Green Mountain Soap is run by the parents of our own "soapbox," both of whom, by the way, worked for NASA. So this is truly rocket science soap! GMS has been around for years making liquid and solid soap (some glycerin and some tallow based) targeted toward those with allergies and skin sensitivities. Then, several years ago, soapbox joined a certain shave forum of which we were both members and got his folks thinking about adding a shave soap to their line up. I was asked to be one of the beta testers of the many trial soaps that have led up to the ones now found in the line up... all of which are tallow-based. There are several scents available along with unscented and there are matching bath soaps. Performance.... great! Once I load my brush I easily get enough lather for 3 passes and then some. The lather is very slick and cushiony. The lather tends to be thick and dense as opposed to airy and light. Scent... I'm not the best judge here due to sinus issues. But, they tend toward the light side on the scented scale in the dry puck. Once lathered the scent seems to get lighter and the tallow undertone is a bit more noticeable. But, this is in no way off putting. The scents I've tried are all quite nice and are unique variations on the classics. Pricing is in line with other shave soap offerings. Of note, there is a $20 minimum order, but that shouldn't be an issue... just throw in a bath soap or two. Finally, a unique quality: while the special edition shave soaps are formed in the "traditional" puck shape, the regular shave soaps are more spherical... actually they remind me of mini Death Stars with the parabolic dish being your lather-making site. They should fit into a mug just fine, but they are too tall to fit in the usual jars. Bottom line... highly recommended! edit: ingredients can be found on the website under our products | our soap and further info under FAQ. (I was not in any way compensated for this review.) edit2: You might miss it on the website, but their paypal software doesn't compute postage correctly (it considers each item as a separate package). They are aware of this and will refund you any overage.
Nice review, Rich. There's always a shaving market for a good tallow-based soap that provides slick lather. They are certainly my preference. 'Lavendar/Grapefruit' sounds interesting, too. It looks to be some good goods... Unique shape, too. One man's Death Star is another man's skateboard wheel...
I didn't find an ingredients list, but it does seem like an all natural and a decent one from your depiction. I'm always on the look out for the super mild AN's and it's nice to know there's yet another choice around. Thanks for the good review..
You can find ingredients on the website under our products | our soap and further info under FAQ. I just noticed that SRD (straight razor designs) also carries GM shave soap.
Rich, I've been on a soap buying binge again and have ordered some GM but haven't received it yet. I know this has nothing to do with your thread but I've been really impressed with some of the other artisan soaps I've tried lately, mainly, Synergy. Besides Synergy, I also ordered a puck of Petal Pusher Fancies which is supposed to be fairly close to Synergy in make up but offers some different scents. The skin care, lather and shave quality have been superb. Looking forward to experimenting with these soaps.
Feel free to post your own mini-review of GMS here when you get the chance. I'll be interested to hear. I have a puck of synergy / cavandish waiting for either next week or the week after. I'm kinda a sucker for a good artisan soap, but always wait for a review first. I've been burned too many times. As to petal pushers, I'm not brave enough to order something with that name. lol.
I did receive my GM soap and shaved with it this morning. If I get time I'll comment on it today or tomorrow.
Received my GMS Lavender Grapefruit. Smells great and lathers like crazy. Can't wait to shave with it in the morning!
Hello, Friend! Would you say that it would be possible to rub the death star on your face like a stick?
Possibly, I would moisten it first. It is a strange shape. My guess it was made for a shaving mug. Very Happy with the test lather.
I'm sitting on their website right now. Triple milled tallow is very tempting. The GMS company is about 1.5 hours from me. I could probably drive there and be back for this evening's shave. Ha! Will you be using it soon? I'm waiting to hear what you think.
"Will you be using it soon? I'm waiting to hear what you think." Yes, in the morning will report tomorrow. Scent from the puck or Death Star is nice. Muted once lathered. My last soap for the year.
I was trying to think how many triple milled artisan soaps I've come across and can't think of any. This sounds like a good change of speed.
Not sure I would classify them as artisan. If I remember correctly they have a factory. Don't think I've ever read definitions for "artisan", but in my mind it refers to one or two people making products, usually in some sort of small setting. I haven't researched it by any extensive means but I think the equipment for triple-milling is rather big.
