Thread: The Art of Shaving - Shaving Soap w/ Bowl

Is it worth getting the AoS Lemon?
I am a fan of Trumper's Rose - it was my first soap and I still swear by it. Also like Acqua di Parma cream (practically a soap). I have a puck of Tabac as well which I'm still undecided on.

I've also seen the eShave (??) Mandarin soap which I might be tempted by. I like the smell of Mandarin as well as Lemon, so I'm not sure if I'll like either. My face reacts to just about anything, so I have to be careful before getting just anything.

I have both and will try and put up some photos of each. I can run through a lather of each tonight and give you some detailed feedback on scent and performance.

Originally Posted by rum

Is it worth getting the AoS Lemon?
I am a fan of Trumper's Rose - it was my first soap and I still swear by it. Also like Acqua di Parma cream (practically a soap). I have a puck of Tabac as well which I'm still undecided on.

I've also seen the eShave (??) Mandarin soap which I might be tempted by. I like the smell of Mandarin as well as Lemon, so I'm not sure if I'll like either. My face reacts to just about anything, so I have to be careful before getting just anything.

The AOS Lemon is a great performer, but the scent is very weak, IMHO. If you want a good citrus scent to go with a good performing soap, I would look at the Harris Arlington soap.

Jordan

Originally Posted by alabamalawyer

I have both and will try and put up some photos of each. I can run through a lather of each tonight and give you some detailed feedback on scent and performance.

Thanks, Chris. Greatly appreciate you doing this. For a start I know how good your pics are from the shave of the day threads, so I am really looking forward to your pics!!

I have enjoyed AOS soap. It works well. Its a bit soft and so not only is it expensive but it doesn't last as long as some of its competitors.

I think Floris is a better soap and better value.

If you like Citrus scents, JF is great but the Number 89 is something special. I don't think much of the elite scent but I'd buy it if the soap was on offer.

JF is more citrusy whilst the No, 89 is more flowery in a Trumpers rose soap sort of way. Floris No. 89 is very special. Well for me at least.

But I think everyone can enjoy the quality of the soap. Its well above average.

I was given the sandalwood soap and unscented cream form AoS and i like them both, good lather.

Here are photos of the AOS Lemon and EShave Mandarin. The Eshave puck is 98g and the AOS puck is 95g. Both soaps lathered easily and created a nice lather very quickly. The AOS did require a bit more water to reach the lather consistency that I like. The Eshave has a subtle but nice citrusy scent. The AOS Lemon has a light lemon scent that, to my nose, is masked by the clay-like scent that all AOS soaps have. In terms of scent, I prefer the Eshave. Both soaps give a very good shave. I don't have the love for AOS soaps that many have, due primarily to the scent issue mentioned above. Eshave soaps don't seem to get much notice on the shave forums but I really like the scent and performance the soap gives.

Soaps side by side:


Rooney 3/1 loaded with Eshave soap:


Lather of Eshave soap:


Rooney 3/1 Loaded with AOS Lemon:


Lather of AOS soap:

I am a big fan of the AOS soaps. They are excellent in my opinion. They make a creamier more protective lather than most soaps even if oh so slightly more. Good stuff and something I encourage all wetshavers to try at least once.

Regards,
EL

Originally Posted by alabamalawyer

Here are photos of the AOS Lemon and EShave Mandarin. The Eshave puck is 98g and the AOS puck is 95g. Both soaps lathered easily and created a nice lather very quickly. The AOS did require a bit more water to reach the lather consistency that I like. The Eshave has a subtle but nice citrusy scent. The AOS Lemon has a light lemon scent that, to my nose, is masked by the clay-like scent that all AOS soaps have. In terms of scent, I prefer the Eshave. Both soaps give a very good shave. I don't have the love for AOS soaps that many have, due primarily to the scent issue mentioned above. Eshave soaps don't seem to get much notice on the shave forums but I really like the scent and performance the soap gives.

Thanks, Chris. What would I do without you?

I think I am leaning towards the eShave as well. I certainly don't like clay smells, but the idea of a Mandarin scent excites me in a way, plus I've not had a French soap before. I think it's a nice change from Trumper's Rose and AdP and definitely more of a spring scent than my recently acquired Tabac soap. I bet it would go really well with Terre d' Hermes EDT, wouldn't you agree?

Anyone have any idea where I can get it from in the UK?

While I prefer the Eshave over the AOS for scent, the Eshave Mandarin scent is not a strong point for the soap. It is rather faint with just a bit of citrus to it. Here is a link eShave Mandarin - Badger & Blade to a review over at B&B on the soap. The reviewer there describes the scent as a light floral.

I assume you are wanting to play off the orange note in Terre de Hermes with the Mandarin. It will be ok for that but it is not a strong orange note as you might think it would be with the Mandarin name.

If you are looking for a scent that is different from your current rotation, you might want to check out Harris Arlington. It has a nice green/citrus scent and is an oustanding performer as all Harris soaps are.

As far as Eshave scents, I prefer the Lavender in their lineup. The Mandarin is fine, but not great, and the Avocado/Linden is also not bad.

It has been awhile since I used my Eshave soap, so I will give the Mandarin a run over the next couple of days and update you on how its scent and performance go.