Thread: Col. Conk - is it worth while?

I started with Conk's, but quickly moved on after getting some better soaps. Like others have said, it does the job and you could do a lot worse, but you can do a lot better as well.

Gentlemen:

Colonel Conk was one of my early shave soaps way back in the 14th century. Williams and Van der Hagen, too.

I always found Conk's lather anemic. The glide and cushion were passable. The other two delivered similar results.

Little by little I discovered new soaps, some of which turned out to be noteworthy: Mitchell's Wool Fat, Tabac, Mama Bear, Truefitt & Hill, Provence Sante Verlaine, Institute Karite, and many more.

I am glad I started with Colonel Conk, Williams and VDH, for they became points of comparison as I continued to discover far superior shave soaps.

Great soaps are out there, waiting to be discovered by gentlemen shavers starting out.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Samuel

I've just started working at a knife shop in town (House of Knives) and we sell Col. Conk shaving bars. I've only ever used Truefit and Hill and Crabtree & Evylin.
Is the Col. worth it? or is it the type where they put that addictive chemical that make you crave it fortnightly?

I'll be honest with you. I have moved to other soaps, but was very happy with Col. Conk soaps and enjoyed using them. I paid $3.25 for a cake of Bay Rum soap, enjoyed the smell, and it lasted for two months. I would certainly carry it as a means of turning on new people to classic wetshaving.

I think Obie is spot on with the Conk. That pretty much parallels my experience too.

I've only tried the Lime version, and I hated it. Horrible scent, mediocre lather.

Spend a few more bucks and get some nicer products.

I agree with what has been said. After work, just stop at the Shoppers in the mall and grab a container of Proraso. For just a few bucks more you get a much better soap.

Originally Posted by WongKonPow

I agree with what has been said. After work, just stop at the Shoppers in the mall and grab a container of Proraso. For just a few bucks more you get a much better soap.

Ahh Proraso, that I have tried. I recall not being all that impressed with it. But then again, this coming from a guy who started on Wilkenson Sword soap, no great standing.

By the way WongKonPow, are you in the Abby vicinity then? You evidently know the mall.

Originally Posted by WongKonPow

I agree with what has been said. After work, just stop at the Shoppers in the mall and grab a container of Proraso. For just a few bucks more you get a much better soap.

+1 I like Proraso too but prefer the white version for sensitive skin. It's fantastic.

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen:

Little by little I discovered new soaps, some of which turned out to be noteworthy: Mitchell's Wool Fat, Tabac, Mama Bear, Truefitt & Hill, Provence Sante Verlaine, Institute Karite, and many more.

Obie

I too recently discovered MWF and Tabac and find them both to be amazing shave soaps. I've had Mama Bear soaps for a while but they dry out my skin a bit.

Originally Posted by Samuel

Ahh Proraso, that I have tried. I recall not being all that impressed with it. But then again, this coming from a guy who started on Wilkenson Sword soap, no great standing.

By the way WongKonPow, are you in the Abby vicinity then? You evidently know the mall.

Yessir, going to school here.

Originally Posted by gull

I've only tried the Lime version, and I hated it. Horrible scent, mediocre lather.

Spend a few more bucks and get some nicer products.

I agree, skip ichabod's lime... however it's worth a try if you really want something to compare better products to.