The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Haroldg48]

I'm also a Windsor fan, although I haven't tried all D.R. Harris scents. Arlington will be my next Harris purchase.

I’ve tried all 3 and Arlington is my favorite.

[alschepis]

Has Wholy Kaw changed their something. Why move them from First to second tier? Also Penhaligon's cream is listed as both first and second tier. Ive been SR shaving for 8 months and I've been guided by your recommendations. I can't thank you enough for many of the great creams and soaps you have recommended

[Obie]

Has Wholy Kaw changed their something. Why move them from First to second tier? Also Penhaligon's cream is listed as both first and second tier. Ive been SR shaving for 8 months and I've been guided by your recommendations. I can't thank you enough for many of the great creams and soaps you have recommended

Thanks for your thoughts.

Penhaligon's "cream" is First Tier, but the "soap" Second Tier. I love the cream, as it does everything it is supposed to do, and the fragrance is heavenly. The soap, however, is not in the same class as the cream and that's why I put it in the Second Tier.

As for Wholly Kaw, I find almost all artisan soaps and creams, including this soap, fall short for me after multiple use. It could be in the cushion or the aftershave properties. Most of all, I grow tired of their fragrance. I can't quite pinpoint the specifics. On the other hand, I have used, say, Mitchell's Wool Fat for years and I still like it as much as the first time I used it.

The same thing is true with D.R. Harris, Castle Forbes, Martin de Candre and scores of other soaps and creams I have put in the First Tier. Even though I have used them for years, they always feel new and fresh. I can't quite figure it out. I don't tire of them as I do artisan soaps, perhaps because some things in their makeup and characteristics give them eternal life.

[Gasman]

Thanks for explaining the W.K. and Oleo movement on the list Obie. And i think im understanding your opinion on them. I do like them both, but something makes me keep picking up hard soaps more. I just like the hard pucks more than these softer, creamer soaps.

Now a try cream like C.F. and others are different for me. I just ordered a new soap b7t guess i still need to get some more! You guys are killing me.

[Robini]

Variety is the spice of life! I have acquired and sold many many soaps/creams trying to figure out which ones "strike a chord" with me. It takes both performance and a pleasing scent to make me want to lather one up for a shave.

I bought CF Lime and 1445 and have to convince myself to use either over other options. MDC falls into the same boat, I never "want" to use it as I just find it to be OK. WK is an awesome product!! I love the performance! I have bought several tubs of their soaps and many samples but have found very few of their scents which I like, hence they have found happiness in others homes.

My top performer, as far as a brand goes, has to be Grooming Department. These soaps I have to talk myself out of using to give some "face time" to the others. Looking forward to Mohammad's release, which is hopefully soon.

[Phrank]

Thanks for your thoughts.

Penhaligon's "cream" is First Tier, but the "soap" Second Tier. I love the cream, as it does everything it is supposed to do, and the fragrance is heavenly. The soap, however, is not in the same class as the cream and that's why I put it in the Second Tier.

As for Wholly Kaw, I find almost all artisan soaps and creams, including this soap, fall short for me after multiple use. It could be in the cushion or the aftershave properties. Most of all, I grow tired of their fragrance. I can't quite pinpoint the specifics. On the other hand, I have used, say, Mitchell's Wool Fat for years and I still like it as much as the first time I used it.

The same thing is true with D.R. Harris, Castle Forbes, Martin de Candre and scores of other soaps and creams I have put in the First Tier. Even though I have used them for years, they always feel new and fresh. I can't quite figure it out. I don't tire of them as I do artisan soaps, perhaps because some things in their makeup and characteristics give them eternal life.

Obie - couldn't agree more, with a few exceptions, the majority of the "artisan" soaps, the dozens and dozens I've tried, get used once or twice, and bin'd, great names, great descriptions, but seldom land anywhere near Tier 2.

The Penhaligon's, I love the soaps and the creams, interesting though, I almost think of them as complimentary, the English Fern, Sartorial, are sublime, love them, while the Endymion cream is a wonderful cream.

And as for the others, DR Harris, MWF, Tabac etc., love each and every one of them.

I've been working back through all my soaps, and at the end, going to pair down to a set rotation of the best, MdC will be there, and maybe finally post a final Top 10 on this wonderful thread....:-)

[evnpar]

I've been working back through all my soaps, and at the end, going to pair down to a set rotation of the best, MdC will be there, and maybe finally post a final Top 10 on this wonderful thread....:-)

Until the next new "sensational" scented soap comes along. I won't hold my breath.

[Phrank]

Until the next new "sensational" scented soap comes along. I won't hold my breath.

LOL - yea, I've been scouring this thread, trying to find maybe a gem in the rough that I don't already have.

Actually gasped when an email showed up from MdC, for a second I thought they had a new soap....what a letdown....:-(

Richard - anything you've tried lately that's lit up your life? Do tell....

[evnpar]

I've actually been using more traditional soaps myself, lately. However, whenever I use the classics too many days in a row, I tend to get bored with the scents, although I like them, and start looking for an artisan soap that I haven't used in awhile. I tried to use MdC for a week, and although the shaves were terrific, I gave up and moved on after a few days.

I haven't tried anything that has lit up my life. I've been impressed with the new formulation of Stone Cottage Soapworks creams lately. Of course not as good as CF creams, but better than AOS and many other creams. I didn't care for their previous formulation, but this new one is terrific. I am a little nuts over the Bayberry scent--it's subtle, but very, very nice.

I have tried Noble Otter soaps, after noticing one in Obie's SOTD photos. These are decent performing soaps, about like the vegan Oleo soaps. Barrbarr is a nice barbershop scent, and has a little bay rum in it, similar to the scent of the barber shop I went to as a kid in the 50's. I also enjoyed the scent of The Noir Et Vanille. I was looking forward to The Trail, as it was supposed to be similar to venturing through the forests in the Pacific Northwest, where I've spent as much time as possible the past 30 years. He must have been camping out near where the bears had been crapping in the woods to come up with this retched scent, which quickly went into the trash. I didn't even have the heart to gift it to anyone. I will occasionally use the other two soaps, however.

[Phrank]

I've actually been using more traditional soaps myself, lately. However, whenever I use the classics too many days in a row, I tend to get bored with the scents, although I like them, and start looking for an artisan soap that I haven't used in awhile. I tried to use MdC for a week, and although the shaves were terrific, I gave up and moved on after a few days.

I haven't tried anything that has lit up my life. I've been impressed with the new formulation of Stone Cottage Soapworks creams lately. Of course not as good as CF creams, but better than AOS and many other creams. I didn't care for their previous formulation, but this new one is terrific. I am a little nuts over the Bayberry scent--it's subtle, but very, very nice.

I have tried Noble Otter soaps, after noticing one in Obie's SOTD photos. These are decent performing soaps, about like the vegan Oleo soaps. Barrbarr is a nice barbershop scent, and has a little bay rum in it, similar to the scent of the barber shop I went to as a kid in the 50's. I also enjoyed the scent of The Noir Et Vanille. I was looking forward to The Trail, as it was supposed to be similar to venturing through the forests in the Pacific Northwest, where I've spent as much time as possible the past 30 years. He must have been camping out near where the bears had been crapping in the woods to come up with this retched scent, which quickly went into the trash. I didn't even have the heart to gift it to anyone. I will occasionally use the other two soaps, however.

You still liking the Hemingway soaps and wasn't there other authours as well?