Thread: The Keepers

Gentlemen,

Periodically I adjust my regular shave soap lineup as I discover new ones. I don't do this with creams, since I prefer soaps, and once my current stash of creams runs out, I will replenish only Castle Forbes. Not that soaps are better than creams, no, not at all. Soaps, however, are a continuous search for me, an expedition of sort. I've just about coverd the gamut of soaps from France, England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and a few other countries. It gets expensive, yes, but I enjoy the tour.

I rarely uber-lather, because I believe a good soap should stand on its own — and I use good soaps. To me, for instancing, spiking Martin de Candre, Provence Sante, or Mitchell's Wool Fat, among other fine soaps, is sacrilege. It's like trying to change Ernest Hemingway's writing, or that of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Now, that is sacrilege. Anyway, on the rare occasion that I do spike my soap is because of its low quality, one of the misses in my search, so to speak — until I decide to send it to the happy farm for good.

Also, I tend to buy these with their distinct soap bowls. I might as well. Mitchell's Wool Fat deserves its own bowl; so does Provence Sante; and Martin de Candre. On the other hand, somehow I can't make myself buy the tin can L'Occitane uses for a soap bowl. For heaven's sake, couldn't you do any better for such a fine soap? But what do I know? I just work here.

Recently I have discovered Scottish Fine Soaps (Classic Male Grooming). I knew of this soap for a while, but chose not to go after it, because I was chasing others. Also, a while back SRP had a thread on this soap that somewhere along the way went off topic and, frustrated, I gave up on the thread and moved on to others. I tend to do that with threads that lose their focus. Anyway . . .

This morning I shaved with this soap and was delighted with my discovery. The soap met the four requirements I ask in a good soap: moisture, glide, cushion, and coda. Coda is the musical term I like to use for how the soap leaves the face after the shave. The pleasant fragrance is mild, a blend of powder and plain old natural smelling soap.

I used the 6/8 Red Imp square point, with the silky edge Sham (hi_bud_gl) had put on it, and the Thater 22 mm. stubby brush, which I really like. I usually do two passes, because of my sensitive skin and heavy beard, but I was enjoying myself so much that I went to three passes. I think I could have added a few more passes just to stretch my enjoyment of the trio.

So here I am ready to stamp the keepers in my stash:

Martin de Candre
Provence Sante Verlaine
Institute Karite
L'Occitane
Le Collectioneur Lothantique
Truefitt & Hill
Mitchell's Wood Fat
D.H. Harris lavender
Tabac
Valobra
Scottish Fine Soaps
Klar (a quality German soap, which is another recent discovery)

I am sure I'll make other discoveries, with hits and misses, but the list above has been steady. That does not count Scottish Fine Soaps and Klar, which need more testing.

Gentlemen, have you any keepers in your stash? Thanks.

Obie,
I truly appreciate your posts about soaps! When I want to try something new, your comments are the first I go to so that I trust my experience will be a good one. You should however in my humble opinion change your tag line to "King of Soaps"...just kidding, but thanks again Obie!
Regards,
Joe

I don't see Cella,( Crema Da Barba) on your list. I just started using this within the last week and it makes good lather, razor glides well!
MHW

Very nice post, Obie. There's a L'Occitane opening up in the underground right beside my office, so I imagine I will be paying them a visit. I also have a Truefitt & Hill about 10 minutes from here. I envision I will likely be visiting that place a couple of times, as well.

Originally Posted by mwnc252

I don't see Cella,( Crema Da Barba) on your list. I just started using this within the last week and it makes good lather, razor glides well!
MHW

Oh, yes, I have tried Cella. It's a fine soap, but it has not made my Keepers list.

Originally Posted by jdto

Very nice post, Obie. There's a L'Occitane opening up in the underground right beside my office, so I imagine I will be paying them a visit. I also have a Truefitt & Hill about 10 minutes from here. I envision I will likely be visiting that place a couple of times, as well.

Yes, both L'Occitane and Truefitt & Hill are excellent soaps and I recommend them.

My one keeper would have to be the Arko stick. Doesn't have te luxurious scent of other soaps and creams. Has no fancy packaging. It just out and out performs. I am never disappointed.

I have found, in my admittedly still budding traditional shaving career, that trying different products is just as much fun as the shaving itself. I am already a big fan of MWF--which is my first keeper with the ceramic bowl and an extra puck on the way from England--and I look forward to giving a couple of DR Harris soaps a go in the near future, along with Tabac. I am making a little list for Garry, to be sent off shortly, which should give me enough samples to hold me for quite some time and also help solidify what I do and do not like.

I appreciate your analysis of the soaps mentioned here. I agree that super- or uber-lathering some soaps seems to be sacrilegious, but I am tempted, when my T&H samples are running low, to super them up with some MWF and see how it does.

Originally Posted by Theseus

My one keeper would have to be the Arko stick. Doesn't have te luxurious scent of other soaps and creams. Has no fancy packaging. It just out and out performs. I am never disappointed.

Hello, Theseus: I've actually used the Arko stick and liked soap as well as the strong barbershop fragrance. It's hard to beat for the price. I have also used it for travel, although my current travel stick soaps are Lea, La Toja, and Palmolive.

I don't know Obie, but to me it looks like you have missed some of the best soaps out there.
I didn't see Master Kecks Transcendental Shave Joy made from the essences of Earth, Wind and Fire.
Then there's Mr Tucows Udder Soap made from, well you know.
Also imported from Eastern Europe, Vampire Brand soap with real blood for great lubrication.
I didn't notice from S. California Genuine New River Whisker Eater the ingredients are the key to that prep
No soap collection is complete without DeBeers Diamond soap containing ground diamonds to scour your skin to a great shave and a real diamond in every puck.

Yea, you got to look around and investigate what the world has to offer. Tomorrow I'm gonna shave with Senora Rufina's Pizza soap. Smells just like an Anchovy Pizza and contains real cheese to soothe the skin. I just gotta put the cat outside when I use it.