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Hi guys, I was thinking about getting another soap, and the brand choice is Dr Harris, however I'm not sure about the scent. I'm between the Arlington and the Windsor. I have a Mitchell wool fat and a tabac puck, I would like to ask to some of you who have experience with these scents if either the Arlington or the Windsor scents are comparable to MWF and tabac. Also I'm looking for a masculine scent, not so soapy like MWF.
Thanks everybody.
DR Harris Windsor is one of my favorite shaving soaps - hands down...smells like a museum or a 19th century British Officer's Club LOL!
Not so fond of the Arlington...little too sweet for me.
Hi William, I use MWF in my rotation, along with Arlington and Marlborough.
I've not tried the Windsor but can say the Arlington and Marlborough are a good complement to MWF.
I find them slightly more subtle than MWF but that's just me :).I have not used Tabac.
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DR Harris soaps are not very masculine.
They are gentle IMHO.
windsor>arlington
With the exception of lavender and sandalwood, D.R. Harris scents usually include some refreshing citrus undertones, but all D.R. Harris scents are fairly light.
D.R. Harris produces some of my favourite toiletry products and they are also quite good in their fairly extensive shaving soap range, usually not the strong point of British shaving soap/cream makers.
Marlborough is a good starting point and somewhat of a "heavier" Harris scent, even though still much more subtle than Tabac that has strong sandalwood, lavender and some warmer floral accents, but that in itself is still much more subdued than for example Proraso Green that launches a menthol attack on my olfactory senses.
Tabac takes me back on time travel to the early 60's, probably because my dad may have used it for a while back then, but D.R. Harris takes me back even further, to a gentlemen's dressing room in the heydays of the British Empire. (God save the Queen.)
Can't comment on MWF, not in my rotation.
I'm no expert on scents, don't know the proper terminology but I'd place Arlington between MWF and Tabac for strenth of scent. The Arlington scent is not as floral as Tabac and is sharper - brighter might be the term - than MWF, probably due to the citrus note that beluga mentioned.
As to performance, the D.R. Harris soaps are quite good. I'd give the edge to Tabac and MWF for cushion and slickness but the difference is very slight.
rs,
Tack
As far as comparing dr to tabac or mwf, I wouldn't know, I haven't tried the latter 2. I have the Windsor and really like the scent, it is strong when while using it then lightly lingers for a couple hours.
Dr Harris Windsor is a masculine scent. Great soap.
Windsor is one of my favorites. Scent is manly but not over powering. I have Arlington an it's ok but a little to floral perfume smell for me. Either way you can't go wrong. Excellent products from DR.
Thanks to all of the clarifications, I'm leaning towards both the Marlborough and the Windsor
The Marlborough is the faintest of the three in scent. Arlington and Windsor are my favs but all three are goodQuote:
Originally Posted by WilliamDallaPorta
I'd put Tabac ahead of the other two on your list. In fact, I think Tabac, is ahead of almost anything out there and equal to a few highly regarded others.
Gentlemen,
D.R. Harris, Mitchell's Wool Fat and Tabac are quality soaps with distinct characteristics. Mitchell's and Tabac come in one scent, of course, and gentlemen either like their fragrances or don't. I like both scents.
Harris is offered in a variety of scents: Arlington, lavender, Marlborough, Windsor, Sandalwood and almond. Each scent is distinct and far from overwhelming. I have tried them all and liked each for what it is. If I had to choose among the scents of this fine shave soap, I would take all except for the almond — because I am not all that fond of almond scented soaps, period.
Really, the best way to find a favorite among these scents is to try them one by one. It is hard to recommend a shaving soap scent to someone and expect him to like it as much.
I have all three and Tabac is by far the best. MWF is very good.
For some reason i have not liked nor have I been able to get a good lather with D.R. Harris. It must be me for a lot of people swear by this product.
Yea, sorta in the same boat myself oddly enough. I would take Tabac ahead of MWF and DR Harris Arlington last because of the so so lather I can produce from it but the scent is nice. I agree with Dave because I think I have just got the right technique down for DR Harris. As usual problems with lather making is normally operator error and not the products fault.Quote:
Originally Posted by rolodave
Bob
I'm not sure the issue that I've had with DR Harris is the same but I'll share what I've noticed with this soap that I have grown to love. Initially, DR Harris seams to lather extremely easily as it easily produces a tremendous amount of suds. Don't let this deter you from spending an adequate amount of time loading the brush. It may help to start with a dryer brush (just damp) and load the brush for 30 seconds or so before beginning to build a lather. Add water a few drops at a time. I've noticed that DR Harris remains thick long after it is over-watered. This can be confusing and lead to a lather that appears thick and cushiony but loses it's slickness. Lather it up in the hand first to try to dial it in. When it is dialed in, it is a great lather, slick and cushiony. But with a little too much water, it can cause your razor to jump and skip, IMHO.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
IMO - DR Harris crèmes are much better than the soaps. I feel they are amongst the best crèmes out there
I'd like to try some Dr. Harris but if I never have anything but Tabac and MWF I'd be happy.
Yes, you are so right about loading it long enough. We don't want no stinking suds, then again that goes for any soap. Good advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by str8tlkr
Bob
Tabac>Windsor>Arlington>Marlboro>MWF.
I have had and tried all the above. I find MWF finicky and uninspiring I much prefer Haslingers to MWF. As to Tabac...its Tabac...Stellar Nuf said. Of the Dr. Harris line I very much like Windsor and Arlington but Windsor is more "Manly" and my wife agrees. Marlboro is "ok" it is Woodsey and smells a bit (a lot actually) smoky. Many have compared it to an ashtray scent. I wouldn't go that far but it's definitely not a favorite of the three. As always your likes and mileage may vary.
Don't hate simply my opinion.
Last time I used them, I found my Tabac more finicky than MWF :), buy I probably didn't load up enough.
I do like Marlborough a lot though. I smelled the cologne in a shop and bought the soap puck but was disappointed the scent was so faint. I will give Windsor a sniff next time on your recommendation.
I've used all three and just my 2 pennies but MWF is probably the least in your face with the Arlington right there with it, followed by Windsor, Marlborough (Can't handle Sandal wood scents), and the Tabac to me is so strong you will smell it through out the day (But it is probably the best shave soap IMO out of any of them). But you won't catch Tabac in my rotation or the Marlborough they are just too intense for me. I must be scent sensitive as they give me a heavy feeling as in I could go sleep all day/depressed kinda feeling. I would go for Windsor...
