Thread: Institut Karite

I've tried lots of soaps, but Institut Karite has got to be one of the lowest quality soaps I've had an experience with. The stuff loads up fine on the brush, but the lather was mediocre at best, especially when compared to MWF, DR Harris, and MB soaps...even Conk lathers better.

Cushion, glide, and slipperiness are not there either. Despite working up a workable lather, it felt like I was shaving with only water on my face. Now since I usually soldier through most shaves anyway, I quit halfway through the clean-up pass because the irritation was getting to be a little too much. I did get a VERY close shave today, but I attribute that to Lynn's magic on my Dovo Special and my unwillingness to give up when it starts to hurt.

The moisturizing was pretty good. I guess the shea butter is about as good as the lanolin in my MWF.

After the shave, I usually go with a splash of witch hazel and after that dries, a splash of aftershave. The witch hazel is 14% alcohol and stung a bit so I let it sit until it had flashed off and then went to the aftershave. Thankfully, it wasn't very bad...thank god for good technique...

I don't know. I'm going to try IK a couple more times to see if I can work out the snags. If it doesn't work out, it's going under the sink as an emergency puck. I really wanted the stuff to work since it's received good reports.

I found that I needed a lot more product in the brush when using IK soap. The scent I love. That clean soap scent. But I will admit that after 18 months of on and off with IK soap, I did end up tossing it. It went along with a few others before I moved at the beginning of the year.

Keep working with it and see if you can find the sweet spot, as some people have. I am actually contemplating buying it again just to put in a drawer as a potpuri for my shirts or something.

If anyone knows of another soap with superior performance, but with the same scent I would appreciate a PM with that info.

Gentlemen:

I, on the other hand, am pleased with my Institute Karite soap. I have the cream, too. No, I don't feel the soap is the best, of course not. I find the lather rich and the cushion and glide fine. Not great. Fine.

Mitchell's Wool Fat is shy on lather but good on cushion. For me, it's quite good, but not the best. I have shaved with a large number of different soaps. The best shaving soap I have found, however, is Provente Sante Verlaine. Granted, I have not tried everything. From what I have tried, some 20 or 30 brands, Provence Sante Verlaine is tops — for me.

Provence Sante Verlaine is almost perfect — for my Hollywood face. Institute Karite is probably in the second or third tier of quality soaps.

Regards,
Obie

Hiya,

I'm surprised at the response about this soap. Most reviews I've read over the years give this one a big thumbs up, myself included. The IK has been a part of my rotation for a couple years now.

No problem making up a slick and cushiony lather.....very similar technique to whipping up MWF as far as a little extra product being needed when loading the brush. Post shave skin care is even better than DR Harris, at least to me. The faint lilac scent is similar to the old C&E SAO for those who know that product.

Heh, another case of YMMV I guess,

Martin

I have found IK to be a fantastic soap in every way. It is the best soap I have ever used. Granted I have not tried a lot of different soaps.

I think it all boils down to individual taste. I for one, cannot use Mitchell Wool Fat, yet a great many people swear by it.

I like the scent, the lubrication, the glide, etc. It lathers well for me and I would not find difficult to use it as the only soap i had.

I love the French triple-milled soaps, IK included. I only facelather, though. Never tried it in a bowl. Like has been said, try to be a little more liberal with the product, before you give up.

i wanted to revive this thread.. i'll be making a purchase from westcoastshaving soon and was thinking of trying this soap.. any more input? should i try something else instead?

Yep. If I had to do it again, I'd pass. I've had a number of shaves from it and it seems like the puck will last a long time and the shea butter in it makes the face feel really nice, it just doesn't do it for me. It doesn't lather right in my book. Yeah, the lather is white, but doesn't 'puff up' like some of the other brands...the look is like wiping hand lotion on the face....and that's face lathering with a boar and lots of product.

If I had to go into another direction, it would have been Trumper's Rose, TOBS Lavender, or heck another MWF

I like IK, but it does take some work to get its full benefit. Very similar to MWF lots of work to get the full benefit. I found most people I help do not work any of their soaps or cream well enough to get the full benefit. In better soaps and creams it takes work to get the high quality Oils and Butters to do their thing.

Gentlemen:

The past week or so I have shaved strictly with Institute Karite. I have always liked this soap. Initially in my comment I had put it as a fine soap in the second or third tier of quality soaps. By Jove, I will move that up to the first tier. It is a good soap. No, to me, it is still no match for my favorite, Provence Sante Verlaine, especially in the lather, but it is still an excellent soap. I recommend it.

Regards,
Obie