The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Moueix]

Spendur, how right you are on this one. Acqua Di Parma is another cream with one in the Second Tier. Interesting that you bring it up, because I'm just about ready to ship it to the Second Tier, like St. James of London.
Being in the same class as Martin de Candre, Castle Forbes, Xpec and some of the others is a tall order. I think Aqua Di Parma does not quite reach the level.

OMG, THANK you for this list again. I came back from vacation yesterday to find the Xpec in my mail pile. I also got in two brand new "factory shave ready" razors, a Boker Tree Brand 5/8 Inox, and a Dovo Encina 6/8. Hit both razors with a polish on an opaque Hard Arkie, Crox strop, then regular stropping. Used one on each side of my face with the Xpec cream. BEST, CLOSEST shave I have had yet. Both razors performed equally well. Pretty sure it wasn't my honing skills (first time ever on a straight) doing that magic.

[ocotillo]

If AdP smells great, you must have the older version, as the newest one is scentless (why they got rid of the scent in their cream, I'll never know). However, the new version is also worlds ahead of the old one in terms of performance. At least for me, the current version would remain in tier 1, while the previous one would drop to tier 2.

I agree with your assessment of the newest version of AdP. While I find the fragrance of the newest version, Barbiere, not as appealing as the older version, Colonia, the performance of the Barbiere is vastly superior to the older version and is a First Tier cream on my rating scale. AdP cream is packaged in two versions, one in a tub and the other in a tube. They have slightly different ingredients and differ a bit in performance. Both are excellent.

Similarly, the newest version of Santa Maria Novella v.3, is a vastly different cream than all previous SNM versions. It is a vastly improved product that is no longer manufactured by Ludovico Martelli, the makers of Proraso. The newest SMN v.3 has different ingredients, a delightful Tabacco toscano cologne fragrance, and provides superb performance. While I would rate previous SMN versions as a Tier Two cream at best, the newest SMN v.3 is a definite Tier One cream on my list.

[MW76]

In my never ending pursuit to try all of Obies First Tier soaps before i leave this earth, i have purchased and recently used the D.R. Harris Marlborough shaving cream.

Here's what i thought, and keep in mind i have only been at it about 3 months and have used at this point about 9 or 10 different soaps. I think i'm somewhere near my 50th shave.

The scent of this cream is very subtle, definitely not a scent bomb. The woodsy smell is very light, yet very refreshing. I think this is a more sudsy cream then the few others i've tried. The lather seemed lighter going on, but let me say the glide was very smooth. The lather felt light and very effective.



I did a nice clean 3 pass shave and this cream did the trick.

From Obies first tier, to my first tier.

Thank you again sir!

[Daro]

Gentlemen,

After some more experiments, I have decided to send St. James of London to Second Tier.

Thanks Obie. Well that is off my list now... Only three more of your T1 soaps to try. I have been really enjoying the Czech & Speake on your recommendation. I have tried all 3 CF scents and all are great.

[MW76]

Again an excellent shaving cream. I would describe the smell as 'exactly what a dudes face should smell like'. Citrusy and piney and just great all around.. Got a very nice creamy lather with excellent glide. I went with the Pure Badger brush but i think i would prefer the Boar with this soap. It got a little too creamy on the Badger. I like a little scrubbing action from the brush when i lather.

Another great soap has been added to my collection. Ill be taking a soap purchasing break for a bit but i was excited about these last few and had to share.

Obie you win again, you always do.

[mlucassr]

Just had a terrific week shaving with klar soap and finishing it off with klar aftershave its truly a wonderful shave, also last week was great with D.R. HARRIS soaps Marlborough, and Arlington tremendous, finishing it off with both aftershave milks, great shelves are so fulfilling

[markbignosekelly]

Have any of you guys made a super lather with the 2nd and 3rd tiers to see what happens?
I apologise if this has already been covered but for me, take some Simpsons shaving cream rub it on your face then load up some mitchells wool fat. Now these are both 2nd tier for me but the two together, 1st tier all the way.
Its a fun way to use up soaps/creams that would otherwise be forgotten about.

[tcrideshd]

I have taken soaps that were lacking and added glycerin to them to get the smooth uber lather bit it didn't take that soap to tier one, as for mixing two lower tiered to get to the first tier? No. But that's me, the math don't work but this is a YMMV and as Obie said my opinion only, so if they don't work out,Mir goes n the shower, or in one case to the dogs bath. Tc

[mainaman]

Have any of you guys made a super lather with the 2nd and 3rd tiers to see what happens?
I apologise if this has already been covered but for me, take some Simpsons shaving cream rub it on your face then load up some mitchells wool fat. Now these are both 2nd tier for me but the two together, 1st tier all the way.
Its a fun way to use up soaps/creams that would otherwise be forgotten about.

Yes it works pretty well for me, but I can't promote a low tier soap for performing with additives. It is still a low tier soap for me.

[BobH]

Have any of you guys made a super lather with the 2nd and 3rd tiers to see what happens?
I apologise if this has already been covered but for me, take some Simpsons shaving cream rub it on your face then load up some mitchells wool fat. Now these are both 2nd tier for me but the two together, 1st tier all the way.
Its a fun way to use up soaps/creams that would otherwise be forgotten about.

When I have combine any 2 soaps/creams, regardless of their "tier", I got a very nice lather. Even tried Cremo, a brushless cream, with a normal soap/cream and got a good result. I am sure there are combinations that don't work well but so far so good.

Bob