The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[MODINE]

I received the Caswell Massey “Regent” formula remade by THB. If this stuff was used 100 years ago, man, they knew what they were doing. Scent is neroli with light rosemary citrus undertones that does not linger. Impressive amounts of lather were generated and then dumped into heated SWK scuttle.

No burn during or after was experienced from the THB Regent for a 3 pass shave (1 WTG and 2 ATG). Then again it is a vintage soap formula from Caswell Massey contracted out to The Holy Black to re-create. Rated “10” on my scale. Since it is only offered in a limited edition bowl, probably will not re-order. Can re-purpose bowl however.
Mike

[Phrank]

I received the Caswell Massey “Regent” formula remade by THB. If this stuff was used 100 years ago, man, they knew what they were doing. Scent is neroli with light rosemary citrus undertones that does not linger. Impressive amounts of lather were generated and then dumped into heated SWK scuttle.

No burn during or after was experienced from the THB Regent for a 3 pass shave (1 WTG and 2 ATG). Then again it is a vintage soap formula from Caswell Massey contracted out to The Holy Black to re-create. Rated “10” on my scale. Since it is only offered in a limited edition bowl, probably will not re-order. Can re-purpose bowl however.
Mike

Excellent review...mine is on the way, really looking forward to this one...just missed the Oud Halloween special THB was doing, 200 sold out in hours...darn!

[Phrank]

Pete,
Interesting thoughts. Thank you for bringing up the subject. That is certainly one question I will include in my interview.

The Irving Park was delicious, just a rich, wide scent bomb, the lavender and the vetiver, with the patchouli, so subtly blended are the anchors to this scent, which allows the other fragrances to emerge in bits and pieces, really nice to pick up the different notes as you lather and shave. And sheesh, talk about basically lathering with a fine skin cream, no shaving soap has left my skin as hydrated as this soap. Gobsmacked at this line of soaps.

The New City, which when you open the container, smells ghastly, like raspberries and something dark and scary, but once lathered, wow! The Irving Park was within the envelope of what you'd expect a soap to be, but the New City just shatters expectations of what a shaving soap can be. The raspberry settles right down, and provides a bottom end, the leather and black suede (Oud AFAIC) are very present, and again, the saffron, Amber and especially the Frankincense make appearances to the nose as you shave. I was surprised at the end of the shave, after expecting not to like this one based on opening the container, I actually liked it MORE than the Irving Park...so can't wait to try Northerly Island.

So just had a shave with the The Holy Black Caswell Massey "Regents"...very nice soap, great scent, great performance, lather bomb no problem. As Mike says, the neroli with the rosemary and that nice high note of citrus, lovely soap to shave with.

Personally, since the thread is taking an Oleo route, and the Panna Crema Blu/Rossa/Verde soaps are the last major hitter for me I'll sum up the Regents this way - my opinion only.

The Regents is very nice, certainly a soap I'd buy and use in my rotation, it is not as nice and luxurious as the PannaCrema soaps, any one of them, scent was better with the PC's and the lather and moisture properties were also better IMO.

Now if we put Oleo into the equation, and I agree wholeheartedly with Obie that Oleo is a 1st Tier Soap if ever there was one, the Regents, would not be Tier 1....lots of hype around these The Holy Black soaps, but personally, compared to PannaCrema or the astounding Oleo soaps, (the New City, as was the Irving Park, was simply out of this world) the Regents would be on Tier 2 for me.

Further, I'd say of the two THB soaps I've now tried, while really nice, they'd lose a cage fight to DR Harris...or Penhaligon.

The Oleo, if ever there was a competitor for MdC, for me like the PannaCrema, the Oleo would be it...if I had to list a top 3 for me right now, it'd be MdC, Oleo and PannaCrema....this week!

[Dieseld]

Thanks Phrank!!! I'm waiting on those two same soaps to arrive........now I'm like why aren't they here yet!!!!

So looking forward to them, and the shave that goes with them

[nessmuck]

Looks like I have to pony up ...and try the Oleo Irving Park and maybe some Balm. Anyone try their balms ??

[mlucassr]

phrank where Can I find your reviews


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[Phrank]

phrank where Can I find your reviews


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LOL - this is Obie's thread, and I'm just one of the hundreds of members who love this thread and share their thoughts on what soaps and creams they've tried and like.

The great thing, IMO, about Obie's thread, is that it's a great place to read about soaps and maker's that you wouldn't otherwise be aware of...reviewing the entire thread (which I've done several times), is a great way to get started on a list of fantastic soaps and creams, and a superb way to drain your bank account - good hunting!

[Obie]

Phrank, my friend,

Thank you for your thoughts, and for the Oleo soaps review. Well done. I have eyed Irving Park and New City for a while and should get off my tush and order them. I am really looking forward to interviewing Vida Perez Velazquez, the soap maker, in a few days.

[petercp4e]

Just tried D.R. Harris - Marlborough Soap for the first time.

It has a nice, light very pleasant scent of cedar and sandalwood.

Whipped up into a thick, creamy beautiful lather. It was somewhat thirsty.

The cushion and glide is superior.

My skin feels fantastic post shave.

I can honestly see, in one shave, why this is a tier one soap.

Pete <:-}

[thebigspendur]

Just tried D.R. Harris - Marlborough Soap for the first time.

It has a nice, light very pleasant scent of cedar and sandalwood.

Whipped up into a thick, creamy beautiful lather. It was somewhat thirsty.

The cushion and glide is superior.

My skin feels fantastic post shave.

I can honestly see, in one shave, why this is a tier one soap.

Pete <:-}

This is one of those classic soaps everyone has to try at one point and everyone seems to like.

By the way today is Larry Fine's birthday.