The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Phrank]

OneBlade lavender shave cream

I did not know what to expect from the shave cream from the folks at OneBlade. This is a new single edge razor with a pivoting head — I will write a review of it in SAFETY RAZORS as soon as I can.

When I first used the OneBlade cream a few days ago, I thought of the Castle Forbes lavender cream. The two scents are quite close. I even thought the cream was made for OneBlade by Castle Forbes. Not so, I am told; rather, the cream, in many respects, emulates Castle Forbes' lavender shave cream.

I really like this cream: it produces luxurious lather with a minimal amount on the brush. The cream has the ideal amount of moisture, with impressive residual slickness. The cushion especially is notable — it is lovely on the skin. Also important, are the cream's aftershave properties, which leave the skin smooth and comfortable.

OneBlade shave cream's lavender scent is earthy and quite pleasing. Those of you who use the Castle Forbes lavender cream will not be disappointed in the scent from the OneBlade cream. This is good stuff, gentlemen, and for me, it easily belongs in the First Tier.

Interesting, was just on their site, and they actually offer Castle Forbes products, and a razor with shaving gear setup featuring Castle Forbes....so wonder if you are in fact correct, that CF did somehow make their Laender shaving cream, going to hunt down the ingredients list.

Obie - so did you actually come right out and ask if CFdid their cream?

[Obie]

Interesting, was just on their site, and they actually offer Castle Forbes products, and a razor with shaving gear setup featuring Castle Forbes....so wonder if you are in fact correct, that CF did somehow make their Laender shaving cream, going to hunt down the ingredients list.

Obie - so did you actually come right out and ask if CFdid their cream?

Phrank,

Yes, I did ask them directly and was told that Castle Forbes did not actually make the cream for them. They do favor Castle Forbes at OneBlade — good taste, I'd say. Who makes their cream, I don't know, but Castle Forbes' influence is present in the product.

I really like this cream. It takes so little cream to make a big cloud of silky lather. Good stuff. On top of everything, I love the OneBlade razor. It gives a sweet shave.

[BanjoTom]

I rinsed/cleaned one brush using vinegar, and Simpson's brush, and maybe it's just me, but that brush was never the same afterwards. The knot went from bouncing back firmly, to a soft wet mess when used again...will never use vinegar again, YMMV.....

While this is just my guess, I believe you used too much vinegar. Acid will weaken hair. Go gently Grasshopper! Mix a teaspoon of acid with a cup of water. You are looking to chemically breakdown just the fat with the acid in the vinegar. It is a delicate balance to be sure. But irreversible if overdone. Cheers!

[Raol]

So far over one hundred and sixty pages and three thousand shows of appreciation, "likes" on this thread.
Such an incredibly valuable resource.
Thank you Obie and all of the contributors.

[Obie]

Panna Crema Nuavia Blu

Gentlemen,

After using Panna Crema Nuavia Blu for a time, I am inclined to shift it to the Second Tier. I love the fragrance, yes, but the soap falls short in other elements.

Yes, the soap lathers well, big lather, and the glide is okay overall. Where the soap falls short is in the lather's moisture, residual slickness, overall cushion and aftershave feel. The Blu's fragrance is lovely — I never liked the Rose — and the soap dish handsome, but a top tier soap or cream should hit close to the stars.

This one does not. I have not tried he soap's other fragrances, but I am inclined to believe that fragrance does not change a soap or cream's overall performance. The reason Castle Forbes hits all the marks, regardless of its four different fragrances, is the magic wrapping the cream's performance overall.

I use Castle Forbes and Martin de Candre as the benchmarks in evaluating shave creams and soaps. Panna Crema, I'm afraid, fails to reach that level. Although good overall, the soap belongs in the Second Tier.

Gentlemen, as always, this is only my opinion.

[thebigspendur]

One of the rare times I'll disagree with Obie.

I have the blue and the new black and though the scent of their latest offering (I think) is a little much in the citrus department I find the tech qualities of both to be top notch all the way. All the qualities Obie questioned I found to be exceptional.

Maybe water quality is a factor here?

[Phrank]

One of the rare times I'll disagree with Obie.

I have the blue and the new black and though the scent of their latest offering (I think) is a little much in the citrus department I find the tech qualities of both to be top notch all the way. All the qualities Obie questioned I found to be exceptional.

Maybe water quality is a factor here?

Yup - I'm with you on this one - the PannaCrema is one of my all time favourites, right beside MdC, Castle Forbes, and a few others.....

[evnpar]

Panna Crema Nuavia Blu

Gentlemen,

After using Panna Crema Nuavia Blu for a time, I am inclined to shift it to the Second Tier. I love the fragrance, yes, but the soap falls short in other elements.

Gentlemen, as always, this is only my opinion.

I have to agree with you on this one, Obie. Perhaps it was my technique, but I never could obtain the quality lather that others were raving about. I also didn't care as much as others for the scents of Rossa and Blu, and ended up selling them. However, I have many personal Tier 3 soaps that others would rate as Tier 2. I also have had soaps that I considered to be Tier 3 that I later felt didn't measure up. I'm always searching for that perfect soap although I'm glad that I haven't found it, as it's the searching that makes this hobby so much fun.

[Phrank]

I have to agree with you on this one, Obie. Perhaps it was my technique, but I never could obtain the quality lather that others were raving about. I also didn't care as much as others for the scents of Rossa and Blu, and ended up selling them. However, I have many personal Tier 3 soaps that others would rate as Tier 2. I also have had soaps that I considered to be Tier 3 that I later felt didn't measure up. I'm always searching for that perfect soap although I'm glad that I haven't found it, as it's the searching that makes this hobby so much fun.

That new Glide, "Morning Ghost", what a stellar soap that is though eh?

Just tried a Schick Adjustable Injector razor, got it NOS and have never used it...great heft to it, great blades, and paired with the Glide, what a great soap with a wonderful scent....first SE/DE shave in years.

[Obie]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your responses. Keep them coming.

I think Panna Crema, in the end, might turn to be a product that works for some and not for others. Also, I think extended use of a shave soap or cream will sometimes adjust and refine one's initial thoughts about the product.

Castle Forbes blew me away from the first shave. It was pure heaven. Through the years, my love and appreciation of it have grown even more. That's why I use it as the benchmark in judging all other soaps and creams I use. The same with Martin de Candre. The first time I used it some years ago, it felt like a kiss from an angel. My love for it has grown the same as that for Castle Forbes.

I have to admit, gentlemen, Castle Forbes is the crown jewel of the shaving creams and soaps I have used. Actually, everything Castle Forbes, including pre-shave and aftershave balm.

As for Panna Crema, I'm afraid extended use has trimmed my overall opinion of it. Still good stuff, yes, but not up there with the First Tier products.