I think it's safe to say that the shaving soap/cream market has seen an explosion in recent years. Countless threads can be found about the "latest and greatest" soaps and if you suffer from soap acquisition disorder (SAD), like I do, you are left with a never-ending list of new soaps that you "need" to try (even though you have enough soap inventory to last for years). I think that shaving soaps/creams are one of the most subjective items in a shaving den, and it would be impossible for anyone to buy and try everything out there without spending a small fortune. That's not to say that some of us haven't made a strong effort in our search for legendary lather. The question remains..."Is there a better way?"...and I think there is.....please hear me out. What if there was a "cost effective" way to receive shaving soap samples every few months, and in return you share your honest thoughts and perhaps post some pictures of your experience. Some friends and I have decided to create a new concept in shaving soap reviews. Small groups are formed and communicate via a PM thread, then each member takes his/her turn as the "host" who is then responsible for supplying a soap sample to each of the other members of the group for review. They can choose whichever brand, scent, and formula that they wish for the group to review, and their combined results will be posted in a soap review thread. The goal is to take one soap, and sample it from different perspectives. As a member you get the opportunity to try and test various different soaps/creams, and when it's your "turn", you can either share from your current inventory, or discover a new soap to have reviewed. I think it's a great opportunity for den members to interact and is perfect for anyone regardless of where you are on your shave journey. I can say from experience that in the short time spent to put this project into motion, I have already met a great group of guys that I can call friends.
Not a bad concept. However, don't most soap artisans supply samples? Also, they are fairly inexpensive to try. Fortunately, for me, I have found my favourite soap.
I think this is a great way to try new soaps that you maybe would've never thought to try or buy. Having read many of JR's reviews on different soaps and then buying them for myself, this will be a GREAT experience for all that get involved. I look forward to following the progess of this fun soap exchange. Kerry
I don't understand your point. Isn't this what we are doing already on the board? Granted, we are doing it more informally than I read your proposal, but don't see the distinction you are trying to make. I read, for example, SOTD and see what people like & don't like. When I run across a new (to me) product I will usually write at least a quick review and I have read a huge number of reviews on here. Are you trying to gather statistical data? What am I not seeing?
It actually just sounds like a fun little project to meet and interact with others. I see a benefit of JRs plan is that I might be asked to try soaps I never would have found or known about. I find SOTD very useful for the reasons you state, but JRs idea really seems to be about making friendships and sharing experiences with TSD friends. It would also let me try more things without risking being stuck with tins of soap I won't use!
I like that concept quite a bit. Every other month, or so, a package arrives with a new soap for you to try out and review in a collective way. Great idea.
I really like the idea! But since I've got too many soaps 'n' creams right now I first have to use up what I've got. SWMBO won't be too happy if more soaps accumulate... So if you give me a couple of years, I'd be happy to join!
After using Williams and VDH for far too many years I finally found my holy grail too - a kilo of Cella soap, a really nice soft soap with non-stop lather
I think the Soap Review Crew is a great idea. Googling generally yields a number of reviews across various forums for the more commonly found soaps. The less well known, not so much. Given that there are thousands of soaps out there, having multiple people try relatively unknown products would be very useful indeed. With a single review, people might be wondering "OK, it worked for him, but will it work for me?" Now if multiple reviewers give thumbs up or thumbs down, that makes it a lot more conclusive. Maybe the rest of you have different takes on the idea, but that is how it seems to me. Excellent idea!
Cella kilo has a wonderful almond scent, just press a piece in your shave bowl or mug start to lather (I always face lather w Boar or horse hair brush) I Rewrap kilo and put in Fridge. This soap lathers up better than VDH (Van der Hagen) ever did, brush whips up a nice lather. My razor, and beard love this stuff, razor just glides and snips off almost every hair on the first pass but I always lather up again, little bit of touchup and done. So it seems , my brush seems to say do me again, do me again, and look at that razor just smiling with that ya, ya look, but tomorrow is another BBS. But seriously by the end of the week it seems that no soap has been used. Makes me think that Cella soap has a replacement angel that comes with every Cella kilo. Maybe that's why they say a kilo of this soap lasts two years with daily shaving. Well, found the sweet spot and that my story and I'm stickin to it.
