The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[HopChugger]

Tom,
I see my friends beat me to it. Yes, you can get it directly from France, or from the Old Town Shaving Company, in Pasadena, California.

As someone who buys MDC from both Old Town and the MDC site, I can tell you that, even with shipping, buying direct from MDC is cheaper and they always throw in some samples of this or that. Shipping is fast too. However, Old Town Shaving is awesome and sometimes I'm willing to pay the extra to have it in hand and do some other shopping.

[Obie]

As someone who buys MDC from both Old Town and the MDC site, I can tell you that, even with shipping, buying direct from MDC is cheaper and they always throw in some samples of this or that. Shipping is fast too. However, Old Town Shaving is awesome and sometimes I'm willing to pay the extra to have it in hand and do some other shopping.

HopChugger,

I always buy my Martin de Candre directly from France. The place is habit forming. I have never bought it from Old Town.

A couple years ago I was doing some stage work in Los Angeles. The producer, who was a friend and with whom I was staying, drove me to the store in Pasadena. The store is quite impressive, in decor as well as content. It was such a fun afternoon. That's where I saw the Martin de Candre tubs, and the collection of Rooney brushes.

[Phrank]

I was lucky enough to pick up a tub of Lavender Creeper and matching aftershave when it hit THB's site. I have to say, the hype is pretty justified, if not the current asking price. The aftershave is not only a triple lavender blend, but it is barrel-aged, which ended up being a fantastic idea. I hope more companies try this technique.

Read lots of reviews on it, and the slow creep of the freeze along with the developing Lavender is supposed to be really a total package effect. The Regents and I think one other they did with Caswell is equally raved about.

Problem is, they're gone in a very few hours....hard to build up a base with one soap offering.

[petercp4e]

Dave,
I have 4 of the scents.
Original, Fougere and the two that were listed as limited editions, Vetiver and Rose.
This is a little hard to explain. All have very similar scent characteristics, but all are different.
I think anyone that shaves with MDC regularly would be able to pick any one of them out easily.
I can honestly say that the Rose is really becoming a favorite of mine over time.
As far as performance, they are all equally stellar.

Pete <:-}

[nessmuck]

Just gave the Holy Black Gunpowder Shave Soap a run on my Hollywood face. Got me a new favorite. This soap just seemed to keep "Building " lather. I really noticed it when I lathered the top of my head...nothing like it! And when rinsing the face after the shave....my face was so slick...I had to look in the mirror to see if all the soap was off my face . Can't wait to see Obie's review....and Thanks Phrank for the heads up on this stuff..it did not disappoint....and smells great too. I also got the AS tonic....very nice ! I won't be without a tin of this soap .

[HopChugger]

Read lots of reviews on it, and the slow creep of the freeze along with the developing Lavender is supposed to be really a total package effect. The Regents and I think one other they did with Caswell is equally raved about.

Problem is, they're gone in a very few hours....hard to build up a base with one soap offering.

I agree! The only way you can get some of their best products is if you follow them on Twitter or Insta and happen to catch a new release by chance. The Holy Black are the most marketing driven company I have seen in wet shaving and I think they know the value of rarity, mystique and building a rabid fan base at the expense of the larger buying public. Now that I have many of their products over the last few years, I can say they back their swagger up with quality, so I guess its's working for them.

[petercp4e]

I couldn't wait for Obie's review and just ordered the Holy Black shave soap.
Honestly, it had me at Gunpowder.

Pete <:-}

[Obie]

Gentlemen,

I have mixed thoughts on The Holy Black Gundpowder and Spice shave soap. The robust spicy fragrance pleases the nose, although it falls short of some of my great fragrances. The soap lathers quite well, easily, and creates plenty of moisture. The glide is good. Where it falls short for me is in the cushion.

After two shaves, it is a little early for a complete assessment of this soap, perhaps, but thus far I find the cushion is mediocre.

Another thing: the soap gives me a little burn. This might be considered too subjective, since my ultra sensitive skin cannot tolerate some soaps and creams. The burn here is not extreme, but it is there for me, nevertheless.

For now, I'll put The Holy Black Gundpowder and Spice on the lower wrung of Tier Two.

[nessmuck]

So Obie...I get glide ,and slickness.....but what am I trying to feel...as far as "cushion " goes?... Should I lather 1/2 my face with My Castle Forbs lather.....and the other 1/2 of my face with Holy Black Gunpowder..?? Thanks

[Obie]

So Obie...I get glide ,and slickness.....but what am I trying to feel...as far as "cushion " goes?... Should I lather 1/2 my face with My Castle Forbs lather.....and the other 1/2 of my face with Holy Black Gunpowder..?? Thanks

The way I do it is to shave and see how my skin behaves. There is nothing scientific here, really. Much of shaving is by feel: how the razor feel on your face, and how your face feel after the shave. Also, much of shaving is subjective: fragrance, skin sensitivity, particular razor, and so on. How the soap or cream works for me is different from what it does for you. Finally, all this is only my opinion.