Opinions needed on Milled soaps

I've been using Col Conk amber for years and like it; great lather and shave. I thought I'd give a few triple milled soaps a try. I'm ordering the Vintage Blades house brand, D.R. Harris and Taylor of Old Bond Street, all similarly prices at under $15. I'm considering the Penhaligon's at twice the price. What are your opinions of the three under 15 and is the Penhaligon's worth the money? I'm interested in how long it lasts as opposed to the Conk I use now, do they provide a superior shave (and I mean SUPERIOR, cause I get an excellent shave with Conk), do they lather easier (not a real concern, I'm sure I can get a good lather from a slab of granite:); when I run out of Conk, I use leftover Irish Spring "soap butts" and still get a good lather and shave). Also, any other suggestions on milled soaps in the $15 or so range; lightly scented, don't really like strong scented soap. What the heck, maybe up to $30. Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I switched from Col. Conk to Taylor of Old Bond Street a while back. While I'm still a relative newbie, and my use of Conk was in the very beginning, my opinion of TOBS is much higher than my opinion of Conk. I get thicker lather that lasts longer (no drying out on my face while stropping), and it provides much better glide, IMO. Overall, TOBS is a better soap, IMO. In addition, the cake of TOBS seems to have lasted longer. I can't comment, though, on the others you mentioned.

The brands you've listed are all top shelf; that is you won't be disappointed. As has been mentioned, the tripple milled soaps are very hard and last forever, provide great lather and glide. A lot of people are hesitant at first due to the price, but TBH once you try some of the great products (as opposed to the "okay" products) you'll wonder why you bothered with the Col. Conk for so long.

I do not get it. My slab of granite (though I prefer my cement block) has lasted 32years and is still going strong. Why try anything else!

Seriously, I agree that the other soaps you are considering will relegate the Conk to washing the family pooch. I would recommend Trumpers as well.

I received two cakes of soap from vintage blades at a meet a few months ago and it is magical stuff! A light yet pleasent scent and excellant lather. If you are looking for something else to add to the list you could check out Fitjar. They also make excellent stuff with great manly scents.

I went ahead and ordered the Vintage Blades, D.R. Harris, Taylor of Old Bond Street and the Penhaligon's (hope it's worth twice the price). We'll see if there's a clear winner. Thanks folks.

Hello, Captp:

Taylor of Old Bond Street, D.H. Harris, Geo F Trumper are excellent creams. Harris and Trumper are priced higher than Taylor.

I also rotate Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet, which is heavenly, but more expensive than the others. Is it worth the price? To me it is.

If you want economy, then I suggest staying with Taylor. On the other hand, the others are worth trying, too. The adventure of Penhaligon's, however, is a must.

Regards,

Obie

D.R. Harris Arlington is one of the finest hard soaps in the world IMHO it's only equal being Martin de Candre from France. Penhaligon's and Taylor of Old Bond Street certainly have their following and are excellent soaps so basically you can't go wrong if you ordered any of them.

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Originally Posted by LouieGrandie

D.R. Harris Arlington is one of the finest hard soaps in the world IMHO it's only equal being Martin de Candre from France.

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I'm not sure that I've heard of Martin de Candre; where is it sold?

savonnerie artisanale Martin de Candre, savons comme autrefois, procd marseillais

This is their e-web page for ordering

Traditional soap factory Martin de Candre: Good quality shaving soap with generous foaming

This is their web page explaining their product.

I was lucky enough to have a girl friend who went to Paris to visit a childhood friend and when there she went to Planete Rasoir and picked me up a jar.

Welcome to planète rasoir

My TOBS was dried out when I got it. It still satisfies and is still used twice/wk for the last 6 mo. I'd buy it again without question.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LouieGrandie

savonnerie artisanale Martin de Candre, savons comme autrefois, procd marseillais

This is their e-web page for ordering

Traditional soap factory Martin de Candre: Good quality shaving soap with generous foaming

This is their web page explaining their product.

I was lucky enough to have a girl friend who went to Paris to visit a childhood friend and when there she went to Planete Rasoir and picked me up a jar.

Welcome to planète rasoir

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Thanks for the info this one is new to me. When I am in Europe this summer I will have to give it a try.

I received and used all of the triple milled soaps. Here's my initial thoughts: they all work pretty close to the same. The Fernhaligon (that's Penhaligon English Fern) was the last I tried. Great lather, good smooth shave, and to top it all off, it smells incredible; it was almost overpowering even before I removed the heat shrink wrap; now, that's some scent. However, none of them gave me a better lather or shave than my old standby Col. Conk amber, or the Mama Bear soaps I got this week. To be clear on this, the Conk and MB both give great lather and shaves. I'm currently rotating through them to see which ones last last longer, the cold pour or triple milled, based on price, of course; if 3 Conks last as long as 1 TOBS or Harris, it's a push; if Conk outlasts the others...well, I gotta go with the less expensive ones.

My biggest complaint is that every maker's soap seems to be a slightly different size, each one wider than the last. I know why they do that: they want you to buy their wood bowl for it, but I refuse to pay double the price (compared to the TOBS and Harris, both of which I got in the bowl) for the Penhaligon in its bowl. Why is the Pen bowl $30 and the other $15? Doubt it's better wood or better made, just perfectly fitted to their soap, and a certain amount of snob appeal (look at me, I pay $30 for my soap, yours is only $15, my soap's better than yours and I'm a better person than you:p). Shaved the edges a bit (too much like real work to remill the whole thing) and put it in the mango wood bowl I got. So, take that, Penhaligon, you Upper Class Twit of the Year (anyone get the reference?)