The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[ZipZop]

Aloha!

Well, my first tier continues to migrate, as it always has done since I started shaving with Williams Mug soap decades ago. Currently I'm putting Speik Cream and Tabac Soap right among my top tiers. The Germans (IMO) have it figured out. Both of these rival my most expensive soaps and creams with regard to lather, protection, and of course scent. I have the complete line of products from both, and I can't say that I enjoy any soap/cream BETTER than these two German products.

I have also been highly enjoying Ariana and Evans, especially "Asian Plum". Their new Kaizen base is amazing, and the fragrances from this company are astounding. Definitely a top tier soap company in my Den.

I'm also migrating more and more to Truefitt and Hill. Their "West Indian Limes" is very pleasant is currently on my top shelf. Their tub of cream is an amazing product that yields a silky smooth shave every time. The very first time I used this cream I forgot it was a cream in a soap tub. I loaded the brush like it was going to be my last shave forever. I had enough cream in that brush for 10 shaves.

Out of left field there is one more soap that has gained access to my top tier shelf. That's the limited production run of "Governor's Island" from Talbot Shaving. They made a very low production run of this soap for Pasteur's Pharmacy in NYC. I could only buy ONE tub because that was the limit for such a low production run, but I wish I could have purchased a dozen. It's my favorite scent of all time, and the lather and protection it provides are absolutely superior. I contacted Talbot and told him how much I loved the product. I doubt he'll do another run because it was supposed to be "exclusive". If he does run another production, I'll be first in line.

[JOB15]

You won’t need to bloom the new formula at all Joseph. I’m using an old puck of the Elite in the shower now, lovely bath soap.

Oddly, I like the scent of the Elite soap as much as the 89, but the Elite EdT (bought directly from Floris) doesn’t strike me the same way as the soap. Go figure.

Funny you say that because the 89 soap has an amazing scent imo, it lead me to buy the 89 EDT which now i cannot stand.
I have tried to convince myself to like it but failed..
One thing i did realise is that early morning usage makes it much more acceptable to my nose

[JOB15]

You will like the new Floris hard soaps.

I checked my Floris 89 soap to find that it is the new formula.. I do remember extensive blooming of all the soaps that did not work very well and it was the 89 which won.
It could be like the D.R soaps, sometimes they work well and other times not. It could be down to technique , water softness, different batches, star alignments?

[markbignosekelly]

You won’t need to bloom the new formula at all Joseph. I’m using an old puck of the Elite in the shower now, lovely bath soap.

Oddly, I like the scent of the Elite soap as much as the 89, but the Elite EdT (bought directly from Floris) doesn’t strike me the same way as the soap. Go figure.

Funny you say that because the 89 soap has an amazing scent imo, it lead me to buy the 89 EDT which now i cannot stand.
I have tried to convince myself to like it but failed..
One thing i did realise is that early morning usage makes it much more acceptable to my nose

I've found the same with a few soap/cream and EDT combos. The EDT are far more concentrated fragrance.

I love Floris 89 edt. Very James Bond. Suave and sophisticated. Just like myself.....

Generally speaking the British creams are superior to the soaps but once my Floris 89 cream has run out I'm going to try the soap.

[JOB15]

I've found the same with a few soap/cream and EDT combos. The EDT are far more concentrated fragrance.

I love Floris 89 edt. Very James Bond. Suave and sophisticated. Just like myself.....

Generally speaking the British creams are superior to the soaps but once my Floris 89 cream has run out I'm going to try the soap.

Hi Mark, have you tried the Penhaligon's creams yet, they are top notch..
One thing that Floris will always have my admiration for is the Women's scent "Cherry Blossom" it is really special, please buy it for your missus , i insist

[markbignosekelly]

Hi Mark, have you tried the Penhaligon's creams yet, they are top notch..
One thing that Floris will always have my admiration for is the Women's scent "Cherry Blossom" it is really special, please buy it for your missus , i insist

Yep, love Penhaligons Creams. Scent and performance are outstanding.

Just had a look at Floris cherry blossom, sounds amazing.
The fragrance notes seem to be exactly what the wife likes. Her birthday is in February.

[Steve56]

Here’s a little eye candy for the Floris fans.

[JOB15]

Today i went up to Taylors Of Old Bond St. and purchased this soap. My intentions were to buy a ceramic bowl, unfortunately their ceramic soap bowls (£30) with lid are tiny, for use with a 57g puck. I hummed and harred then decided just buy a normal sized puck and if i want ceramic bowls then i can go to D.R Harris who sell beautiful ceramic soap bowls, full sized.

I just made a lather with the soap which has a poor fragrance imo. It was quick to lather and seemed to dissipate quickly. On the plus side it has excellent slickness . At the moment it seems not worthy of a shave however my first impressions concerning soaps are normally wrong..
I have yet to find a hard soap the can stand up against Czech & Speake or Institut Karite .. Searching is the fun part though..
Cheers

[nessmuck]

This puck of soap should be in every shave den..

[BobH]

I have yet to find a hard soap the can stand up against Czech & Speake or Institut Karite .. Searching is the fun part though..
Cheers

Funny, when I tried Institut Karite I thought it was terrible to lather and used it as hand soap. I do have another puck so will give it a go again.

Bob