Thread: Foundation Soaps

CF lime for me. It works every time. Got 3 others too but that one is my go to when doing something new.

Tabac soap and Penhaligon's cream.

Gentlemen,
If I were to consider foundation soaps and creams, mine would be: Martin de Candre, Castle Forbes and Czech & Speake. To be fair, I should also add an artisan soap: Wholly Kaw.
On the other hand, Tabac and Mitchell's Wool Fat have been in the shave den for a long time. Even though not in the first foundation lineup, I can't see them disappearing from my shave den.

This thread made me think of many baselines from HHT to thumb pad test. Calibrate the test to your own availability, ability, and senses.

Right now for me by baseline/foundation is Cella. I like it and bought a kilo. It is going to be around for a while even after giving it half away!

I got a couple of new soaps to try at a meet this last weekend and how I judge them will be based on the Cella.

Tabac, LEA and Green Mountain Soaps

I would have to agree on your choices, for sure Tabac and MWF.

Since you have already picked those two, I feel justified in picking two more. I would go for Trufitt & Hill cream and D.R. Harris soap.

One of the things I've noticed about my own behavior over time is that I seem to try new soaps by promising artisans. Many of them are excellent and I enjoy the shaves with them. But time after time, after my infatuation with one of the latest and greatest abates, I survey my choices and always come back to the same few soaps. Now that might just be me, but I suspect many of you do the same.

Originally Posted by CrownCork

Tabac, LEA and Green Mountain Soaps

The Green Mountain. The lavender/grapefruit. If paring down I wouldn't need anything else.

• TGQ Desert Ironwood
• QED Anise & Lavender (sadly, no longer in production)
• TGQ Unscented (you have to have an unscented cake of good shaving soap -- some afterscents don't need to "stand on the shoulders of giants")

This is one of those "religious" discussions: Can we accept that Castle Forbes shaving creams are also "soft[er] soaps"? I vote "Yes", so let me add their Cedarwood and Sandalwood.

For me, would be, MdC, PannaCremma Nuavia (sp?) soaps, Olea Soapworks if I had to choose just three makers....

Next up, DR Harris, T&H, C&S, Castle Forbes, Penhaligon's...there are quite a few soaps/creams that have been around a long time that I can get pretty much perfect lather from each time...but if it had to be a single foundation soap, "There can be only one!" type thing....MdC Original.