The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Moueix]

I've been wanting to try Penhaligon's cream, but have heard little mention of it on this forum--now I feel safe laying out the cash for it. I have used samples of ABC soap and really liked it, but have not bought a full-size jar because I cannot decide whether to get the soap or the cream.

Thanks for the post.

Fwiw, I'm a total noob, but I am a hedonist in many things. Only most lately, Straight shaving. I ordered the Penhaligons Endymion with my first kit, but upon advice that the C.O. Bigelow was also very good, found it deeply discounted at B&BW and went deep. I've been alternating between the two.

First off, the Bigelow comes from the tube in about a 5mm diameter. The Penhaligon, maybe 2mm. I find that a 1" long strip of the Bigelow doesn't need much water at ALL before becoming soupy, difficult to contain within the brush when brush is held knot down, and doesn't feel "rich" going on, no matter how much I whip it in the cup.

A similar length of the Penhaligons, requires quite a bit of water, a little at a time, and produces a very rich lather. So rich, if I bother to leave it on while I strop, it often is dry and comes off like snowflakes. Whereupon, I have to re-lather. Another thing, is that the same amount of penhaligons, when I scrape the brush on the side of the bowl, will produce more than enough base to rewhip with additional water for a full second, and then again even a third pass.

While the Penhaligons is triple the cost of the Bigelow, I'll go out on a limb, and say that it probably takes almost 3x as much Bigelow to produce the same lather, and it is of inferior quality lather at that. I'll be looking to buy more Penhaligon when I see it at a good price.

[Moueix]

Obie,

THANK you, for the Thank You. That's high praise after reading your many wonderful posts about the best of the best creams. As we know, the scent of our cream or soap is pretty much gone after a final rinse and pat. I'm 30+ years from my last non-electric shave, and when I did use a blade, I didn't like "after shaves". They seemed mostly about scent, and the alcohol burn did more to irritate than soothe, styptic or astringenate (is that a word?) my face. An alum block lacks scent, and while almost shockingly effective as all get out for minor scrapes and to provide astringency, leaves nothing for soothing.

I see no such magnificent lists such as your "First Tier" and "Seven Wonders" threads for post shave products. My new favorite Go-To shaving supply house, provided a small sample of I Coloniali Mango Kernel Oil balm with my last order. While it DID burn like an aftershave for a moment, it was then instantly cooling, and the smell is rather divine.

Before I stock the pantry with this, might I trouble you to provide, or point me to, what you consider to be "First Tier" and "Seven Wonder" products for this purpose? I think my skin, like yours, is more on the sensitive side and I would love your input. Thank you in advance should you care to share.

Edit, oh, and I am ordering some of the Xpec cream based on your recommendations. As you seem to prefer it, even to the wonderful Penhaligon Endymion, I'm sure I will treasure it.

[Obie]

Moueix,

Thank you for the kind words. Thank you also for the aftershave and balm suggestion.
I will start a thread in the aftershave section and do something similar — of the ones I have used. Give me a day or so.

[Moueix]

Moueix,

Thank you for the kind words. Thank you also for the aftershave and balm suggestion.
I will start a thread in the aftershave section and do something similar — of the ones I have used. Give me a day or so.

That would be FABULOUS, Obie! You can't know how much I appreciate information such as you provided on the shave creams. It can save those of us who are new to Straight Razor shaving, SO much time and money in NOT having to wade through the oceans of information and products that are out there. Your experience, AND your willingness to share it, are truly welcome! Please tag me with the information when you share it? Thank you again!

[mlucassr]

I agree with those sentiments, I think it would be nice as well Obie if you did a top tier list for beginners for straight razors, and brushes with your vast knowledge, I'm sure you have some very useful thoughts on those subjects, I've found some products on that 2nd tier group that I haven't tried, just a thought, because I'm curious as well.
You are a Great resource sir.

[DetailMan]

I had some play time with PannaCrema Namaste, and Valobra Fougere hard soap, both preform great for me. Those two are going in the first tier of soaps for me.

I've been pondering a tub of Valobra for quite some time. I have the Valobra soap stick and happen to think, outside of a lack of scent, it's one of the best soap sticks I've tried. Your comment has pushed me over the edge and I'm gonna purchase a tub in the near future.

[mainaman]

I've been pondering a tub of Valobra for quite some time. I have the Valobra soap stick and happen to think, outside of a lack of scent, it's one of the best soap sticks I've tried. Your comment has pushed me over the edge and I'm gonna purchase a tub in the near future.

Hope you like it, I had the soft soap version but it did not perform as well as the hard soap.

[OCDshaver]

mainaman and I seem to be sharing the same problem - I went at this LPL with a Semogue Boar brush and hardcore loaded the brush, went to the scuttle and got it going, loaded again, and it ended up failing middle of the shave - this is a consistent experience with this soap; hence, it got boxed, just too much drama for me to get a fine lather....LOL.

And I'm a "No Drama" type for my shaving soaps.....

This is a pisser. When I build a lather with a good soap, it stands up in the bowl for....well, forever. Three days later it's still there, dry by now but standing up straight.

[Moueix]

Obie you have done a GREAT service, I can not ever repay you for your insights and wisdom in shave soaps and creams.
This thread has provided a great service to all wet shavers.
I have spent thousands of dollars on junk sorting this out on my own.
The OBIE THREAD is priceless. I cannot ever thank-you enough.
We should get some tabouli and lamb shwarma if you ever get to Detroit. Babaganosh and Hummis with garlic sauce all around family style.

Haha... If THAT ever happens, please tag me! I'd be delighted to share that tab with you because A.) Obie! yeah, and B.) Lamb Shwarma?!? OMG.. yum.

[mlucassr]

Shwarma, and a cold one