Thread: My current American soap top five. What are yours?

I've been playing with the artisan soaps as of late and I have some I really like, in no particular order.

• Stirling - I'm a big fan of Stirling and its owners. The soaps are great, assuming that you like tallow soaps, and with the wide variety of spot-on fragrances almost anyone should be able to find one they like. If I have one "complaint" its that some scents (or perhaps batches) seem to lather better than others but I haven't been able to complain about any of my experiences. My favorite scents are Gin & Tonic as well as Margaritas in the Arctic but there are quite a few more that I want to try.
  
• Dr. Jon's - I've only used the Anne Bonny at this point but it was a good quality soap that built a very respectable lather. While I personally enjoyed their take on bay rum I learned that my wife isn't a fan of the scent at all so it was left on the adoption table at a meet. I'm not rushing out to buy another Dr. Jon's offering but they're certain to get more of my business in the future.
  
• Sudsy Soapery - This one is pretty under-the-radar but they're a local outfit and I bought this at the St. Louis Wet Shavers' Meet back in June because I fell in love with the Delor de Treget scent (this was an limited run, collaboration soap with Chatillon Lux). I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised that this soap lathered so well and I've added tubs of their Twice Mint as well as the Peppermint & Lavender to my collection. The later is an interesting combination that is both invigorating and soothing at the same time, a favorite choice when I opt for a bedtime shave.
  
• Fine Accoutrements - I bought pucks of Fine's American Blend and Snake Bite last winter and I couldn't be more pleased with their products. These soaps lather almost as well as D.R. Harris, in my opinion, and are a pleasure to use. I will include this one with the caveat that it may not be an "American" soap in that I believe that these pucks are actually produced in the Netherlands under contract to Fine Accoutrements. Whatever the case, the price is right and the soap is triple-milled goodness that builds a fine lather. That reminds me...I'm due for another puck of American Blend.

On the topic of Catie's Bubbles I'm going to dissent. I bought a tub of the limited run Tactical Support sometime back and I like it, the scent is novel and somehow the notes of gunpowder, solvent and oil are more pleasing in a soap than you might imagine. The same day I ditched Anne Bonny I replaced her with a tub of Le Piment de la Vie from the same adoption table. This one appealed to me as I gave it a sniff but is just too sweet for me to shave with. All-in-all I just don't build a great lather with Catie's Bubbles, I wouldn't steer anyone away from it but it certainly isn't anywhere near the performer that my other soaps are.

My top five American soap list is much different than my overall top five list. In no particular order or ranking:

1. Mike's Natural: I've been using his soaps for about 4 1/2 years, and they remain on top of my list. Just a great product and one that I compare other soaps to.

2. Barrister & Mann: Some of Will's scents are a little wacky, but the performance of his soaps is always excellent.

3. Wholly Kaw: I've only been using these soaps recently. I love soaps with donkey milk, and some of these soaps have been offered in a limited edition tallow formula with donkey milk. I think donkey milk brings the quality of soaps up one notch, especially the richness of that lather and post-shave face feel.

4. Cold River Soap Works: Larry is a true gentleman and someone who strives to use the very best ingredients in his soaps. He also is constantly trying to improve on the performance of his soaps, and his current formulation is fantastic.

5. Mystic Water: Michelle is a master at scents, and her soaps leave the face very soft and feeling great all day.

My favorite American vegan soap is probably Sapone Di Paolo, but Dr. Jon's in on my list to try. I generally prefer tallow soaps (especially those with donkey milk), although there are many excellent vegan soaps available (e.g. MdC).

For those of us here who remember Colleen Hurley, aka "The Soap Mistress" @ The Gentlemans Quarter. She is back in business. Best handcrafted soap in the USA IMHO. She can be found on Facebook. Already got my order in and can't wait to make this my everyday soap once again. The right lather, smell and glide. I have not been content with any other soap since she originally went offline and I am very grateful she is back in business.

Is there another way to purchase her soap , as I don't Facebook?

IMHO we are blessed/cursed with more than a few high quality and creative soap makers...

Like many here I have "the basket" (box, tote, drawer) of soaps...
So recently I've been working through that basket trying to reduce my backlog down to under a decade.
After finishing the Barister & Mann Seville I stumbled on to a block of Mikes Hungarian Lavender that was still unused.
Not only was it great, with amazing dense and slick lather...it came with the sobering realization that there is so much more out there...

Gird they loins and steel they resolve lest you be the owner of the "foot-locker of SAD"

Originally Posted by JBHoren

American shaving soaps... well, for my money there are only two -- one of them is no longer producing his, and the other is only now getting back on her feet. But, wotthehell, eh? I use all of them, regularly.

Note: All of these were EO (Essential Oil), only. Thankfully, what I have left of each will last me well into "the next life".

1. QED Wild Rose (a group-buy on B&B in February 2007)
2. QED Vetiver
3. QED Sandalwood
4. QED Anise & Lavender
5. TGQ Desert Ironwood (available for purchase here)

You're a trusted source always, Desert Ironwood and Savon de Campagne on the way...thanks JB...I remember trying to get a hold of QED when I read your thoughts about it in the 1st Tier thread many moons ago....the Anise and Lavender sounds amazing...thanks!

At the moment, these would be my picks:

1. Mystic Water
2. L&L Grooming
3. Mike's
4. Sapone di Paolo
5. Cold River/Shannon's/B&M

I am curious to try Grooming Department and Wholly Kaw (tallow), though.

Gentlemen,

My top five American artisan-made soaps are:

Oleo Soap Works
LA Shaving Co.
Barrister & Mann
Mike's Natural Soaps
Mama Bear

I am especially impressed with Oleo Soap Works, made in Chicago. Love the Windy City scent, as it is clean and powdery. Good stuff.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Is there another way to purchase her soap , as I don't Facebook?

https://store7615153.ecwid.com/

Thanks JB,,,,,,,,