Penhaligon's English Fern

Just recieved my Pen EF last night and had a shave with it this very morning.


Initial impressions:

Pure class! The box Pen comes in is simple, understated, and beautiful. Green with some gold trim and little fern embellishments...

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/att...1&d=1247748638

The box lid lifts off to reveal the EF bowl within...
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/att...1&d=1247748651

Lift the lid on the bowl and feast your eyes upon the tallowy puck, whilst you nose is greeted by the fresh, green scent!
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/att...1&d=1247748664

OK, to tell the truth, the puck itself comes wrapped in platic, so you have to remove that first to get the full boquet of aroma....

What luck, the soap arrived last evening, so it was ready to roll for this morning's shave to take care of 48 hours worth of whiskers.
http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/att...1&d=1247748674

Lathers easily, seems to have a good balance between glide, closeness, and cushion. It did not strike me as having head and shoulders above shaving performance to any other soap, but it ceratinly was not found lacking in any department either. First shave with it, so I need to get to know it a bit better before casting final judgment on where it falls in the tallow heirarchy for me.

The scent is excellently refreshing for a morning shave, and I'd say this is where this soap earns it's keep. Bright and refreshing, like sunlight through a canopy of Spring leaves with a babbling brook winding its way through the forest nearby.

Penhaligon's nails this fresh, green scent in a way that Irisch Moos, in my opinion does not. IM's scent, to me, is overly sharp and pungent, somehow fake smelling, it assaults your nose "SMELL ME, I"M GREEN AND LEAFY, DAMMIT!".
Whereas the English Fern draws you in like fresh morning air: "hey...*sniff*, that smells pretty good...*sniff*, yeah, I like that!". You breath it in deeply and feel ready to take on the world.

Price:
Okay...so no more refill pucks are left out there that I know of, so it's all or nothing-you gotta pony up $65 for the bowl ensemble.

Is that a good deal?
No it is not.

Is it worth it?
It very well may be!http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/ima..._guys/w00t.gif

This would be a great review!


/hint hint, nudge nudge ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

This would be a great review!


/hint hint, nudge nudge ;)

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OK, I put it there too....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seraphim

Penhaligon's nails this fresh, green scent in a way that Irisch Moos, in my opinion does not. IM's scent, to me, is overly sharp and pungent, somehow fake smelling, it assaults your nose "SMELL ME, I"M GREEN AND LEAFY, DAMMIT!".
Whereas the English Fern draws you in like fresh morning air: "hey...*sniff*, that smells pretty good...*sniff*, yeah, I like that!". You breath it in deeply and feel ready to take on the world.

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What? The makers of Tabac made a fake smelling green and leafy scent? I don't believe it! :) See Tabac works because it doesn't just smell cheap and fake, it smells cheap, fake and slutty. But that doesn't translate to leafy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by loueedacat

What? The makers of Tabac made a fake smelling green and leafy scent? I don't believe it! :) See Tabac works because it doesn't just smell cheap and fake, it smells cheap, fake and slutty. But that doesn't translate to leafy.

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I don't want to sully the same thread that bears the respectable name of Penhaligon's with talk of cheap and slutty Tabac.


To do that, please follow up here:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/419260-post31.html

:nj

By pure coinkydink, I also shaved with Penhaligon's this morning. Damn fine stuff. Freaking ELEGANT is what this stuff is...oozes class like a running sore!

Wait...

Anyway, yeah man. This is really, really good soap and a really, really good scent.

I liked your review, Jim!

Sounds like we're about on the same page. I was not blown away by anything particular about Pen's performance, but the scent is the defining element that makes it all worthwhile.

For a better idea of what Penhaligon's is all about see here:
YouTube - Monty Python - The Meaning of War (Tigers)

Shave #2 with the Fern.

The lather seemed much richer this time around, had a nice creamy opacity. My comments about performance above may have been made too hastily....:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seraphim

Shave #2 with the Fern.

The lather seemed much richer this time around, had a nice creamy opacity. My comments about performance above may have been made too hastily....:)

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Indeed, I'd say Penhaligon's is quality all around. It's not magical like some, but it is an impeccable soap, and using it makes me feel so darn fancy!

Been using this stuff all week.

My initial impressions of performance being rather pedestrian were indeed unfounded--this stuff is rich & delicious, creamy and smooth.


I love it!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seraphim

Been using this stuff all week.

My initial impressions of performance being rather pedestrian were indeed unfounded--this stuff is rich & delicious, creamy and smooth.


I love it!!!!

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dude, stop eating the shaving soap!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by loueedacat

dude, stop eating the shaving soap!

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I'll stop when you stop!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seraphim

I'll stop when you stop!

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I just lick them and rub them up my nose. That's different!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by loueedacat

I just lick them and rub them up my nose. That's different!

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I prefer mainlining. My veins are totally BBS!!!!

Apparently Vintage is now sold out......


If you missed the boat on this one:

:cry:

I just ordered mine monday. close call.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by loueedacat

I just ordered mine monday. close call.

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Good thing I twisted your arm!:)

I'm liking this stuff. Used it for first time this morning.

EF is a great soap, but I get even better results from vintage Yardley shave soap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vior

EF is a great soap, but I get even better results from vintage Yardley shave soap.

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stoppppppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! :rant:

This is indeed a great soap. Don't forget the Blenheim Bouquet! :rock:

Jordan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seraphim

Apparently Vintage is now sold out......


:cry:

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They got a little bit more in today. I've ordered two and I know someone else did as well. There may be hope yet :D