Thread: Becoming a convert to the Tabac cult.

Originally Posted by petercp4e

Maybe it's just me... I wanted to see what all the Tabac hoopla is all about. I bought a puck and am about 6-8 shaves into it. It lathers ok, not the best I've used, not the worst. The scent, to me, is very dated, like something my grandfather might have used. It's so so, not great, but not bad. So...to me, Tabac is the middle of the road at best. I just can't see what the hoopla is all about, especially at its price point. There are just too many other great performing soaps out there that I have tried with more interesting, exciting and invigorating scents.

Pete <:-}

I can understand the issue with the scent of Tabac. It has been said on here and other forums that Tabac's scent polarizing. Me, I'm an old fart that likes classic scents like Tabac and Dunhill for Men. I'd bet most younger people would not.

The iffy lather I can't see as it is known as an easy lathering soap that makes rich thick and slick lather. Oth everyone is different.

Bob

W

Originally Posted by BobH

I can understand the issue with the scent of Tabac. It has been said on here and other forums that Tabac's scent polarizing. Me, I'm an old fart that likes classic scents like Tabac and Dunhill for Men. I'd bet most younger people would not.

The iffy lather I can't see as it is known as an easy lathering soap that makes rich thick and slick lather. Oth everyone is different.

Bob

+1 on both points...
The scent? Reminds me of the 70's - and you have to have been there - many who where there can't remember for a host of reasons.

The lather - I carry the Tabac stick for travel partly because it works so well in all types of water once the load/water volume lines up.

But this is all very YMMN - Arko was a no-go for me and others love it for instance.
We are fortunate to have so many fine choices..

Any time someone mentions the smell of Tabac, I think of one of the early Frozen Toe Meet-Ups at Mike Blue's place, maybe in 2008.

Chrisl had asked me to bring my Tabac so that he could take a slice home to try. Unfortunately, his wife smelled it, declared it to smell like a mixture of Lysol and Aqua Net, and demanded it be removed from the house immediately. Chris never got to shave with it!

Oh, and the notch cut out of the puck finally is gone now.

Originally Posted by MJC

But this is all very YMMN - Arko was a no-go for me and others love it for instance.
We are fortunate to have so many fine choices..

That is so true. I must be 70s handicapped as I like both Arko and Palmolive shave sticks and their scent. Nobody else has to though.

Bob

Originally Posted by petercp4e

Maybe it's just me...
It lathers ok, not the best I've used, not the worst. So...to me, Tabac is the middle of the road at best. I just can't see what the hoopla is all about,

Originally Posted by BobH

I can understand the issue with the scent of Tabac. It has been said on here and other forums that Tabac's scent polarizing.

The iffy lather I can't see as it is known as an easy lathering soap that makes rich thick and slick lather.

I'm with Bob on this.

Personally, I really like the smell and I think it makes a great lather.

It's Tabac soap for this evening's shave, gents. Thanks for the reminder.

I used Tabac for this mornings shave. Bloomed whilst in the shower and with the Muhle STF, the soap created a monster lather, far more than I required for a 2 pass shave.

Originally Posted by Thug

I used Tabac for this mornings shave. Bloomed whilst in the shower and with the Muhle STF, the soap created a monster lather, far more than I required for a 2 pass shave.

If by bloomed you mean covered in water you might want to forego that next time and see what happens. I don't think Tabac is one of those soaps that needs to be bloomed. I have always gotten away with a light sprinkle of water from a damp brush and then loading the brush with maybe another sprinkle and some more loading. Then build a lather face lathering. that normally gets me enough for a 4 pass shave.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

If by bloomed you mean covered in water you might want to forego that next time and see what happens. I don't think Tabac is one of those soaps that needs to be bloomed. I have always gotten away with a light sprinkle of water from a damp brush and then loading the brush with maybe another sprinkle and some more loading. Then build a lather face lathering. that normally gets me enough for a 4 pass shave.

Bob

I'll give it a try next time.

I'm still experimenting with the Muhle and the soap but the volume of lather I got this morning whilst still loading the brush, told me that I shouldn't have bloomed the soap.

Personally have never had a bad lather with either the stick nor the bowl. On the contrary. I usually end up with more than I bargained for or than I can use. ..
The scent... I and SWMBO both love it... and while I never shaved in the 70s I've always felt that I have an old soul.....
Anyways. .... the arko as much as everyone loves it. .... im a bit torn as ive only had hit and miss shaves with it.
Then again. ... YMMV