[richardhead]

I've tried several 'sandalwood' scented products, but each one smells so different, I can't really say what sandalwood is supposed to smell like.

Here are some of the sandalwood scented products I've used:
Mama-Bear sandalwood scented aftershave
Mama-Bear sandalwood scented shaving soap
TGQ Sandalwood bath soap
Creed Santal cologne
QED Sandalwood shaving soap

Between all of those, I'm guessing the QED is closest to the real deal.

So what products have the most 'pure' sandalwood scent?

[zepplin]

It's almost like the differences in Bay Rums. There are a lot of differences, and, therefore, it seems to be settled by our own personnel preferences & experiences. I think Charles' scents are going to be about as good as it gets in regard to the real deal (whatever that might be).

His Sandalwood Essential Oil Shave Stick is probably as good as you're gonna get, but it still boils down to ones own opinion.

R U referring to Shave Cream, Shave Soap, After Shave, Cologne?

Mama-Bear's has a spray Sandalwood Cologne that's excellent, but it's an "F/O", not an "E/O"

You could go on and on with this one............ The world of judging "scents" is very, very sophisticated and way above us mere mortals that just happen to love "Clubman"

Good Luck,

Steve

[JohnP]

I don't know about the others, but the reason QED sandalwood soap is a little more expensive than the other QED soaps is that it is scented only with pure genuine sandalwood EO. Even AOS, which prides itself on using only EO's, doesn't make this claim for its sandalwood cream.
The stuff is pretty expensive, so most manufacturers use a fragrance oil which is a synthetic close simile of the real deal, but as you've noticed, not quite. Others, like AOS and others, do use real sandalwood, but it is blended with something else.
Hope this helps?
If you REALLY are curious, go to a natural foods store, and look for pure sandalwood oil. Should be in a tiny tiny bottle for a really not so tiny price, and take a whiff of the sampler.

John P.

[Belegnole]

Originally Posted by JohnP

I don't know about the others, but the reason QED sandalwood soap is a little more expensive than the other QED soaps is that it is scented only with pure genuine sandalwood EO. Even AOS, which prides itself on using only EO's, doesn't make this claim for its sandalwood cream.
The stuff is pretty expensive, so most manufacturers use a fragrance oil which is a synthetic close simile of the real deal, but as you've noticed, not quite. Others, like AOS and others, do use real sandalwood, but it is blended with something else.
Hope this helps?
If you REALLY are curious, go to a natural foods store, and look for pure sandalwood oil. Should be in a tiny tiny bottle for a really not so tiny price, and take a whiff of the sampler.

John P.

+1

Charles Sandalwood has been claimed by many to have the authentic scent, more so than any other.

[richardhead]

Originally Posted by Belegnole

+1

Charles Sandalwood has been claimed by many to have the authentic scent, more so than any other.

That's the info I needed. I at least wanted a benchmark sandalwood scent (provided I can't smell the real thing) to base my opinion on others. In the case of Bay Rum, although there are several Bay Rum formulations, there is the essential 'bay rum' scent that is the base of those other interpretations.

I like the QED Sandalwood. Some of the other interpretations are very 'powdery' or have a floral tone to them. I like the sharp smell of real sandalwood.

Tony.

[mr_magicfingers]

I'm not sure where you'll find it, but my wife bought me a little tin of real sandalwood a while ago. It's a very sticky resinous wood, and you sit a piece on top of a little cake of charcoal that you've lit. The smell is wonderful, strong and heady, much nicer than burning incense. She bought this out in the far east but you might be able to find some online.

J.

[Doc4]

TOBS makes a sandalwood that is nut much like sandalwood, but smells nice once you have accepted your role in life as an older gent. (Not saying you're there yet, just saying don't plump for this one until you are.)

Vulfix makes a sandalwood cream that is more like gingerbread cookies.

In your search for 'real' sandalwood, I thought I'd mention a couple places you won't find it. (Oh, and I've never tried the QED, but yeah, everyone says it's the closest to the true scent.)

[RichZ]

Have you tried Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood. I like it alot. Not sure what real sandalwood smells like to compare.