Thread: Artisan Soaps You Really Like

If there is a definition of what makes an artisan I haven't seen it. I think of artisan as being a mom and pop outfit.

My experience is that there isn't that much difference in quality from the best artisans and the members of the Tier 1 group as specified in the first post of the popular thread by that name. I don't shave with hard water from a well and we all have somewhat different situations.

The way that I came to this conclusion is from experience with an exercise I call 'Face Off'. In this, I whip up lather with two different soaps or creams and shave half of my face with each. From doing this I have come to view soap or cream in one of two categories. Either I get a great close, comfortable shave or I throw it away.

Originally Posted by Pete123

If there is a definition of what makes an artisan I haven't seen it. I think of artisan as being a mom and pop outfit.

The definition of an artisan is a worker in a skilled trade that usually make things by hand, made in a traditional way using high quality ingredients. And yes in my book Martin de Candre falls right in that category without a doubt, the shave soap they make sits for weeks to dry before anyone can get their hands on it, somehow I don't think the Williams soaps sits for weeks before finding it at Walgreens...

Originally Posted by Pithor

Oh, and I would add Meißner Tremonia as a personal favourite, and as far as I know the only truly artisanal shaving soap/cream I like. Very much.

I've been watching for someone to comment about this soap - I'll have to try it.

Originally Posted by Pete123

I've been watching for someone to comment about this soap - I'll have to try it.

I recently bought some Meissner Tremonia Dark Limes hard soap and like it very much. Lathers extremely easily and has a really unique scent.

Martin de Candre
Le Pere Lucien

The one soap that I grab consistantly without thinking is the Ass soap, La Savonniere Du Moulin. It's amazing stuff and easily my favourite.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

The one soap that I grab consistantly without thinking is the Ass soap, La Savonniere Du Moulin. It's amazing stuff and easily my favourite.

Boy, doesn't sound that great to me.

Originally Posted by 400E

Boy, doesn't sound that great to me.

It is made with donkey milk, the soap is great stuff.

Originally Posted by Pete123

I've been watching for someone to comment about this soap - I'll have to try it.

give me your address in a pm and I,ll send a jar to you, I didn't care for it and used it for 2 weeks, so its almost all there, and was going to use it for the dogs bath , but I don't think she liked the scent,, but your welcome to it ,, never hurts to try, that's why I bought it , I never talk bad or good about a soap until I give it a fair shake,, Tc

As already stated, in the absence of a universally accepted definition what constitutes an "artisanal" soap and what constitutes an "industrial" soap, I find such discussions moot.

Some people may consider Tabac artisanal, while others may consider MWF industrial. Who would be right?

On the other end of the spectrum, there is also the problem of some soaps claiming the "artisanal" mantle that more appropriately should be classified as "amateurish".


B.


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