Soap or Cream of the Decade Award

So it's almost time for a new decade to begin with the approach of 2020.

Looking back, if I put a gun to yer head what product would you say should merit the product of the decade (as far as soap and creams go)? I mean this has to some really good stuff.

For the decade 2000-2010 I'm gonna say Xpec is the winner by far. I'm talking about the original stuff not the first remake or the second remake or the third remake. I still have an original tub of the stuff and scent aside ( which is really subjective) it's perfect stuff. Even Lynn Abrams thought it was tops. After they stopped production he replaced it with CF as I recall. It has almost magical qualities as far as ease of lathering, density of lather, quantity produced, staying power of lather, cushion, lube, after shave skin feel. As great as CF and MDC are I've always thought Xpec was in a class by itself.

Of course you can't get it anymore so that kind of disqualifies it or does it and it's really not from this decade.

In currently available stuff I like the Sebum Gold line of soap. It costs about the same as the other premium stuff and it qualities remind me of Xpec. It's scent is subtle unlike Xpec, it's takes a bit more to lather, but the after shave feel is super and I find I seem to actually get a slightly better shave than when I use any of my other top notch soaps.

So what is your nominee?

Castle Forbes 1445 shaving cream.

• It's fragrance components are all essential oils;
• It's hypo-allergenic;
• It's tasteless;
• It's part of a product line (shaving cream, aftershave balm, EDP)

Palmolive shave cream for me. It is as good now as it was 50 years ago when I started shaving and still won't break the bank to buy it. Just a solid old line well performing product.

Bob

Penny for penny I have to go with Arko, which NEVER fails me, and Proraso Green, which has been consistent through every tub I've used.

I have to go with MdC.

Soap of the decade???

The marketplace for soaps has change so much over the past ten years, that there is no way to pick a soap of the decade. Some of the very best soaps I am currently using we not even available six months ago.

There are so many excellent soaps, making this a difficult question. D.R. Harris and Castle Forbes will always be in my rotation. This past year, Grooming Dept has been my favorite soap because of it's outstanding post shave moisturizing properties. However, this past week I've been using Sebum Gold, and it would have to receive my soap of the decade award.

I've only tried a couple of "high end" products...MDC and Castle Forbes...
and they are great, but the ones that I've re-stocked multiple times are:

Soap, Duc de Santal, by Henri et Victoria

Cream, Palermo, by Al's Shaving Products.

These are the ones I go to when I want a luxurious shave.

Soap: Arko and Haslinger
Cream: JM Fraser. Still love it and look forward to using it even after decades

No surprises, here, I am sure; Mystic Water

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Originally Posted by RayClem

Soap of the decade???

The marketplace for soaps has change so much over the past ten years, that there is no way to pick a soap of the decade. Some of the very best soaps I am currently using we not even available six months ago.

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I'm in agreement with RayClem.

Also, XPEC v1 blew me away with its performance -- edged out CF for me. I have about 1/2 a tub of XPEC remaining (the disappointing no-parabens sequel), and that version does not lather and perform nearly as well as the original formula. So I very infrequently pull the XPEC out to reminisce over the good ol' days.

Gentlemen,

For the decade, I would have to choose one soap and one cream, since I use both and each functions differently.

For me, Martin de Candre has ruled the decade in soaps. I have always found it celestial in performance and fragrance. And the thing lasts forever. My first one was the brain bowl and it lasted more than a year of frequent use. I still fancy the original fragrance, and the Fougere and the rose are both quite sensual.

For creams, I still give the nod to Castle Forbes. The newest fragrance, 1445, is intoxicating. I must admit, I am not all that fond of the their lavender fragrance. The cream does wonders for the skin, and it lathers well.
Now, were the original Xpec available, I would have faced a battle selection between it and Castle Forbes. Since the original is no longer available and the newest version is a waste of money, I will remain with Castle Forbes.

I can't say anything about Sebum Gold, because I had only a small sample of it and it was not enough for me to draw a conclusion about its overall quality. I don't like the price, but eventually I will break down and order it. What a wuss!

By the way, gentlemen, Merry Christmas. May good fortune always swim in your lane.

My senses and skin agree with Obie and JB.
Soap: Martin de Candre (Fougere/Original)
Cream: Castle Forbes (1445)

For me I use Henri et Victoria, Cognac and Cuban Cigars for my everyday shave and Rocky Mountain Sandalwood for a luxury shave because I have the Rocky Mountain Sandalwood shave balm and their sandalwood beard oil too.

So, my Vote would have to be

1 Rocky Mountain Sandalwood
2 Henri et Victoria Cognac and cuban Cigar

I had to really think about this. A decade goes a long way back. If it were more recent I used Arko for a Christmas morning shave (perfect shave BTW), Tabac has seen a lot of action as well as Soap Commander but the one that gets consistently used over and over and especially if you take into account the past ten years then it is without a doubt, Mitchell’s Wool Fat. Easy to lather, explodes into copious amounts of lather, nice and slick with superb skin feel post shave and a puck lasts me well over a year of consistent use. At $14 a puck shipped to my front door from the UK it has been my SOAP OF THE DECADE.

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Originally Posted by Steel

I had to really think about this. A decade goes a long way back. If it were more recent I used Arko for a Christmas morning shave (perfect shave BTW), Tabac has seen a lot of action as well as Soap Commander but the one that gets consistently used over and over and especially if you take into account the past ten years then it is without a doubt, Mitchell’s Wool Fat. Easy to lather, explodes into copious amounts of lather, nice and slick with superb skin feel post shave and a puck lasts me well over a year of consistent use. At $14 a puck shipped to my front door from the UK it has been my SOAP OF THE DECADE.

