So, I am a huge fan of VDH. I admit it. No shame, I know. Thing is, I haven't ever used anything else (well, Proraso and Body Shoppe creams...but I mean soap-wise). I finally got a nice little C&E BBB that I haven't debuted yet...but I will soon. When I do, I was wondering if I shouldn't match it with a C&E soap? Not for any "brand" purposes, but simply because I love the smell (love that Nomad smell....mmmm...). That said, I don't want to pay $10 for a bowl...I mean, the refill puck is only $8, and with the variety of online coupons available, I think I can get at least a good 20% off...so the soap will be nice and inexpensive (I like that right now). If I just get the soap, though, what should I use for the bowl? I mean, if I did splurge and get the bowl, will it fit any other company's refills? Or will I be stuck with a C&E bowl only, and then if I don't like the soap a wooden bowl for change???
I got a puck of Nomad as a gift-it was a refill w/out a bowl. I used a cereal bowl from our kitchen for a few weeks. I like the stuff so much I bought a second one in the bowl. It'll take me a long time to get thru both pucks, but that's ok with me, I love the stuff.
I got a puck of c & e sandalwood from a friend- the stuff lasts forever. I've used VDH as well and it outlasts a puck of VDH. The puck's larger than a VDH puck and the soap just seems to last longer. As for the bowl, you can fit a refil puck into a cereal bowl. The c & e bowl is nice, though, and I think (don't know for sure) that it will fit refils from some other brands.
Follow up question...with the bigger pucks in the cereal bowls...do you rinse them out after loading, or just leave the bit of soap foam/buildup to save the soap from the rinsing? I would think that all the rinsing would eat up the soap faster? Also with the wooden bowls, do they stand up to the rinsing?? I realize that they probably have a bit of waterproofing and/or a good water-resistant wood...but still...
The C & E bowels have a bit of an odd shape to them. The taper of the round part of the soap and bowel is pretty severe. A rather wide half oval if you will. I would say that not many other soaps would fit in it right away. With that said you can alway melt any soap down to pour into any bowl. Not having done this myself I cannot give you direction on how to. But there are many threads here that explain just how to, and explain how easy it is. Back to the point. Is it worth it to get the C & E Bowel? I'd say yes. First because it's good soap. Their fragrance is outstanding. You'll end up with more pucks in the future and then you'll have a bowel to put them into that fits perfect. Second because it's a handsome bowel. It's much more debonair then stacks of tupperware. (Though I am guilty of using tupperware to store my shower soaps in places less visible in the bathroom) Now as for rinsing goes. Puck in the cereal bowel doesn't really matter you can pick the puck up and put it in a storage container and it will be fine but will not be as pretty as it could be. I light rinse wont wash away too much. And lets face it, those pucks last so long anyway. So either way no matter really. If you were to have the C & E bowel my suggestion is this. I flip mine upside down, rinsing the bottom and sides, then put the lid on. Any residual lather is spared for tomorrow on the inside and the outside is pristine and handsome like my face now is after my shave. Wooden bowels generally face little decay as long as their maker seals them properly, as C & E appear to do. "Welcome in the Lion's name. Come further up and further in." -Sir Reepicheep Cheers C. S. Budzi Also Nomad scent is great, however the Sienna scent puts Nomad to shame : P
Grazzi for the replies...food for thought. With the birthday coming up I think I will ask for the bowl, and buy the refill on my own to have. I have to disagree on the scents, though...I personally like Nomad more than Sienna...too much sandalwood in the sienna for my tastes, but then again, it does all come down to personal taste, right? Therefore more Sienna for you, and more Nomad for me! heh heh heh
