Ok guys I have a desire to see what is out there in the way of soaps to improve my results. I have a medium coarse beard and somewhat sensitive skin, and like a medium to mild razor (on my '63 Slim using Rapira Platium Lux blades I shave on a setting of 3/4). The soaps I have the most expirence with are Williams Mug Shave Soap (that's what I started with back aroumd '79), VDH Delux/ Luxury (this is what I get since I can't find Williams in the store any more) and Poraso Red (which I don't really like). I want a soap that is a little slicker and with better lifting properties, but I really don't want to spend more than $10 or $12 before shipping. What do any of you think?
Within your parameters? Arko Cella La Toja Proraso I really think any or all of those are better soaps. My serious recommendation? Don’t look at dollar amount per tub, but cents per ounce. Then go look at Stirling soap. You will never spend less money for a better soap. I promise you. Plus 1 oz samples at a couple of bucks. Dozens of scents to choose from.... Other possibilities that really turn out cheap per shave, but you might have to spend a few more pennies than the $10 -$12 you mentioned: Tabac, or Pre de Provence. Haslinger is another one that can be picked up on Amazon pretty inexpensively, and is just fantastic soap.
I say buy second hand . @Linuxguile is selling some. Or go to Italian barber dot com and look at their sale or deal of the day. Sometimes you can get a 4-5oz tub for like $5. That’s crazy cheap and the soap is good. Spend 2x and go with Stirling.
De Vergulde Hand HERE - slick and great lather, very mild non-fancy fragrance. Made for over 400 hundred years by same firm.
Fine suggestions all, especially Stirling. You can also order Williams online from Walgreen's and ship to store for free. And while you're poking around here, be sure to check out the Shave Den Shop.
TSD Lanolin Soap, many flavors to choose from: https://www.theshavedenshop.com/the-shave-den-wheat-shaving-soap.html Stirling Shave Soap, many flavors to choose from: https://www.stirlingsoap.com/collections/shave-soap
I echo the Stirling suggestion. Incredible soap! Also, I second the suggestion to buy second hand. There are buy/sell/trade threads here and on other fora. I've bought and sold lots of software on BST threads and sites.
Keep in mind a cream is prehydrated so you are purchasing soap + water. Soft soaps and croaps like Proraso in a tub or Stirling are more concentrated. You get more shaves per ounce of soap. Far end of that scale are hard soaps - triple or more milled meaning the moisture has been pressed out. You are getting a near dry product that costs more and gives many more shaves per ounce. Do you have a preference about veg VS tallow? Any scent oils to be avoided because of skin reactions or dislike? Consider working backwards from your cologne or aftershave scent. You know how you like to finish so start the shave with a similar scent!
I have no particular preference in the veg vs tallow areana, as to scents I like the old time-y barbershop scents that Old Spice and Colgate used to have, but I'm open to anything except Eucalyptus I seem to remember that there was a shave soap that had a scents similar to Wella Balsa shampoo and I liked that scent too.
That should be an easy match. Stirling does make an Old Spice scent. I've enjoyed a sample, but haven't purchased a full tub yet. Still working four other samples with two more to try. I have a puck of vintage Colgate shave soap, but if it had a scent it's faded. Give this thread a day or three and other folks may chime in with more suggestions.
Another vote for Stirling. It is available with a few of the old time scents you referenced. I’d add Palmolive to the list given your parameters as well. Especially in Stick form. Awesome soap for the low price.
soap commander is very nice soap. The tubs last forever. I'm pretty sure they don't get in under your price line, but they have crazy longevity. Stirling is very ice as well. I had several pyrate cove soaps made for me a few years back , they were only 3 or 4 bucks a puck. I wasn't unhappy with those. Rose and bay rum/ginger were my faves. http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/pyrate-cove-soapworks.31749/
saponedipaolo.com is closing out all of his current stock for $10 a tub. Fantastic soap. Just don't get too attached, it's a closeout.
I am the same as I use mostly williams and enjoy it but do like to try new products and scents. For me I have found Razorock products to work well for me, i like the American Barber scent, and blue barber scent in their hard soap, both lather well and have great slickness. I also have their classic version that is a croap and smells like almonds. I also keep a tub of proraso green with AS for a great cooling sensation shave, and their red which feels like a very soft soap when applied and post shave feel. I am also going to try some stirling as they have a good rep and many scents, but cant recomend them until I try them. I also have a puck of fine american blend which is almost identical to razorock american barber. Cant go wrong with proraso, and i would suggest looking at razorock and stirling as they both have a handfull of scents.
Another scent profile. I've tried several almond, marzipan, Nobel 808 scented soaps - Cella is inexpensive, Saponificio Varesino, & my favorite is Klar Mandel with the strongest scent and quintuple milled hard soap factor. Although the aluminum tins are small by modern artisan standards the puck is old fashion Williams size. The lather treats me well, as did the other two. Cella. Especially if it has the slicker, beard lifting qualities. You'll have to try it to know how it fits your chemistry. If you like it get in on a 1kg group buy. Anyone have a particular AS or cologne they pair with almond?
