Hey Sidney

Yes I have used the Wilkinson Sword shave bowl soap and found it to be not bad. The smell is the classic Gillette shaving foam smell but it is quite nice and fresh. The lubrication in it is from added silicon which sounds a bit naff but it seems to work OK. I think this soap would be better for shaving with a DE though. I use the bowl however for other soaps as it is quite handy

I thoroughly recommend the Palmolive Shave stick that you sometimes find stocked alongside the Wilkinson Sword shave bowl (in Morrisons, Super Drug, Asda etc). This stuff is very good for straights, is dirt cheap and the smell is in a different class. I use one as it was meant, as a stick, and I have also “pressed” another in to the above shave bowl for general use. Do not try melting the stuff however as it will not melt under any circumstances and practically comes alive if you try it in a microwave!!

You occasionally also find the Palmolive cream in the same places and this is pretty good too but I prefer the shave stick on all accounts. I think I prefer soaps in general but I have not had the pleasure of trying many creams.

So yes, it is the internet and all its heady temptations that does most of the work for shaving goods for me. Our American friends here are quite spoilt when it comes to choice in this game and I am envious!!

Cheers
Ray