Your Top 3-5 Soaps

Discussion in 'Shave Soaps' started by Blah, Sep 9, 2016.

  1. Blah

    Blah New Member

    Please post your top 3-5 soaps.
    I know it's hard for some to narrow down.

    Just interested in what people favs are.
     
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  2. SpeedyPC

    SpeedyPC Well-Known Member

    First Tier:
    Mitchell's Wool Fat
    Haslinger Sheep Milk & Lanolin (very similar to MWF)
    LEA Classic Shaving Soap
    Pre De Provence No. 63
    Tabac Soap & Stick

    Second Tier:
    La Toja Shaving Soap Stick
    The Body Shop Maca Root Shave Cream

    Third Tier:
    None at this stage.

    Sold:
    Martin de Candre Scented
    Mike Natural Soaps
    Dr Harris Windsor
    Santa Maria del Fiore Sapone da Barba Shaving Soap

    In the Bin:
    Nivea Sensitive Shaving Cream
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2016
  3. Halvor

    Halvor Well-Known Member

    I'll play :)

    Phoenix and Beau
    Martin de Candre
    Jabonman/Eufros
    Barrister and Mann (glissant)
    Saponificio Varesino (beta 4.1)

    Limited myself to five in the list above, though for me it's more a matter of having found a few that DON'T work, while I could easily have listed plenty top ones (Cold River, Mickey Lee, Bufflehead, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Haslinger (Schafsmilch), Grandstaff, Mike's, Queen Charlotte, Meissner Tremonia (Pots of Milk)). I have Wickham 1912 (Cashmere) inbound from UK, which according to reports will likely hit the top list too. When performance is about equal, it's scent that distinguishes. The choice each morning depends on the mood, plus variation for variation's sake.
     
  4. youngunn

    youngunn Where's my TSD aftershave balm???

    Barrister and Mann (Glissant)
    Cold River Soap Works (Select v.2, but Oliva is pretty great too)
    Tabac
    Haslinger Schafmilch
    Soap Commander
    Stirling

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
     
  5. SHAVEWIZARD420

    SHAVEWIZARD420 Well-Known Member

    My top 5 seem to change as time goes on, but currently:

    I Colonaili
    Phoenix & Beau
    Viking soap & cosmetics
    Wholly Kaw Tallow
    B&M Glissant
     
  6. PLAla

    PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

    A top 5 for me, in no particular order:

    Mitchell's Wool Fat
    Soap Commander
    Stirling
    The Shave Den
    La Toja
     
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  7. Bussemand

    Bussemand Well-Known Member

    I have many that I like very much, but these were the ones that made me say "wow!" out loud, after trying them the first time.
    -Pannacrema Nuavia red, blue and green
    -L'occitane Cade

    Take into account that I haven't had much experience with American artisan soaps, besides Mama Bear (my den is 99% European), and that a lot of otherwise highly praised soaps like MdC leave my skin a little on the dry side.
     
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  8. Norcalnewb

    Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

    Stirling
    Route 66
    Chiseled Face
    Palmolive Classic
    MDC
     
  9. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    So many on my list still to try. Of those I have, and I would hope everyone gets to experience;

    Arko - inexpensive, strong scented, effective.
    Cremo - locally available, by itself or mixed with others.
    Gingers Garden - tallow variety, great performance & scent.
    Stirling - only a sample, but great lather, very slick.
    C.O. Bigelow - menthol creme, good stuff that works well.

    Others that I like, or want to try;

    Barrister & Mann -enjoyed a sample, I'd like to try more.
    Strop Shoppe - discontinued, but the Maggard's samples were great.
    Le Pere Lucien - a fine French soap, top end stuff.
    Mitchell's Wool Fat - I haven't yet, but it sure has a following.
    Saponificio Varesino - Italian soap, light scent but great performance.
     