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I have heard good things about Mitchells Wool Fat , I think I will order some.

I have to go with MDC and CF. They are just so hard to beat.
I've had a few others that get close to the performance, but then I break out one of these and it reminds me why I have them and will never be without.

I’ve only been wet shaving for just over four years, so I don’t know how much weight my opinion has, but in those four years I’ve tried dozens of soaps and creams in sample form. For soap, MdC is the clear winner for me, and for cream I’d have to say Baum.be.

Personally for me the best creams at this moment is the Esbjerg line.

Reason being is that i look forward to using them more than any other.
You get a lot for your money, the fragrances are just rite and the performance is second to none.

Attachment 314536

Mystic Water for the last decade but lots of other great choices above (many of which I use too :o). Might have chosen Valobra (hard and soft) but that's from previous decades and anyway unavailable now following the sale to Proraso (although my stash should take me well into the next decade).

For a slick, lathers anywhere, always performs well and having a fragrance that you can use daily, I’m with Jerry, MdC and CF. And a tub of either will last about 1/10 of a decade. I’d throw SMN in there too. No longer available but an equally fine soap for most of the decade, I Coloniali Mango Oil and the equally superb balm.

And introduced just this past year, the new Acqua di Parma Colonia. Outstanding performance, better than the last Collezione Barbiere edition, outstanding scent, and unfortunately outstanding price. This is a better-performing version of rhe old Colonia cream.

Anyone tried Col Conk?

I have the urge to try a new soap/cream.

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Originally Posted by STF

Anyone tried Col Conk?

I have the urge to try a new soap/cream.

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Not used it personally but...…

https://sharprazorpalace.com/soaps-c...pler-pack.html

Bob

Gentlemen,
I had one puck of Colonel Conk a long time ago and said adios to it for good. There is a wide spectrum quality soaps to choose from. Look in that direction.

Dont bother with C.C. Steve. It aint worth the couple bucks in costs! Now someone can come in and say its great. It takes all kinds. Just trust me.

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Originally Posted by STF

Anyone tried Col Conk?

I have the urge to try a new soap/cream.

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I grated my puck of Col Conk and used it in my washing machine to clean my dirty socks.

Wow - like asking which is my favourite child or mistress?

MdC would be there, as well as Castle Forbes for sure. Both the CS Lavender and the MdC Original (lavender) - both unparalleled and always deliver.

Having said that, my newest thing is brushless shave creams, tried KIEHL'S SINCE 1851, was "meh", Pinaud's is still rocking my world though. Works spectacularly with a straight razor, and just massage into your face when done, leaves the skin so nicely smooth and nourished.

Penhaligons, Dr Harris, Osma, literally there are so many that deserve they're own place, but if it had to be one, toss the coin and I'd be happy with the MdC or the Castle Forbes.

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Originally Posted by Steve56

For a slick, lathers anywhere, always performs well and having a fragrance that you can use daily, I’m with Jerry, MdC and CF. And a tub of either will last about 1/10 of a decade. I’d throw SMN in there too. No longer available but an equally fine soap for most of the decade, I Coloniali Mango Oil and the equally superb balm.

And introduced just this past year, the new Acqua di Parma Colonia. Outstanding performance, better than the last Collezione Barbiere edition, outstanding scent, and unfortunately outstanding price. This is a better-performing version of rhe old Colonia cream.

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Damn you!!! How could I forget AdP, a beautiful soap and one of my favourites...sheesh, I could live with that one forever as well, it has a certain under the radar scent that kills me every time...great choice.

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Originally Posted by Phrank

Damn you!!! How could I forget AdP, a beautiful soap and one of my favourites...sheesh, I could live with that one forever as well, it has a certain under the radar scent that kills me every time...great choice.

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You’re welcome Phrank, always glad to enable, er, help! Here’s some eye candy for you - shave #60 in the Filly edge this morning BTW.

Back at ya Steve....love AdP, one of my favourites....

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Hey Phrank, I kind of glossed over that ‘brushless’ part of your post. Try Feather Hi Shave gel. Fendrihan’s has it, and you can get three 230g tubes from Japan for $21 delivered I think, on eBay. It’s quite a good pre-shave without the pre-shave prices.

I would vote for Arko: probably best value for money around. A popular choice in Turkey where many men have very tough beards.

I'll see your Xpec and raise you a Domenico Caraceni (also discontinued, sadly). That said, the '10s saw an influx of high quality soaps and creams, so I don't think there will ever be a clear winner.

For me personally, the winner is the Meißner Tremonia line of products. In particular, their Mint Ice Menthol products. I have not been using much else since they entered the market in 2015(?). Simply good products.

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Originally Posted by Kees

I would vote for Arko: probably best value for money around. A popular choice in Turkey where many men have very tough beards.

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I agree. Less than $1.00usd

And my vote goes to Saponificio Varesino Tundra Artica, not only a great performing soap also a great scent, and more importantly leaves my skin feeling great, especially if you match it up with the Tundra Artica aftershave lotion.

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Originally Posted by celticcrusader

And my vote goes to Saponificio Varesino Tundra Artica, not only a great performing soap also a great scent, and more importantly leaves my skin feeling great, especially if you match it up with the Tundra Artica aftershave lotion.

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SV makes some great soaps. Tundra is one of my favs.