The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

Gentlemen,

Through the years, I have experienced a vast collection of soaps and creams. And brushes. I think I prefer lathering to shaving, really. My soaps and cream are categorized in tiers: first tier, second tier, and the basement. My rating of these soaps and creams is gauged by five elements: richness of lather, cushion, glide, fragrance, and aftershave feel. Yes, price is important, too, but I am more concerned about quality. Since I have spent a fortune on traditional shaving, a few more shekels aren't going to hurt.

The following are my tiered products — obviously of the ones I have used. Please realize that this rating is only my opinion. You may have yours. I have avoided claiming one particular soap or cream as the greatest, or the eighth wonder of the world, for after all, each product stands on its own. I love many soaps just as much as I do Martin de Candre. I have taken the liberty of not mentioning some new, and I feel hyped, soaps and creams I don't particularly care for — why bother? The listenings in each tier are in no particular order.

First Tier

Soap: Martin de Candre, Czech & Speak, D.R. Harris, Klar Seifen, Saponificio Varesino, Zingari Man, PannaCrema, Valobra, Antica Barberia Cola, Abbate y La Mantia, Cold River, Meissner Tremonia, Institute Karite, Provence Sante, Tabac.

Cream: Castle Forbes, Esbjerg, Baum.Be, D.R. Harris, Alvarez Gomez, Penhaligon’s, Truefitt & Hill, The Art of Shaving, St. James of London, Geo F. Trumper, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Simpsons, OneBlade, Haircut & Shave Co.,

Second Tier:

Soap:

Lea, Barrister & Mann, La Savonnerie du bon Berger, Portos Cale, Mama Bear, L'Ocitane Cade, Plisson, La Toja, eShave, Mondial, Green Mountain, Penhaligon's, Wickham 1912, Le Pere Lucien, Los Angeles Shave Company, Hasslinger's, Wholly Kaw, Proraso, Mike's Natural Soaps, Arko, Catie's Bubble, The Art of shaving, Ariana & Evans, Oleo, Catie’s Bubbles Gardenia, Mitchell’s Wool Fat.

Cream:

Xpec, Santa Maria Novella, Rose of Bulgaria, Maca Root, Proraso, Cella, Speik, Cyril Salter.

Third Tier:

Soap:

RazoRock, Die Vergulde Hande, Tabula Rasa, Boellis Panama 1924, Lorenzo Villerosi, Mystic Waters, Bathhouse Spanish Fig Soaps, Scottish Fine Soaps, Dr. Dittmar, Coats, Savon du Barbear, Erasmic, Gold Dachs, Muhle, Edwin Jagger, Fume, Crabtree & Evelyn, Phoenix, Tcheon Fong, La Cigale, Henri et Victoria, Floris.

Cream: Musgo Real, Palmolive, J.M. Frazer's.

Basement:

[U]Soap[U]:

Van Der Hagen, Williams, Geo F Trumper, Colonel Conk, Holy Black.

Cream:

Institute Karite.

Sensitive:

Soap: Lea, Mitchell’s Wool Fat, Cold Mountain, Zingari Man, The Art of Shaving unscented, Truefitt & Hill unscented, Czech & Speak, D.R. Harris natural, Edwin Jagger Aloe Vera, Muhle Aloe Vera.

Cream: Castle Forbes,Taylor of Old Bond Street Jrmyn Street, Lea, The Art of Shaving unscented, Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort, OneBlade.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen,

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First Tier, in no particular order, products still available, and names off the top of my head:

Martin de Candre soap, Castle Forbes cream, Xpec cream, Le Pere Lucien soap, Czech & Speak soap, Antica Barbieria Cola soap, Esbjerg cream, Baum.Be. cream, D.R. Harris Arlington soap, Alvarez Gomez cream, Acqua di Parma cream, Penhaligon's cream.

Second Tier, in no particular order:

Mitchell's Wool Fat soap, I Colonial soap, Provence Sante soap, La Cigale soap, Saponificio Varesino soap, Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn Street cream, Trumper rose and violet creams, Harris Windsor cream, Santa Maria Novella cream, Lea soap, Tabac soap, Barrister & Mann Latha and Santal soaps.

Third Tier, or the basement:

Who cares?

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I see what you did there :roflmao you Little Devil you,,,,,,:rofl2:

Actually I care,, when I see reviews form members that have experienced a variety of creams & soaps, I am better able to adjust my buy/wish list. I will end up getting the Castle Forbes next,,,then the Arlington.

Thanks for taking the time to make your list.

Thanks for your opinions and great soaps and creams , I have not been disappointed with any of your choices so far, Be well my friend. Tc

A very enjoyable post Obie, great lineup and interesting thought's, Thank you for posting this.


Scott

Thanks. Nice list. I enjoy the later and after shave so much. Integral to a perfect shave for me. I mean, I love the straight....but it needs is slick, frothy friend to be it's best!

I find it interesting that you put the Esbjerg in your first tier. I REALLY like their creams. The sensitive skin is truly for sense skin. My wife uses it with no issue, and she has very sensitive skin that gets easily irritated by most products. And it's got a very refreshing and light citrus fragrance. And I LOVE the grapefruit. The matching aftershave balm (winter) and gel (summer) are awesome. The creams score high for me in all your categories, and in conjunction with their aftershave leaves my skin feeling clean, smooth and moisturized without feeling wet or sticky.

I don't hear many people mention it, but it's top notch.

The Esbjerg straights, which I believe we're made by a forum member, are also very awesome....but off topic for this post!

Thanks again! Like Hirlau, I like to use these lists to refine my future purchases so I can experience some brands I may not have heard of ir tried.

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CZMark

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.

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The cream is good and worth the try. I still consider Castle Forbes the crowning achievements in creams, but there are other good ones, including Penhaligon's.

Thanks for this Obie. A few years back I had a shave with some friends at a Barber Shop. The soap and cream they were using was D.R. Harris Arlington. There were 4 of us gents, and there were 2 Barbers Shaving. One had the Arlington in a soap, one had it in a cream. I remember the scent and how much I liked it, and ever since been meaning to pick some up. I was going to start a new thread asking which is better, the soap or the Cream. This thread just answered that question. Thank you.

I value your opinion very much Obie. We are very lucky to have you here. Please continue to post threads like this regarding all aspects of shaving.

Harry, my friend, bless your heart for the kind words Thank you.