The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Phrank]

Gentlemen,

I must admit, the fragrance of Panna Crema Nuavia Blu is worlds apart from that of the Rossa version of this Italian soft soap. I found Rossa's fragrance really unpleasant. Blu blends a variety of notes such as orange, lavender and bergamot with some exotic stuff to create a fragrance that reminds me of Italian pastries.

The soap lathers well. Cushion and glide are good. The aftershave quality is good. I like the hand painted ceramic bowl in which it comes. Is this soap exceptional? No, I don't think so. Good, yes, exceptional, no. I think Panna Crema Nuavia, both Blu and Rossa, which are the only ones I have tried, belong in the top end of the Second Tier soaps.

Thanks Obie and Richard, great reviews.

I've been dying to try these two, several times have come close to pulling the trigger, always something prevented me at the last second.

Then reading about it's performance, and the Rossa, that one got removed, was thinking about Blu, but again, hefty price for mixed reviews....so think I'll just wait and see if one comes along slightly used. Been one too many times, read about an epic soap, and have been less than pleased when it arrived.

If I got right down to it, as with your original intention with this thread, if I really put the Top Tier 1 criteria to all the soaps I've tried, it might actually be hard to find 10 that are solidly in this category.

Love this thread though....it's such an enabler!

[Obie]

Gentlemen,

Some changes and additions:

I have moved PannaCrema Nuavia Blu to the First Tier. The more I use this soap the more I like it. The aftershave properties are not the greatest, but neither are those from Martin de Candre. Yet the soaps have enough qualities to belong in the First Tier. Also, I do like the fragrance in the Blu. PannaCrema Nuavia Rossa, however, is in the Second Tier. Even though it has the same overall qualities of its brother Blu, I find the fragrance so unpleasant that I can't see the soap in the First Tier.

The three soaps I have tried recently and liked are: Phoenix Alt-Eleven, Phoenix Harvest Moon and Catie's Bubbles Un Jour Gris. All three are about equal in lather, cushion, glide and aftershave qualities. The fragrance on all three is clean and fresh, not overwhelming. The strongest fragrance is in Phoenix Alt-Eleven, which I find quite pleasant. These soaps do deserve to be in the Second Tier. The Portuguese Lavanda shave cream is Third Tier.

As always, gentlemen, for what is worth, this is only my opinion.

[rawfox1]

I am glad you finally woke up and added Blu to the first tier it took you long enough LOL

Sent from my SM-T817V using Tapatalk

[Obie]

I am glad you finally woke up and added Blu to the first tier it took you long enough LOL

Sent from my SM-T817V using Tapatalk

I needed to work with the soap a little more. I think it's a good soap and the lather smooth. I do like the fragrance, too.

[nessmuck]

I needed to work with the soap a little more. I think it's a good soap and the lather smooth. I do like the fragrance, too.

Can you get that Blu ...in the states ?

[Obie]

Can you get that Blu ...in the states ?

Yes, The Handle Bar Supply Shaving Soap & Cream - PannaCrema - The HandleBar Supply carries it, although the vendor is out of stock.

[nessmuck]

So..Obie..how many soaps and creams might one find ,in you shave den,at any given time ?

[Obie]

So..Obie..how many soaps and creams might one find ,in you shave den,at any given time ?

Well, I live in a condominium and my space is limited. Fortunately, the dearly beloved has designated the second, smaller bathroom as my little kingdom. So with that in mind, I have three drawers under the shave den counter packed with unused soaps and creams, around 50, I would say. The soaps and creams for daily use, about 15 that I can fit comfortably, are lined up in an open closet next to the counter.

[nessmuck]

And I assume they are all first tier ....life is too short for anything else !

[HARRYWALLY]

This may have been touched on already, but, I'm curious about the Baume.Be soap. Has it recently come to the market, and if so has anyone given it a go? (Not talking about the cream, the hard soap.)