I really only have two; Stirling, and Mystic Water others, like RazoRock, Mama Bear, Beer Soap Co, etc - just didn't cut it [for me]. On my, really want to try list, are; - Mike's Shaving Soaps, - Catie's Bubbles, and - KnockOut
That's right...I also need to try knockout tallow soap. I almost forgot about that one. @Darkbulb you haven't tried B&M or Tiki? Your current wish list has some winners. I suspect your starting lineup will increase after you try those soaps.
Living in Denmark it has been hard to get these soaps without having to pay ridiculous transport costs and risking incurring a fine for importing from outside the E.U. BUT there are a couple of english website for the beginning to sell these soaps. I'm quite excited to try some of these artisan soaps. I would like to try, in no particular order : 1 barrister and mann 2 Tiki 3 Caties Bubbles 4 Soap Commander 5 The Strop Shoppe 6. TSD. Does the TSD shop deliver to Denmark?
I know your pain on the shipping cost but at least in Korea then never tax or fine for my shaving gear. They are just looking for LV bags and other designer fashion products. I guess shaving soap et al doesn't bother them.
Try this place based in the UK, so no customs charges in the EU as you mentioned.. http://www.shavingstation.co.uk/shaving-soap/ Or this one http://www.shavingtime.co.uk/
Thank you! I was just trying to figure out how to ask this question, and you did so quite elegantly. Despite being labeled 'Artisan', Razorock to me didn't seem to fit the bill. They seem to be a pretty big operation. Multi national in fact. My soap has clearly been pumped into the container with some kind of machine. I am not solely picking on RR. A lot of soaps being mentioned are the kind of stuff carried by almost all online vendors. That also didn't strike me as being particularly artisan. I guess 'artisan' to me, means these things; handmade, small batch, with direct only sales. TSD soap would be s perfect example. Your soap can be amazing quality, but if you are loading up semi trucks to take it to your international shipping hub, I can't consider your product to be artisan any more. And that in no way diminishes the product. Success is ok. But so is being honest about that success.
My list today, which changes often. Not really in order as that is impossible. 1. Ginger's Garden. Sooooo Good. The Vegan and Tallow alike (she also does a glycerine for less), and custom scents from an extensive scent list. 2. Catie's Bubbles. Forget making your own scent. They do it better than you can, and the soap is faultless. 3. Barrister and Mann. This is another soap with no faults. 4. Stirling. Some scents are hit and miss, but nothing is as slick, and nothing leaves my face feeling better. And if you like menthol, best face-freezers on the planet! 5. LA Shaving Soap. Best Fougere scented soap (Topanga Fougere), and I love my fougeres! Could easily be on the list: Tiki, Maggards, Phoenix, Soapy Bathman, Soap Commander, Grandstaff. Obviously there are a lot I haven't tried.
I really want to try caties bubbles, soapy bathman, soap commander, mystic waters, and barrister and mann.
A list of my top 5 'artisan' soaps, based upon performance and scent… Martin de Candre L'Occitane Cade Mitchell's Wool Fat Valobra Mike's Natural
I haven't used enough artisan soaps to have a top five list, but of the one's I've tried: 1. Mystic Water 2. Stirling 3. Calani I like many RazoRock soaps, but since RazoRock doesn't actually make any of their soaps I won't list them. Some that I've tried that don't make the cut for various reasons: Mike's, Mama Bear, Ogallala Bay Rum Co (but I love their aftershave!). Since I'm trying to whittle down my soap & cream collection, I really don't have interest in trying any others for now. It's been quite a while since I last bought a soap or cream.
Is MdC considered as an artisan soap ? Then its one of the greatest soaps ever made easily in top 2 list. Second being Wickham. Not sure about Top 5 yet !
My current top artisan soaps: 1. Seifenglatt 2. Maggards 3. Catie's Bubbles 4. Barrister & Mann (I have yet to replace what I previously owned) 5. (Tie) Honeybees and Mystic Water What I don't care for: I once tried Mike's Barbershop Scent - it smelled like Vicks Vapo Rub to me. I failed to smell the Barbershop scent. Perhaps, it was an isolated incident. It was a good performer but I ended up throwing it away. Tiki Bar ( non tallow) most of their scents smelled the same to me. Too sweet. Too fussy to lather. Previously ordered various samples of Stirling. Fine performers but several smelled like dirt to me. I mean no disrespect here. I ended up throwing them away. What's currently on order: WSP and Cold River.
