So 6 months into my wetshaving career and I've almost switched completely from creams to soaps. In another 6 months I could pull another complete 180 and be right back to using creams 6 days/wk. In my brief beginning with soaps I've been able to get some of the better soaps out there from what I read. Tallow, lanolin, shea butter all seem to work well for me and I really like/need the moisturizing effects. Now I'd like you to tell me which one I just can't go another day without lathering and putting all over my mug! Here's what I have currently: MWF in ceramic dish De Vergulde Hand - tablet and 2 sticks (of different formulations too) Provence Sante Green Tea Cella RazoRock XXX - on the way, haven't used it yet Arko If interested here are my creams: TSD Wheat Speick CO Bigelow / Proraso / Omega Musgo Real Godrej Dettol
I like the Proraso soap - particularly the sensitive skin version in the white container. Though I find myself doing the opposite TBH and seem to be moving towards creams from soaps LOL. I'd also suggest trying out Tabac and Erasmic
I've thought about the Proraso soap, but I'm very interested in things I haven't used yet. Remember, I'm new to this and I enjoy trying new things. The Tabac is definitely at the top of my short list. I have yet to look at Erasmic though I have heard of it.
MdC is too pricey for me right now, but I think I'll eventually try it. L'Occitane Cade I can get locally so I may when I'm at that mall again.
I know you have RR XXX coming, but at some point, try their artisan soaps. All but one (shea butter) is tallow based and at $9....I mean, come on. If you're familiar with AdP, then you know RR, as RR is a rebrand of AdP. You can't go wrong with any of the scents and the lather will make you giddy. EDIT: QCS are nice as well.
Mama Bears, Queen Charlotte, & The Shave Den all make great artisan soaps. Definitely worth a try. La Toja, Palmolive, Valobra, and Irisch Moos shave sticks are all awesome. Also, track down a puck of vintage Williams and vintage Old Spice soaps. They just don't make them like that anymore.
You've got some good performers already for soaps. Of the ones you have, I've tried MWF, Cella, and RazoRock XXX. You might want to give D.R. Harris soaps a try. For me, Arlington is the top soap, beating MWF by just a little bit. The lather is dense and slick.
Something Trumpers, something Harris, something Mama Bears, something Kells, Palmolive stick, Valobra Stick, Tabac/Irisch Moos, something RazoRock Artisan, Speick, something C&E, Cade is ok I suppose... Proraso is ok, I don't count the tubs as actual soap though and I would steer past Erasmic sticks....
I know I've been lurking around eBay lately for vintage Old Spice soaps with the mug. Only one available right now and there's some intense bidding, already had to convince the wife to let me bid on the FatBoy, not going to push it with a $30 mug of soap lol. IIRC there were some decently priced pucks of Williams vintage though.
If you want something that's pretty close to vintage, go buy D.R. Harris Almond or Lavender and let it sit out for a bit till it loses its scent haha...
TBH with the way the vintage soap prices are lately, I'm 99% certain I'd just get one of the old spice mugs and call it a day, they seem to be nice and affordable and the bulk of them available are in reasonable condition. Only have to keep an eye out though as some people use the old coffee mugs instead of shaving mugs in their auction
Well Harris isn't that expensive, my Lavender is well over a year old and I'm starting to finally like it haha.
Any TSD. I started with a purchase of about five or six sample scents. Now I just go for it and get full size refills. Tabac. TOBS. I have lavender and sandalwood and like them both.
Excellent replies so far gentleman. The list in my head is definitely being confirmed. How does the RazoRock XXX compare to the LOA soaps from them, other than different scents? Phil gave me a sample of the XXX with a recent purchase & after 1 lather I knew I'd be getting it. I thought about the LOA Boston Tea Party but I wasn't sure how different it was from XXX & after all I'm in the research phase & wanting to try different products.
Here is a favorite of mine that you can get from Gary over at Shoebox. Jeff (Crackstar) hit one out of the park when he suggested this! It is also one of the best dollar for dollar values even at regular price. On sale, even better! http://www.shoeboxshaveshop.com/fitness.html
I've heard of this before and heard mention that it's very similar to something else, though I can't recall at the moment what that something else was.
Here is Jeff's write up on it. http://theshaveden.com/forums/threa...almond-you-love-this-stuff.25275/#post-438631
Yeah, that's it. It's similar to Cella and since I've got that (and plenty of it left) I think I'll wait on trying the Fitness soap. Thanks for the recommendation though!
A very good artisan soap line is Renaissance Man. It makes a great, thick lather.. fast, and smells great.
