Thread: The Seven Wonders

Gentlemen,

From time to time, I update my preferred shave soaps and creams. Some have been permanent resident in my humble shave den for years, while others come and go. Since mine is a hyper sensitive skin coupled with a tough beard, I prefer soaps and creams created to pamper the skin. For me, a quality soap or cream must pass four important criteria: moisture, glide and cushion, with the fourth being how the product leaves the face after the shave. For what it's worth, here are my Seven Wonders, in no particular order:

Martin de Candre soap
Castle Forbes cream
Xpec
Ultimate Comfort by Truefitt & Hill cream
Santa Maria Novella cream
Esbjerg sensitive cream
BAUM.BE cream

I do not include Xpec in this group, because, as I understand, it is no longer made. That's a shame, because it is a glorious cream.

Edit: With the resurgence of Xpec recently, in the reformulated version, I have revised the 7 Wonders list above. Taylor of Old Bond Street has been edged out. The list is not in order of preference, by the way.

What are your Seven Wonders, gentlemen?

Obie , I always enjoy your expertise and opinion when you post your opinion on lathers. Sometimes I wonder how the heck you feel the things you say. I started out with Mama Bear's and have compared everything to that. I consider price and how the lather works and feels. All I can say is that I have 4 MB soaps I use on a regular basis and may have 7 flavors someday. I am a simple man and prove it here :<0)
I do know why Martin de Candre is at the top of your list.

Have not tried Santa Maria or Esbjerg so for me Barrister and Mann Seville and SRD India Bay take their place. Everything else is spot on and now once again Obie my wallet may be lighter as I go off in search of your wonderful suggestions.

Thanks

10Pups,

The ideal plan is to choose what works best for you regardless of cost. For instance, Mama Bear is a good soap. In fact, I know Sue Clark, the artisan who makes it, and have interviewed and written about her. There are many good soaps and cream — and many not so. The worst soap I have ever tried is Durance, from France. This stuff is dreadful. Fortunately, from what I understand, it is no longer made. OY!

I don't find Martin de Candre expensive in light of its celestial quality — yes, the shipping from France is high. Anyway, if you can, set some money aside for Martin de Candre. it's worth a try. Speaking of simplicity, about seven ingredients go into making Martin de Candre. That's amazing for its quality.

Xpec shave cream is also celestial. I still have a tiny bit left and try to savor it. I don't understand why it was discontinued. What is wrong with these people? There are many others worth saving for. Castle Forbes is exquisite. A topnotch cream that rarely receives mention is Santa Maria Novella. This stuff is heavenly. No, it does not produce mounds of lather, but the glide and cushion are topnotch.

Ah well, there is so much good stuff out there.

Originally Posted by JTmke

Have not tried Santa Maria or Esbjerg so for me Barrister and Mann Seville and SRD India Bay take their place. Everything else is spot on and now once again Obie my wallet may be lighter as I go off in search of your wonderful suggestions.

Thanks

Jim, neither Santa Maria Novella nor Esbjerg make massive lather, but they are superb and worth the try. Which reminds me, I'm getting low on both and starting to get nervous.

I did not mention The Art of Shaving (old formula) soap, which I have. The new version is okay, but if you can find the old formula, you are in for a treat. I understand Valobra of Italy made the old formula soaps, but I think the new formula is made in the U.S.

Not having hyper sensitive skin and a normal beard most all soaps/creams I have tried work for me. Some better than others and not for the same reasons in each case. So being relatively insensitive to the nuances between them really have no wonder soaps/creams. It is a blessing and I curse I suppose.

Bob

Of the ten soaps/creams I've owned the one that I would classify as a wonder is Castle Forbes. I also like Truefitt & Hill Trafalgar cream and D.R. Harris Arlington soap but they just aren't up to the standard set by Castle Forbes.

Originally Posted by Obie

Jim, neither Santa Maria Novella nor Esbjerg make massive lather, but they are superb and worth the try. Which reminds me, I'm getting low on both and starting to get nervous.

I did not mention The Art of Shaving (old formula) soap, which I have. The new version is okay, but if you can find the old formula, you are in for a treat. I understand Valobra of Italy made the old formula soaps, but I think the new formula is made in the U.S.

Le Pere Lucien was your last suggestion I picked up. Another very nice soap. I must say since I started down your path of creams and soaps I have really started to enjoy lathering almost more than the shave results and that is impressive.

Originally Posted by JTmke

Le Pere Lucien was your last suggestion I picked up. Another very nice soap. I must say since I started down your path of creams and soaps I have really started to enjoy lathering almost more than the shave results and that is impressive.

Jim,
Thank you, my friend. I often feel as you about the pleasure of lathering. I often go back and forth on which I prefer, lathering or shaving, and often lathering wins. Some mornings I catch myself spending about 10 minutes or so on my first lather. Of course, since I write from my home office and make my own schedule, I can afford the time. Sometimes I prefer lathering to even writing. Now that's something.

if we're talking 7 wonders we're talking the best of the best. Ordinary soaps and creams simply won't make the cut.

Penhaligon's Sartorial
Baum Be
MDC
Castle Forbes
C&S
Novella
Aqua Di Palma