Thread: Wholly Kaw 'Project Leather'

Finished off my small sample of Wholly Kaw 'Project Leather' today. Thanks neehooya.

My first experience with Wholly Kaw 'Rose Concerto' left me feeling that this brand of soap was way too super fated and felt greasy to me.

This sample did not seem the same at all. The lather was very creamy and not at all greasy feeling. Fantastic light scent too. I have not verified as to whether it is the same formula as the previous WK soap that I tried.

The soap seemed very efficient also. I got 9 great shaves out of a .11 fluid ounce sample.

Good report on the soap. I have tried several Wholly Kaw soaps and the only one I have kept is the Fougere. I have not tried this new one. My problem with many of these artisan soaps and creams is that after a while the fragrances get boring. I get tired of them. I’ve been going with Martin de Candre, Castle Forbes, Czeche & Speake and scores of other high end soaps for years and they still smell fresh and exciting. Anyway, overall I do like Whollt Kaw.

Originally Posted by Obie

Good report on the soap. I have tried several Wholly Kaw soaps and the only one I have kept is the Fougere. I have not tried this new one. My problem with many of these artisan soaps and creams is that after a while the fragrances get boring. I get tired of them. I’ve been going with Martin de Candre, Castle Forbes, Czeche & Speake and scores of other high end soaps for years and they still smell fresh and exciting. Anyway, overall I do like Whollt Kaw.

I have to agree with you, Obie. There are several artisan soap makers who make high quality soaps, and the new Wholly Kaw soap base is fantastic, but scents that I initially really enjoyed soon become less attractive. I still enjoy most scents from the traditional soap makers. If I buy an artisan soap, it's more for their performance, and look for soaps with a lighter scent, and use an aftershave or cologne for scent.

Originally Posted by evnpar

....and use an aftershave or cologne for scent.

This is what I'm just starting to get through my thick skull. I'm always wanting stronger scents in my soaps so I can enjoy the scent while shaving. As I just don't smell much any longer. I am looking for great scents now (plus performance) so I can find some A.S. to match.

Wholly Kaw has gone through some iterations of their formulas over the past couple of years. All three bases are still in the market, although I do not know if Sri is still producing the earlier base. I suspect what is in stock is NOS.

The Donkey Milk base tallow version contains: Potassium Stearate, Sodium Stearate, Aqua, Donkey Milk, Glycerin, Potassium Tallowate, Sodium Tallowate, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Sodium Shea Butterate, Garcinia Indica (Kokum) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Lanolin, Fragrance. The Donkey Milk Base is excellent, but the performance is not quite up to the level of the newer bases.

The Bufala base is an improvement on the Donkey Base that includes the addition of Water Buffalo Milk. The ingredients are: Potassium Stearate, Sodium Stearate, Aqua, Donkey Milk, Water Buffalo Milk, Glycerin, Potassium Tallowate, Sodium Tallowate, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Sodium Shea Butterate, Garcinia Indica (Kokum) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter, Water Buffalo Whey, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Lanolin, Fragrance, Linalool, Eugenol, Coumarin.

The latest addition to the Wholly Kaw lineup is the Siero base. It is a suberb artisan soap with a price to match. The primary change is the addition of milk whey. The ingredients are: Potassium Stearate, Sodium Stearate, Aqua, Donkey Milk, Water Buffalo Milk, Donkey Milk Whey, Water Buffalo Milk Whey, Glycerin, Potassium Tallowate, Sodium Tallowate, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Potassium Shea Butterate, Sodium Shea Butterate, Garcinia Indica (Kokum) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Butter, Hydrolyzed Linseed, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Lanolin, Fragrance, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid.


Wholly Kaw also has vegan versions of each of their bases, although these versions omit the donkey milk, water buffalo milk, milk whey and tallow components. I have not tried either of the vegan versions.

I cant compare what Ray just said as most of those words i cant read or pronounce!

But i will say this...

Wholly Kaw has changed. At first i found it greasy like Vic did. Now its different. Better. Not nearly as much butters in it. Feels better n the skin now.