Crabtree & Evelyn Soap

I got a puck / bowl of crabtree & evelyn soap today and OMG what a difference. I may just be the single most awesome piece of soap I have ever held.

Judging by the pretty hardwood bowl I thought this would be a nice and luxurious piece of soap but after actually shaving with it I am sold. I tried vergulde hand (cheapo) and Fantasia (not so cheapo) but the C&E is many times nicer. Not only is the sandalwood smell relaxing but the lather it makes is like whipped cream on your face and makes the razor glide over your face as if it where made of ice. NICE! I'm a fan XD

http://www.gracioushome.com/images/5025181_3.jpg

I was also pleasantly surprised how good it was. I got Nomad, sold on the first sniff. Once loaded up properly and the hydration level right.. the glide is there, but it seems that's the easy part. It also has very nice cushion, which straight users really appreciate. I hear it's triple-milled (wish shave soap makers would advertise the distinction) so it should last a long time for the quantity. I really like the wooden bowl, too. Simple but elegant.

There was a rumor they were discontinued, which was verified by a salesperson in the store (May/2010), but then she said they were brought back by popular demand (whew!). Hopefully the Crabtree & Evelyn shaving soaps are here to stay. Would be nice if they expanded their scents, too.

I'd like to try their version of sandalwood (I'm a sandalwood fan) if I could find it, but I was totally put off by the scent of the nomad. I realize many guys may like nomad, but I'm not one of them. YMMV....

I really like Sandalwood scented soap. A couple of years ago I bought a few of the $35 Edwin Jagger C&E brushes as gifts for friends and bought a C&E Sandalwood soap just to take advantage of throwing it into the shipping charge. I was very disappointed with this soap. For me, in my opinion, it was just plain bland. The lather was no better than Williams soap and the scent was pretty much non-existent. It did not smell like other Sandalwood soaps I have used.

I don't know, maybe I got an aberration on the edge of the Bell curve, but I doubt if I'll ever buy another puck of soap from Crabtree and Evelyn.

I also have some of their Nomad. I liked the scent more in the store than when I got it home, but it's still alright. I agree, it performs rather well; definitely something to try if you haven't already.