Thread: TGQ, Colleen's soap

Rich, how hard or soft is your water? That is more than likely the problem.

Though I agree that water hardness/variations are definitely a factor I will admit that I coundn't get TGQ soaps to lather worth a damn at first either. I found that, when lathering directly on the face, it worked quite well, but seeing that I'm primarily a bowl latherer (if that's even a word ) it was very frustrating. I did find that if I work the sh%t out of the soap to load the brush I could make a decent lather in a bowl, and it did take a while to figure this out. I have some soaps that are way harder than Colleen's soaps (density) that seem to load up a lot quicker than her softer soap, so go figure.

Unfortunately when members have problems with a much beloved soap/cream the tendency is to blame the person's lathering skills right off the bat. Everyone has an opinion, and what works for one person may not work for another. For example, who can simply not tolerate the smell of Tabac?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Though I agree that water hardness/variations are definitely a factor I will admit that I coundn't get TGQ soaps to lather worth a damn at first either. I found that, when lathering directly on the face, it worked quite well, but seeing that I'm primarily a bowl latherer (if that's even a word ) it was very frustrating. I did find that if I work the sh%t out of the soap to load the brush I could make a decent lather in a bowl, and it did take a while to figure this out. I have some soaps that are way harder than Colleen's soaps (density) that seem to load up a lot quicker than her softer soap, so go figure.

Unfortunately when members have problems with a much beloved soap/cream the tendency is to blame the person's lathering skills right off the bat. Everyone has an opinion, and what works for one person may not work for another. For example, who can simply not tolerate the smell of Tabac?

Good Morning Gentlemen

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate everyone's comments. It is true, that scent.....and soap......are very much a personal thing "as it should be". Which is why I never mind when someone says they like another soap better ... Can you imagine if all men in the world decided they would only use TGQ soaps.....lol. Why, you would never get your order filled !


I love all of you who order from me, and guess what......I even adore those of you who don't, because you're the ones who keep me "laying awake in bed" at night wondering if I add 3 more grams of XYZ will that be the difference. I think perchance I would become a very boring soapmaker if I never had anything to strive for.

Soapmistress

FWIW zib, I have great luck with TGQ soaps. My favorite is cavendish, then probably oak and moss.

I have had no problems whipping up a rich lather very quickly with the soaps (sample sizes worked fine too).

I have, however, had problems with getting the creams to lather (kind of the opposite from you huh). The sample creams I got have always been really thin and not very satisfying. Funny huh, the soaps have always been great for me.

One more thing, I read something about you almost emailing colleen but then deciding not to... I'd say send her an email if you ever feel like doing so. She has been very helpful to me and I'm convinced that she'd like to hear about your experiences with her soaps (good or bad).

Funny you should ask, I have a water softner.....Ironic, isn't it....It's good too...

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Though I agree that water hardness/variations are definitely a factor I will admit that I coundn't get TGQ soaps to lather worth a damn at first either. I found that, when lathering directly on the face, it worked quite well, but seeing that I'm primarily a bowl latherer (if that's even a word ) it was very frustrating. I did find that if I work the sh%t out of the soap to load the brush I could make a decent lather in a bowl, and it did take a while to figure this out. I have some soaps that are way harder than Colleen's soaps (density) that seem to load up a lot quicker than her softer soap, so go figure.

Unfortunately when members have problems with a much beloved soap/cream the tendency is to blame the person's lathering skills right off the bat. Everyone has an opinion, and what works for one person may not work for another. For example, who can simply not tolerate the smell of Tabac?

There ya go, I to am a "bowl lather"......

TFTA, I ordered the Cavendish, 3 oz in a bowl....I'll give it a shot.

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

FWIW zib, I have great luck with TGQ soaps. My favorite is cavendish, then probably oak and moss.

I have had no problems whipping up a rich lather very quickly with the soaps (sample sizes worked fine too).

I have, however, had problems with getting the creams to lather (kind of the opposite from you huh). The sample creams I got have always been really thin and not very satisfying. Funny huh, the soaps have always been great for me.

One more thing, I read something about you almost emailing colleen but then deciding not to... I'd say send her an email if you ever feel like doing so. She has been very helpful to me and I'm convinced that she'd like to hear about your experiences with her soaps (good or bad).

Originally Posted by zib

TFTA, I ordered the Cavendish, 3 oz in a bowl....I'll give it a shot.

Thats cool rich, I admire you for spending money on something your not sure is going to work for you, I also do the same thing with stuff. I have cavendish and bowl comming as well, along with a few others.

ok I swirl my brush around Colleens soap 8 times then I go into this big coffee mug, I then just keep swirling and the lather just keeps getting thicker, I then just dip the very tip of my brush in the water to pick up a few drops, This is what I have left over after shaving and I did 3 passes tonight.

I recieved three samples of soap and cream from Colleen this week, I'd previousley onlu used the Irish Moss, which worked fine, but it was a gift in a scent I perhaps wouldn't have chosen.

The samples I got were leatherneck, Cavendish black and the lavender. made uber lather this morning with The Leatherneck soap and cream( no Glycerine) it lathered well but took a good while to build the lather in a DB scuttle , I must have been building for a good 5 minutes. Lather held up well whilst I stropped and lasted well giving a comfortable shave.

Excellent shave and a great scent, thumbs up from me.

Colleen you need to label the samples better though, my two year old took them all out of the plastic bags when they were laying on the kitchen table and it took me a moment or two to work out which was which.