Thread: Hooked on artisan soaps

Originally Posted by beluga

Been there - done that...

But over time I realized that there are not that many truly outstanding soaps (artisan or otherwise) and I take now the announcements of the latest discoveries with a grain of salt.

In fact, the last "artisan soap" that I truly enjoyed discovering was Martin de Candre, which hardly qualifies as new.

Truth be told, sometimes I get more satisfaction from some cheap soap like Palmolive that get's the job done exceedingly well for a few pennies.

I am far from allowing some artisan soap to "take over my life", as you put it. I now rather sit on the fence, wait for the hype to subside and watch which artisan soap passes the test of time.

I guess it's safe to say that most of them won't.



B.


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As I said, I have not tried any artisan soaps in a while, and if MdC is truly an artisan soap I stand corrected, but I could not agree with this post more, especially about MdC and Palmolive!

What is "artisan" soap ?


If I was to go with what is predominantly touted as "artisan soap" on North American shaving fora, then to me, it means amateurish melt and pour stuff, usually with an ugly label and occasionally a french word salad for a name.

Trust me, it's not that difficult to make a soap that produces lather suitable for shaving. So to say it works, or lathers well, isn't a measure of excellence. Usually, it is the "artisan" with loudest megaphone that has the highest number of adherents.

Having said this, Martin de Candre is artisan soap, but clearly in a different league from the above.

Originally Posted by beluga

But over time I realized that there are not that many truly outstanding soaps (artisan or otherwise) and I take now the announcements of the latest discoveries with a grain of salt.

Truth be told, sometimes I get more satisfaction from some cheap soap like Palmolive that get's the job done exceedingly well for a few pennies.

I now rather sit on the fence, wait for the hype to subside and watch which artisan soap passes the test of time.

I guess it's safe to say that most of them won't.

Originally Posted by Badgister

What is "artisan" soap ?


If I was to go with what is predominantly touted as "artisan soap" on North American shaving fora, then to me, it means amateurish melt and pour stuff, usually with an ugly label and occasionally a french word salad for a name.

Trust me, it's not that difficult to make a soap that produces lather suitable for shaving. So to say it works, or lathers well, isn't a measure of excellence. Usually, it is the "artisan" with loudest megaphone that has the highest number of adherents.

Dang I barely have to say a word after that

You guys summed up my feelings rather succinctly

I am trying to think if their are actually more then 5-6 "Soap Makers" out there that have "TRUTHFULLY" been around longer than 5 years..

Personally I have tried a few "Artisan" soaps including MdC and find they work as well as any non artisan soaps I have tried. Most all soaps I have tried work well enough for me. Just not too fussy, I suppose, happily using Arko or MdC and most in between.

Bob

Originally Posted by Badgister

What is "artisan" soap ?

I'm would also like to know what qualifies as an artisan soap? Some things I associate with artisan are hand made from natural, or as close to natural as possible, products using traditional methods. Is there an accepted list of criteria for artisan soaps?

I guess I'll reword my original post. I'm enjoying certain soaps wether they be classified as artisan or otherwise or wether they're in their beginnings or long established. As a newer straight shaver I am enjoying the different scents and lathering properties. I will never likely be all that fussy as to what the greatest lathering soap is as I don't have super sensitive skin. Hopefully that conveys my point more clearly. I wasn't trying to start a classification war. I full well plan to try Mdc eventually and from the sounds of it I will likely enjoy the hell out of it, I haven't gotten around to it yet and I am personally enjoying the above stated soap makers

I really don't know what classifies a soap as "artisan made" either, but to me, it's a hobbyist mixing small batches, often as experiments, at home in the bathtub. Perhaps not having tight control over ingredients or methods per batch.

But, and I admit I can be wrong, that's my perception..

I have been using Barrister and Mann soaps almost exclusively for the past year. I'm sure others here are probably tired of me proclaiming its superiority. And one of the greatest values is their Latha line of soaps. Inexpensive and it beats the competition in my mind. The scents can be quirky but the performance surpasses all other soaps, mass produced or otherwise, IMO.

Cold River Soap Works is excellent as are a few others. Exceptionally consistent across the board which is kinda hard to do "in a bathtub" I would imagine.

This week I just tried a "Mama Bears" glycerin soap (it's clear), which was an excellent experience. I also am a fan of Wet Shaving Products "Rustic Shaving Soap" & "Formula T" and Route 66 shaving soap from retroshaveshop.com. These all provide excellent shaves with very little if any irritation. These all have a myriad of pleasant scents to try, and I doubt anyone would be disappointed, especially for the price. I have MDC, Antica Barberia Colla, Castle Forbes, etc. but these "cheap" artisan soaps get used more often. Through the Fire Fine Craft has a great soap too, they make the soaps for Maggard Razors.