My experience is that quality artisan soaps have improved the quality of their soap base such that there isn't that much difference in quality between them and what many consider to be standard first tier soaps. I've come to view soaps in terms of one category. Either I get a great close comfortable shave and enjoy the scent or I throw it away.

Here are some artisan soaps I really like that I would recommend to anyone. What are artisan soaps you really like?

Stirling - Great base, pricing and plenty of scents to choose from. My favorites are Sharp Dressed Man and Iced Pineapple. Owned by a veteran and his wife. Their Finest Badger brushes that would cost twice as much from most other providers. Customer service is A++, inexpensive flat rate shipping and cool packaging.

Soap Commander - Owned by a Veteran and is wife. There is an active thread on them, which made me think of this topic.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...-feedback.html

"Barrister & Mann" Does a superb job with scents. They have three bases and the newest Glissant base is the best. Really cool packaging. Seville is their Glissant base in Barbershop scent and very popular. There lower priced Latha line is also a great soap. This company simply does a phenomenal job with scent.

Baum.be I consider this a Tier 1 soap, though I believe they are an artisan company. Purchasing Baum.be in the larger 200 ml size makes it competitive with the artisans.