Shave Den's Permanent Residents
Gentlemen,
Let's face it, any soap or cream will work for the shave. Whether a traditional cheapo or some mediocre artisan soap with a colorful name, each will provide some measure of cushion and glide. In the Vietnam jungles, I used water from the canteen, the steel helmet for my sink, a can of God forsaken goo for shave cream, and a disposable razor. I did get a shave, but it was unpleasant. So when you have to, anything will work.
Under normal circumstances, however, some soaps and creams remain permanent residents in my humble shave den. I have trimmed the lineup to five soaps and creams each. I don't see that changing any time soon. Not that other soaps and creams don't make it to the shave den; they come and go almost daily.
Many go as fast as they come in, including Meisner Tremonia, Green Mountain, Savonnerie du bon Berger, Savoniere du Moulin, Boellis Panama 1924 and a fleet of other soaps and creams I like to forget about. I must say, the worst soap I have ever tried was Durance, a French abomination that came out some years ago and mercifully, I think, disappeared. Akh!
I must clarify something: The soaps and creams I have eliminated may be of high quality, and highly regarded by many gentlemen, but they have not worked for me with my ultra sensitive skin and all. Most have lacked the proper cushion I need, whereas other gentlemen have liked the same cushion. And that's how it is in the world of traditional shaving.
We all have our preferences in soaps and creams for various indisputable reasons — we like or dislike them for specific personal tastes. Who am I to say the soap or cream you use is garbage — if it doesn't work for me. Of course, there are some exceptions. If you ever try Durance, you'll know what I mean.
For instance, Meisner Tremonia lathered well and the glide was slick, but the cushion was mediocre — for me. The same thing with a host of other U.S. and French made artisan soaps. Boellis Panama, an Italian cream enjoyed by some, torched my skin so badly that I got rid of it after one shave. And the list goes on.
So now, for my personal reasons, which include rich lather, slick glide, ideal cushion, pleasing fragrance, and aftershave qualities, here are the five permanent resident soaps and cream in my humble shave den.
SOAPS
Martin de Candre
Le Pere Lucien,
Czech & Speak
Saponificio Varesino
Mitchell's Wool Fat
CREAMS
Castle Forbes
Xpec
Esbjerg
Baum.Be
Taylor of Old Bond Street's Jermyn Street
I am sure your shave den has permanent resident soaps and creams, too, that you want to share.