The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Phrank]

Andrew, did you go with Mondial's soap or with their cream? Is their bergamot-neroli bitter like PannaCrema's new Nera? Thanks for your help and further facilitating my SAD!

I think the Nera is due to arrive tomorrow...given PC history, I'd imagine it will be better...but the Mondial is more a croap.

I've got four in total, and they are all killer soaps....

[SemperFi]

Awesome, Andrew--thanks for your feedback! Looking like I'll place an order for a few to try out.

Order placed for 5 different scents--3 standard and 2 collection soap scents. Will post some feedback after I receive and try the suds. Nope, no SAD here, just a supporter of global economics with our European partners!

[ScottGoodman]

Have you guys tried the new Proraso cream soaps? It's a whole other shave cream, I have the Wood spice now and the Azur lime on the way. Look into it, you won't be unhappy.

[Srdjan]

Gents, I had 3 or 4 shaves with Nuavia Nera. My opinion on the scent, as posted on another forum is this:

Smelling through the paper Paul sent it in, the scent has dried down and I will say, this is very similar to Boss The Scent EDT to my nose, with a few exceptions. I am not a fan of this cologne btw, I find it too rough and heavy on patchouli-iris combo (or something!), this is more refined, by its citruses, bergamot and its subtle florals.

When I open up the paper and smell the soap itself, then I’m getting this fresh top, the citruses and bergamot I mentioned, but definitely the other notes are pushing through even then. Typically Italian style I suppose.. (Boss doesn’t do that at all, so don’t expect to smell this cologne in the soap, it isn’t the same at all.) Nuavia opens up fresh, which Boss does not. I suspect Nuavia may stay fresh a while, too... We shall see what happens during the shave, I’m looking forward to experiencing full fragrance development on my skin.

A powerful scent I must say, very strong and not what I’m used to in a shaving soap.

Further to this, another gentleman pointed out to the sweetness of the mandarin note at the top, which lingers a while. Reminded him of hot wine, with a certain Christmasy vibe I believe. This I can get as well, it's definitely there. He senses cinnamon, but to my nose it is of almost no importance.

As for the citruses, I would say they disappear quite quickly. This to me is far from a pure fresh, citrusy scent. As soon as I lather up, citrus is gone, giving way to a more spicy, floral heart. It is a very nice smelling soap indeed. To clarify, when I think citrus, I think Citricos (Eufros), Solaris
and/or Citra Royale (Phoenix&Beau), Lime (MNS) and such. This is much, much more complex. As far as the scent goes, I would put it in Tier-1, no doubt about it.

As for the performance during the shave, I have no complaints, it worked beautifully. I had no issues getting a decent amount of lather in a very short time (I mean I could have done 4-5 passes easily on one moderate load). Lather consistency reminded me of Saponifico Varesino's latest formulation, crossed with Grooming dep't slickness. Can't ask for much more out of a shave soap. Tier-1 again.

Post-shave feel left me a bit disappointed, and sadly this is the most important category for me. On the first go, it was really bad. I face-lathered from start to finish. For subsequent shaves I used a bowl, which improved the results slightly, but not enough to put this soap in Tier-1... barely Tier-2 for me in this department.

I'll keep using my sample until it's gone. I think it may give me another 6-7 shaves easily, and who knows, maybe I'll discover something new about the soap.

[Phrank]

Loved the Olea, "Shiloh" soap, really a stellar soap, and just became probably my favourite scent from her.

To say it was akin to Acqua Di Parma would be very accurate in my opinion, just a classic, wide ranging, robust and deep spread of scents that changed throughout the shave. From the persistent citrus at the beginning, to it lowering through the nose as the shave progressed, was just a great soap to use. And paired with the AdP cologne afterwards...Winner! Fantastic combination....

It's soaps like these that I truly look forward to using, great lather, great after shave results on the skin, and a thoroughly entertaining scent that kept up a great show through the whole shave.

Olea makes some great soaps, her use of scents in unparalleled, with Irving Park, Northern, Fiero, so many stellar scents, the "Shiloh" is pretty much my favourite from her...outstanding soap and provided a really great shave experience.

Ohhh...and the duck fat base....bonus I guess, left the face smooth and hydrated, and shaving with a duck...just add's on to the madness!!

Damn glad I ordered two!!!

[eddy79]

Have had both Wholly Kaw and Oleo soaps come recently. Both amazing soaps. I have almost got all the top tier soaps now.

Lots aren't available in Australia so spending almost as much on posting as on soaps. You guys are keeping my wallet very light. Keep it coming

[Obie]

Gentlemen,

Irving Park is still my favorite of all the Oleo soap fragrances. Love the stuff for its clean and soapy fragrance. Shiloh sounds intriguing, though, thanks to my friend Phrank.

[Dieseld]

New City is my favorite from Oleo, thanks for the review Phrank!

[SemperFi]

Hey fellas if you've tried Fitjar soaps or creams, what's your experience with it?

I've shaved both the soap (Slåtterøy) and cream (Fjellheim) several times now, and while they both lather easily and well, both the soap and the cream lathers broke down and dissipated fairly soon into my shaves. Tried the usual: more water, then less water, heavier loading, and etc.

Wanted to see if others have had similar experiences with Fitjar lather breaking down.

[Phrank]

Gentlemen,

Irving Park is still my favorite of all the Oleo soap fragrances. Love the stuff for its clean and soapy fragrance. Shiloh sounds intriguing, though, thanks to my friend Phrank.

Hi Obie - yes, Irving Park was my favourite as well, stellar soap, and it was a pleasure to use another of her soaps that was just as wonderful as the Irving Park..."better" is probably the wrong word, as they are different scents, let's just say loved it as much as I love the IP...she's really got quite the touch...just got the PC Nera in, that's on for tonight, all know I love the PC soaps next to MdC...if Oleo keeps going, they could rival the PC and MdC....certainly a great soap, and of course it a ducking great soap....