor," good! However, once you put it on your face it does a complete transformation. So much so, that I've never had any AS or cologne change so much. It's much sweeter with a hint of the northwoods. Clean and masculine. My wife even loves it. And I could never say that about any bay rum (or BAD rum, as she used to call it) product. Scent however, is only one small part of the total equation when it comes to an after shave. The next is the initial feel on one's face. Very, very soothing. I use a straight most of the time and when things don't go well, they REALLY don't go well.... . Just this morning I had a somewhat rough shave from a straight I've been experimenting on with various honing techniques. Lots of razor burn on the neck. A quick splash of Krampert's Finest and all was forgiven. Even now, two hours later, my face still feels great. The final faze is the moisturizing effect. Most AS products IMHO don't do squat for moisturizing and until now I've had to pay extra money for a balm or moisturizer on top of the money I was already spending for the original AS products I was using. Now, as per Brian's directions, I simply vary the amount of KF that I put on and the moisturizing is a done deal. How great is that? Thanks Brian for sending me a generous sample to try. In addition to the standard AS, Brian sent a formulation including menthol. Most menthols I've tried were either gag me with a throat drop strong, or didn't have enough kick. This formulation has plenty of icy menthol to make my face freeze and then feel great, but not a crazy strong scent to make it unpleasant. In addition, it has all the wonderful aspects of the original formula. This stuff is the best after shave I've ever tried. I sincerely hope if Brian ever decides to market it nationwide he will give us the chance to invest in his venture. It would be about as sure a thing as an financial endeavor ever could be. If you even get the chance to try some out, do yourself a favor -- you'll be glad you did. John
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RocketMan
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Post by RocketMan on Mar 9, 2012 20:03:05 GMT -6
You make this stuff sound absolutely DELICIOUS! Too bad I'm in Canada. Getting liquids across the border - well that is pure hell!! They really don't like it at Canada Immigration, I think it makes them nervous. I will just have to live through your wonderful descriptions!!!
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Post by johna2231 on Mar 11, 2012 19:27:17 GMT -6
RocketMan,
Now that's a damn shame. You'd love the stuff! Gotta figure something out....
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Mar 11, 2012 23:33:38 GMT -6
RocketMan, there is absolutely no problem shipping to Canada. Your government couldn't care less about it. I assume that at some point duty will need to be paid on it, but I have no idea at what dollar level that kicks in. But that's between you and your government. I just fill out the customs form. One day I'll have a version that doesn't require our go'vermin to poke into my business and I'll be able to ship it wherever. I should have reformulated it this winter, but I really made it for me, and I have it, so I sort of haven't had the desire to work my way back into a job. I'm quite happily retired. I promise that I will reformulate it though. Eventually. One thing I hope that doesn't disappear after the reformulation is the way it morphs when it hits the skin. Smell it in the bottle and one might not try it. But splash it on the skin and it changes quite remarkably. I've had one woman who I gave a sample to for her husband, tell me that it's delicious. I didn't ask, I didn't want any more info than that. Now it contains Bitrex, so it's no longer delicious. After I reformulate, the Bitrex will be removed from the formula. More information about it can be found here: www.krampertsfinest.comIf the sales button is visible, it doesn't work, so don't tell me about it. It won't work until I have the reformulated version and I ask my webmaster to activate sales.
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RocketMan
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Post by RocketMan on Apr 6, 2012 23:46:03 GMT -6
Well, ShadowsDad was generous enough to gift me a sample of his Bay Rum.
I am very happy with this stuff!!! I was not sure what I was expecting, but it is indeed a lovely scented Bay Rum - seems very traditional even to me. It does indeed settle in and leave a wonderfully energized skin that just smells yummy!!
I am not very wordy when it comes to scent products as I don't really know what to say. But, what I can say is that I could see this always being my go to BR if Brian continues to produce it.
Fabulous stuff SD!!! I am very impressed! IT is so much more personal too to be using a product made carefully rather than in a 1200 gallon vat. Thnx!
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 7, 2012 16:24:55 GMT -6
Thanks! Those words were good enough. Yes, I make it by the gallon right in my kitchen. It takes 2 weeks minimum from start to finish. I like it to age longer than 2 weeks though. BTW, I love the smell in the kitchen when I making it.
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RocketMan
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Post by RocketMan on Apr 13, 2012 8:23:18 GMT -6
Still LOVING this stuff !!!!! ;D ;D
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SharpSpine
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My Flavor Sabre
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Post by SharpSpine on Apr 13, 2012 20:04:35 GMT -6
And I hear it has passed an initial reformulation phase! Here's to praying & hoping that all goes well! Please let me know if I can be of any help SD!
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 13, 2012 20:40:58 GMT -6
Yes, the first refomulation shows me that it'll work. But so as not to waste time and resources the first reformulation is also made of drinking alcohol, so I can't sell it outside of Maine. But it proved to me that Rum isn't required for the product. That's what todays formula was solely about.
I have another batch made with off the shelf pharmaceutical Isopropyl alcohol steeping right now. I put it together today, and more bulk ingredients are on the way. It takes 2 weeks minimum for a batch and I won't/can't rush it. So the soonest I can have a reasonable amount ready to "go" is a month. Of course I'll have the 2nd test reformulation sooner than that if it works out. That'll be in 2 weeks.
Edit: OK, here's more... the reformulation actually has a few benefits other than the obvious... Gone is the, from my viewpoint, hated Bitrex. From your standpoint if you get it onto the ips or mouth no bitter taste. Too, a kiss on the cheek won't have your loved one wishing they hadn't.
I detect no negatives to the refomulation. Other than not using regulated alcohol it's identical.
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 28, 2012 15:33:24 GMT -6
It's the 2nd and final reformulation. Actually the 2nd reformulation has some very distinct advantages, and I see no disadvantages to it at all. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. I strongly suspect it will be available for national sales on the website in a few weeks. There are some changes that need to be made to the site to update it, but mostly I need to get enough stock on the shelf to open up sales. It takes 2 weeks per batch so it's at least that far away. Hey, cut me some slack, I'm retired!
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