The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Obie]

Gentlemen,

Through the years, I have experienced a vast collection of soaps and creams. And brushes. I think I prefer lathering to shaving, really. My soaps and cream are categorized in tiers: first tier, second tier, and the basement. My rating of these soaps and creams is gauged by five elements: richness of lather, cushion, glide, fragrance, and aftershave feel. Yes, price is important, too, but I am more concerned about quality. Since I have spent a fortune on traditional shaving, a few more shekels aren't going to hurt.

The following are my tiered products — obviously of the ones I have used. Please realize that this rating is only my opinion. You may have yours. I have avoided claiming one particular soap or cream as the greatest, or the eighth wonder of the world, for after all, each product stands on its own. I love many soaps just as much as I do Martin de Candre. I have taken the liberty of not mentioning some new, and I feel hyped, soaps and creams I don't particularly care for — why bother? The listenings in each tier are in no particular order.

First Tier

Soap: Martin de Candre, Czech & Speak, D.R. Harris, Klar Seifen, Saponificio Varesino, Zingari Man, PannaCrema, Valobra, Antica Barberia Cola, Abbate y La Mantia, Cold River, Meissner Tremonia, Institute Karite, Provence Sante, Tabac.

Cream: Castle Forbes, Esbjerg, Baum.Be, D.R. Harris, Alvarez Gomez, Penhaligon’s, Truefitt & Hill, The Art of Shaving, St. James of London, Geo F. Trumper, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Simpsons, OneBlade, Haircut & Shave Co.,

Second Tier:

Soap:

Lea, Barrister & Mann, La Savonnerie du bon Berger, Portos Cale, Mama Bear, L'Ocitane Cade, Plisson, La Toja, eShave, Mondial, Green Mountain, Penhaligon's, Wickham 1912, Le Pere Lucien, Los Angeles Shave Company, Hasslinger's, Wholly Kaw, Proraso, Mike's Natural Soaps, Arko, Catie's Bubble, The Art of shaving, Ariana & Evans, Oleo, Catie’s Bubbles Gardenia, Mitchell’s Wool Fat.

Cream:

Xpec, Santa Maria Novella, Rose of Bulgaria, Maca Root, Proraso, Cella, Speik, Cyril Salter.

Third Tier:

Soap:

RazoRock, Die Vergulde Hande, Tabula Rasa, Boellis Panama 1924, Lorenzo Villerosi, Mystic Waters, Bathhouse Spanish Fig Soaps, Scottish Fine Soaps, Dr. Dittmar, Coats, Savon du Barbear, Erasmic, Gold Dachs, Muhle, Edwin Jagger, Fume, Crabtree & Evelyn, Phoenix, Tcheon Fong, La Cigale, Henri et Victoria, Floris.

Cream: Musgo Real, Palmolive, J.M. Frazer's.

Basement:

[U]Soap[U]:

Van Der Hagen, Williams, Geo F Trumper, Colonel Conk, Holy Black.

Cream:

Institute Karite.

Sensitive:

Soap: Lea, Mitchell’s Wool Fat, Cold Mountain, Zingari Man, The Art of Shaving unscented, Truefitt & Hill unscented, Czech & Speak, D.R. Harris natural, Edwin Jagger Aloe Vera, Muhle Aloe Vera.

Cream: Castle Forbes,Taylor of Old Bond Street Jrmyn Street, Lea, The Art of Shaving unscented, Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort, OneBlade.