Thread: local ontario shaving soaps

I should mention that I'm a newbie to straight razor shaving. I've purchased a razor from SRP classifieds and am waiting for it to come through the post.

I'm trying to find a place in Ontario (preferably in Ottawa) that sells shaving soaps. The only thing I can seem to find locally is Proraso (147g, $8), found at a local pharmacy. I've heard good things about this soap so I plan to try it out...but (1) it looks really soft to be proper shaving soap, and (2) I'm looking for a bay rum scent.

I can't seem to find any place in Ottawa or Ontario that carries it... a local barber shop recommended classicshaving.com, and a bit of detective work on my part provided me with these options:

1. Colleen Hurley's @ thegentlemensquarter.com (3 oz for $15)
2. Classic Brand @ classicshaving.com (2.5" puck for $5)
3. Col. Ichabod Conk's @ RasagePoulin.com (2.5" puck for $5)

Any feedback on these brands? Anyone have any experience buying locally in my area? Lastly, anyone in Canada have any feedback on customs fees and such for purchasing from US?

Thanks!

Premium shaving supplies are scarce in my neck of the woods too. Congrats if you find a local supplier.

To answer some of your questions...

Go ahead and pick up some Proraso soap. It does seem a bit soft at first, but it lathers extremely easy (compared to harder triple milled soaps) and it's a great performer too. Can't beat it for the price.

Out of the 3 brands you listed, I've only tried TGQ. Personally I think there's better soaps out there, but Colleen has a strong following here so others will certainly disagree with me.

As for customs I've never been charged additionally for supplies, but one time I was for a razor (out of several I've purchased through the States). It seems our customs boys will only ding you when they want to!
Go ahead and order from the US as our dollar reaches parity, lots of deals to be had.....

The two online vendor's here in Canada with the best selection are.

www.fendrihan.com

www.rasagepoulin.com

Maca Root shave cream from the Body Shop!

I use it every day and love it

I like Proraso `Pre-Post' cream and shave cream. You can
get them at Shopper's Drug Mart, if I'm not mistaken. I've
also seen some Omega boar brushes at either Shopper's or
London Drugs, if you haven't a brush yet.



- Scott

hi sebell, I did indeed see the omega boar's brushes at my local shoppers. I picked one up along with some proraso shave soap (I don't believe they had the pre-post cream).

looks good to start but it seems that there is very limited shave soap selection. That is, the proraso was the only choice!

Originally Posted by andrewpohran

hi sebell, I did indeed see the omega boar's brushes at my local shoppers. I picked one up along with some proraso shave soap (I don't believe they had the pre-post cream).

looks good to start but it seems that there is very limited shave soap selection. That is, the proraso was the only choice!

The Proraso soap is really more of a dense cream -- the
two products are really quite similar. There are some tips
and tricks for using a boar brush as well (I've not used
one myself), so be sure to do some searching and ask
around. I think some people recommend soaking the brush
for a few minutes before building your lather.

- Scott

Originally Posted by wuff

The two online vendor's here in Canada with the best selection are.

www.fendrihan.com

www.rasagepoulin.com

I have bought from both of these vendors and had good service. Unfortunately, buying from the U.S. can get expensive ( shipping / customs ... ). On my two purchases so far from U.S. based vendors I was dinged by customs ( for razors ). If you can get the product that you want in Canada do so, if not, you have two choices - assume the cost or go to plan B.


Ken

On the odd chance that my post might seem like a " buy Canadian don't buy American unless you must " nothing could be further from the truth. I like to spread the love on both sides of the border, but when I can spread it in Canada I find it goes little farther !


Ken

Originally Posted by andrewpohran

I should mention that I'm a newbie to straight razor shaving. I've purchased a razor from SRP classifieds and am waiting for it to come through the post.

I'm trying to find a place in Ontario (preferably in Ottawa) that sells shaving soaps. The only thing I can seem to find locally is Proraso (147g, $8), found at a local pharmacy. I've heard good things about this soap so I plan to try it out...but (1) it looks really soft to be proper shaving soap, and (2) I'm looking for a bay rum scent.

I can't seem to find any place in Ottawa or Ontario that carries it... a local barber shop recommended classicshaving.com, and a bit of detective work on my part provided me with these options:

1. Colleen Hurley's @ thegentlemensquarter.com (3 oz for $15)
2. Classic Brand @ classicshaving.com (2.5" puck for $5)
3. Col. Ichabod Conk's @ RasagePoulin.com (2.5" puck for $5)

Any feedback on these brands? Anyone have any experience buying locally in my area? Lastly, anyone in Canada have any feedback on customs fees and such for purchasing from US?

Thanks!

As far as feedback on the brands goes, I've only used TGQ out of the 3 brands you have listed there and I liked it quite a bit but you really have to experiment with getting a good lather from it.

I've generally found that when ordering from the states I don't get hit with customs fees if my order has a value under $100. Anything over that and usually what I end up paying is the tax (13%).

Your best bet is probably to order from one of the Canadian vendors listed above. They have a great selection and the shipping is MUCH faster and cheaper than coming from across the border.