Thread: Acca Kappa Almond Shave Soap-A mini Review.

I was talking about Acca Kappa Shave Soap in the main soap thread but decided to open a separate thread for it because it deserves it.

So, first I received the Almond version yesterday and had a chance to use it this morning. I got the version with the African Wenge Bowl. If you take the typical wood shaving bowls and I'm thinking MDC or Penhaligon or Dr Harris well this bowl is about three times the size and about 4 times the thickness. it's a beast in the same way the C&S aluminum bowls are no typical "shave tins" they are heavy machined aluminum, coated and with engine turning.

The Almond scent is not the typical sweet almond but is more a clean scent. Unfortunately I'm not good at scents and it has something else in it but I can't put my finger on it. The scent is moderately strong with emphasis on the strong. I was using my kent brush which is small and usually I have to re lather once during the shave. Not with this stuff. The lather instantly exploded and I had all kinds left over after the shave.

From a technical standpoint it hits all the buttons in spades. Cushion, lube, glide, you name it. I thought the Cedar variation had more lube to it but the cedar had more lube than any soap I've ever used so the almond wasn't so extreme but still had more than ample lube to it.

Once the shave is finished the soap leaves behind a mild almond scent and it does something that no soap I have ever used does like this one. It leaves your face feeling really great with that great clean sensation.

The Cedar does not leave this sensation and cleans off totally.

So How do I rate this stuff? I rate it as the best. Better than MDC or Castle Forbes or anything else for that matter. I would put the Cedar number 2 and then MDC and then Abbate and then Castle Forbes.

My opinion of course and if you don't like almond or cedar both these soaps are worthless to you and of course the Hollywood face Crowd should use caution with any Italian Soap.

If you decide to get the wood bowl Fendrihan has the best price. Amazon has it but the price is extreme.

Nelson, I see you mention it still has a strong almond scent to it. would you say its stronger than the almond in the Panama Boellis? I,m not fond of almond that is strong myself, but the Panama was not too strong yet was a very nice clean scent. if its Xpec strong , or ABC I wont be able to take it. although im sure interested because of your review Tc

It's way stronger than Boelis but it's not that sweet syrupy type scent. it is in the xpec league. Not quite as strong but you know it's there no doubt.

I'm like TC, not a huge fan of anything almond scented.
I might, however, try the White Moss scent soap refill.
You really raised my hackles by saying that this soap is better than MDC.
Found it for nineteen dollars online at West Coast Shaving.
That sounds way more like my cup of tea.

Pete <:-}

Spendur,

Good review. Thanks for writing it.

There is something, some ingredient, some process, perhaps, in the Italian soaps and creams I have tried that burns my Hollywood face to various degrees. Those with the almond scent are out of the question for me. That's why I try to keep away from Italian soaps and creams in general as much as possible. The worst was Boellis Panama 1924. That thing sent me to the hot pepper fields dancing the fandango. OY! The only Italian cream that treats my face well is Santa Maria Novella.

It must be the EOs they use. Maybe the quantity or the form that is causing the burning.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It must be the EOs they use. Maybe the quantity or the form that is causing the burning.

That could be the case, Spendur. As I noted earlier, the get along just fine with Santa Maria Novella.

Santa Maria has a very different scent than most Italian soaps. That's probably why you don't get the burn.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Santa Maria has a very different scent than most Italian soaps. That's probably why you don't get the burn.

Right you are. Santa Maria Novella is different from the typical Italian soap or cream. It works well with my Hollywood face.

Originally Posted by Obie

Right you are. Santa Maria Novella is different from the typical Italian soap or cream. It works well with my Hollywood face.

Obie, do you get a reaction to Saponificio Varesino? How about Pannacrema Nuavia?