  10. Straight razor dandy

    Straight razor dandy Stuck cleaning the house himself PERMANENTLY

    When performance is about equal, it's scent that distinguishes. The choice each morning depends on the mood, plus variation for variation's sake.[/QUOTE]

    The above is so true.

    I base my choices on the following...and in this order:

    1. Quality. The lather, cushion, and glide.
    2. Variety. I really like different options, particularly in scents.
    3. Availability. Can I easily get it?
    4. Sustainability. Has this company been around a while, and will they likely continue to be around? If I fall in love with a soap/scent, will I be able to re-buy it again, or will it be discontinued?
    5. Price. Even the most expensive soaps really don't cost much when broken down on a per-shave basis. While this is a big concern for some, it is a consideration for me...not a concern.

    Stirling Soaps
    Mama bear soaps
    Mickel Lee soapworks
    Barrister & Mann
    Taylor of Old Bond Street
    Truefitt and Hill

    I put 6, sorry...not sorry.

    On the cusp of joining the list: Penhaligon's

    All of the above offer tremendous quality and variety. I really love artisan soaps, and if/when you get deep into this hobby you will too. The best Artisans offer high quality, low price, easy availability, and tons of scent options. Some of them are quite new to the market, however, and for various reasons, may not last.

    There are some very high-quality soaps that I enjoy, but don't have many (or any) scent options. Tabac, martin de candre, Mitchell's wool fat fall into this category.

    High on my list to try:
    Cold River Soap works (in the mail)
    Mystic Waters (in the mail)
    Route 66 (in the mail)
    Catie's Bubbles (in the mail)
    Saponificio varesino
    Pannacrema Nuavia


    There are some great lists on this thread. Everyone values things differently, but if you pull some soaps off this thread and try them out, you will have some great choices to work with for sure.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2016
  11. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

    Where's the love for Proraso ? The sensitive green tea and oatmeal is a winner for me. Slick with a bit of cool.

    2) Cella
    3) Mitchell's Wool Fat
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2016
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  12. SpeedyPC

    SpeedyPC Well-Known Member

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 9, 2016
  13. Straight razor dandy

    Straight razor dandy Stuck cleaning the house himself PERMANENTLY

    Proraso is good, but there are better soaps out there. The white line is the best of the bunch IMHO, but they all leave a film behind.

    Their aftershaves on the other hand, are top notch. Particularly their white line aftershave balm. It is one of the top performing balms in existence.
     
  14. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

    I'm only keen on the new formula green tea / oatmeal. The others don't do it for me. Don't even like the other scents. Having said that I think it will surprise those who did not like Proraso originally.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Bobcat

    Bobcat Well-Known Member

    I have 10 that are pretty much tied for "Top 5" status. YMMV and mine is always subject to change.
    This list is not in any order of preference.

    Stirling
    Route 66
    CRSW "Original"
    Reef Point
    WSP Rustic Shaving Soap
    Los Angeles Shaving Soap
    Martin de Candre
    Maggard
    Catie's Bubbles
    Henri et Victoria
     
  16. Norcalnewb

    Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

    If you are also considering creams, I would have to add Musco Real Classic SC. It is my special occasion cream. Slick, cushion, and wonderful scent.
     
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  17. Rusty blade

    Rusty blade The Good Humor Man

    My top 3 - 5:

    MWF
    Haslinger Schafmilch
    B&M Unscented
    Cella
    Proraso white

    Ask me next week and I will have some of the same and maybe some new ones...;)
     
  18. PLAla

    PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

    I enjoy Proraso too! I left it off my list earlier but could easily add it in. The White and Green are more likable for me than the Red. Haven't tried the Blue cream yet but want to.
     
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  19. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    Stirling
    Tabac
    The Blades Grim
    La Toja
    Italian Barber/ RazoRock
     
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  20. mikewood

    mikewood Well-Known Member

    In no particular order...

    Mitchell's Wool Fat
    Taylor Of Old Bond Street Almond
    GEO F Trumper Eucris.
    Stirling Brutish.
    Cella.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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