Thread: Martin De Candre soap?

It has that rare combination of performance and ease of lathering and being miserly with a great scent.

It is truly an artisan soap and like many such things you pay for that.

Many soaps costing less come close in several of the departments but very few have it's scent.

[QUOTE=Lince;1580555]Put me in the "like" column. I used it for my Christmas shave this morning. With that said, there are many good soaps that come very, very close for far less. Los Angeles Shaving Soap is just one.QUOTE]

I feel the same way. I like the MdC but feel that there are many soaps that come very close in performance for far less shekels.

Bob

Originally Posted by Miketig

I went to my local shave shop and they said that Martin De Candre, Fougere was one of the finest shave soaps in the world. I had never heard of it (not that that's saying much) just wondering if it's really one of the best? They gave me all kinds of info like it's rested for 6 months after it's made. I don't know if it's just some hype to get my crazy ass to buy it. It has a premium price tag is it worth the money?

I'm recently new to the MDC scene and I was impressed with this product, It has a great combination of slip and cushion for me. I also noted in an earlier post here how fool proof it is to whip up a great lather and I love the scent (regular). Do I think it is one of the greatest shaving products on the market today considering the price ? My opinion and this is strictly just mine....I don't think so, I'm more of a traditional hard soap user but this one I would recommend easily from my experience with it, it really is some nice stuff. Price wise I really think that fits into the YMMV thing, and an individual's choice.


Scott

MDC is an outstanding soap. It always lathers easily, and I always get a very smooth shave with it. I do find it a little drying, but since I use an ASB, that makes little difference. It's been fairly well documented that the price per shave is on par with nearly every other top quality shave soap, since a jar lasts for such a long time. It will always be in my rotation.

I've used it and after a half dozen shaves or so with it I can tell you that the post shave is incredible. That is the only great thing about it. So many others that have better cushion and glide. To me it's shave performance is on par with five or seven dollar a puck soaps. It reminds me of Col Conk soaps. Great scent, just others do so much better.
YMMV

I would say it isn't worth it if it didn't last forever. Being that it does,lathers great smells great, and overall good shave i don't mind the price. their pre shave is awesome as well.

It shows up in the top five, everytime someone asks.
If you could only have five, which soaps and why?
That doesnt happen by chance. Not much a bunch of guys around the planet agree on, that is still being made. This is one of them.
You dont like it. Put it up for sale here for $10 less than you bought it, IT WILL BE GONE. So really it only cost you $10 .
Rarely very rarely does A person say I dont like it. and its for the scent. Either you like Fourgere or you dont , same with Lavender.
Its the real deal in a fake world. It costs to do it right and not cut corners.
Double cheese burgers cost a buck, and a filet mignon goes for its market price.
Twenty something asks for money for the cable bill,say "No Money" yet can buy a pack of smokes and a $2 pop everyday.
Told the young man pick your priorities.

Originally Posted by Miketig

I went to my local shave shop and they said that Martin De Candre, Fougere was one of the finest shave soaps in the world. I had never heard of it (not that that's saying much) just wondering if it's really one of the best? They gave me all kinds of info like it's rested for 6 months after it's made. I don't know if it's just some hype to get my crazy ass to buy it. It has a premium price tag is it worth the money?

Hello Miketig! I live just over the hill from you up in the High Desert towards Vegas!

To answer your question, I think that MdC is definitely one of my "desert island" products. There is just something about the complete package of scent, lathering, face feel, lubricity that makes it a "must have luxury" in my book. Is it pricey, yes absolutely. But remember it's a luxury item and it will last you a VERY long time. If you are one the fence about it, either order online, or stop by Old Town Shaving in Pasadena and you can pick up samples of it for about $5. I have purchased a few small sample jars of it and smooshed them into the bottom of a Tupperware. This stuff lasts forever!

Are there other cheaper alternatives that work as good or better, probably. I think Cella works WONDERFULLY and it isn't nearly the cost. Now and then, if your finances allow you to afford it, it is just nice to have a luxury item. I like the Filet Minon analogy....

Originally Posted by TheFiveO

Are there other cheaper alternatives that work as good or better, probably. I think Cella works WONDERFULLY and it isn't nearly the cost. Now and then, if your finances allow you to afford it, it is just nice to have a luxury item. I like the Filet Minon analogy....

Been using MdC the last couple of mornings and it is a fine shave soap. It is a luxury item though and I agree if you can splash out for it and not strain the budget it is nice to have. I would not get in a depression over not having though.

Yes, I like my burgers just fine but do occasionally treat myself to Fillet Mignon too. Agreed, it is a good analogy.

Bob

Gentlemen, just because something is expensive does not mean it is a luxury good. If anything, Martin de Candre is a Veblen good.

It does not contain any particularly expensive ingredients, its performance is good (but not Castle Forbes or Meißner Tremonia good), its aftershave skin care is below average. Yes, it is expensive, and it will make your odd peer jealous.

Put more bluntly: the consumption of Martin de Candre soaps is a function of the Veblen effect.

If you want the same performance with better aftershave skin care, but at a fraction of the price, get Savonnerie du bon Berger, La Cigale, Le Père Lucien, La Savonnerie Du Village, or La Savonnière du Moulin. And those are just the top French soaps...