After setting aside a little bit of money to send a couple of razors off to Whipped Dog for honing service I find that I have some extra dough in my paypal account to play with. I have an empty wooden soap bowl and have decided to use the extra funds to fill it with something. I found a good deal on eBay for a refill puck of eShave Linden soap and since I love eShave's creams I was going to jump on this without a second thought, however, while researching the Linden scent I happened to come across a mention of Edwin Jagger's new Limes & Pomegranate scent and became intrigued. This lead me down a rabbit hole of web sites, soap reviews, and eBay listings until I became entangled in a four way tie for my next soap purchase. I find that I am having difficulty choosing between the four different soaps and because I like to limit my shave spending I have to choose only one. I have found vendors for each of these soaps selling at under $20, including shipping, so price difference isn't really much of a factor. So, fellow shaving people, which should I choose? eShave's Linden soap sounds very spiffy and has avocado oil in it. Institut Karite is one that I have wanted to try for a while and it will go along nicely with my L'Occitane Cade. D.R. Harris Arlington smells great and lasts quite a long time. Edwin Jagger Limes & Pomegranate is a scent combo that I would probably like and has been getting some really good reviews. I am sure that I would be happy with any of these soaps, so now all I have to do is decide which one to buy. Help me out here folks, let me know which ones you guys like and which ones you would choose.
I voted for eShave's Linden because I've never tried it and I want to read your review of it. I've tried IK (great lather, very little scent) and DRH Arlington(wonderful, but my puck isn't strongly scented). I've had EJ Sea Buckthorn and if they're similar, the L&P will have great scent and adequate lather. To tell you the truth, I ended up tossing my Sea Buckthorn soap away because I was so underwhelmed.
Of the four listed, I only have experience with the EJ, and then only the scent of the cream, not the soap. To me, the cream does not have enough lime or pomegranate scent in it to carry off the impression that the name suggests, or at least, not the same, strong, yummy scent that the EJ Sea Buckthorn has. I will send you a sample of the EJ cream if you want to try it...
I'd go with eShave. My go to is eShave Lime, and it does a great job, but another of their products, the aftershave balm, is just amazing for my skin. Ain't this journey fun?
I'll put a vote in for Harris, because while not everyone loves their scent, nobody ever complains about the lather. I've only smelled the Marlborough though.
Don't have experience with any of the choices but Provence Sante is one of the best soaps I've tried and since reviews for Institut Karite suggest the performance would be similar, I would lean towards that as a good choice. From what I recall, the reviews for the EJ soaps seem to suggest that performance is not first class.
Institut Karite is one of my favorite shave soaps. Along with Tabac, it is the best commercially produced shaving soap I have used. Prairie Creations tallow and lanolin and Kell's Original soaps cost half as much and are better, at least in my opinion.
I've never tried any of these soaps but, threw my hat in the ring for Institut Karite. Since you've never tried it I feel you would find it a more interesting and fun experience.....
Well, the overwhelming consensus seems to be Institut Karite. I will be buying a puck and will post my thoughts as soon as I give it a few shaves. Thanks for the help folks.
Jabberwock, are you familiar with Tabula Rasa croap? It's not on your list, but might be one you're interested in at some point. (I'm saving my pennies for it)... Here's an old review from Mike at Shaving101 if you're interested--Best-Kept Secret: Tabula Rasa
Yeah, I have heard good things about it. I have quite a few soft soaps and I have yet to come across one that I don't like, so I would love to try Tabula Rasa sometime soon. I have kind of been on a French soap kick lately, I have been using PdP, L'Occitane Cade, and eShave White Tea cream almost exclusively. I also have a PdP bath soap and some L'Occitane products as well. I think that the Institut Karite will fit in well with my sudden French soap obsession. I also want to try Savon Du Midi, Provence Sante, and Roger & Gallet in the near future. I try to limit my shaving purchases, but sometimes that can be difficult.
Ooh! Great taste. Of the French shave soaps, I've only tried a sample of MdC, so many that you've listed are on my bucket list. Looking forward to your IK review. Word. I'll need to sign up if Raven starts an Anti-Haul/purchase hiatus club .
I have only tried the Harris Arlington, and I do not hesitate to recommend it. The scent is decent yet mild enough that is is not really a factor. The lather is superior.
Personally, I would save the money and possible let down and go with Mike's. as far as soaps go it just CAN'T be beat. Of course ymmv and it isn't on the list... Just my .02
I have used Mike's in the past, they're good soaps, but they're not what I am interested in at the moment.
I have never heard of Institut Karite, but that seems to be the popular choice. I mus be missing out... have to give it a try.
