Handmade shaving soaps

The recent ARKO thread inspired me to go to the bay today and order a stick of arko. WHile I was there I also ordered a three bar set of handmade clay shaving soaps. One a Bay and Rum, one Arabian Spice, and one Morccan Clay.

Being an artist I like the idea of supporting cottage industries and craftsmen of various kinds so I figured even if they suck the $12.70 I spent isn't going to kill me.

Anyway, have any of you tried handmade soaps from the folks selling over the bay and what are your general thoughts about them?

Ray

I've bought several pucks of shave soap on ebay. Most weren't that great but were very servicable. The far and away best are the soaps I got from Deb at Handmade Naturals. I don't think she sells on ebay anymore but she still sells at her site: Handmade Naturals by Deb

Thanks Theseus. I checked out her site and I have ran across her soaps on the bay before. Unfortunately those were not the ones I ordered but next time around for sure.

Ray

I have enjoyed several cakes from beechstreetbungalow on the bay. Far better than the Van Der Hagen's I've tried so far. Plenty of slip, excellent choice of fragrances, lathers very well. Low price that includes shipping and ships quickly. I have been very happy and will definitely order again and again.

I have ordered several hand made soaps from at least 3 different vendors. The first I was thrilled about, the last I did not like at all. My satisfaction was partly influenced by my growing knowledge about shave soaps in general, I believe.

I do like to support small companies, but I have not yet met a glycerin soap I did like. It seems most small companies make glycerin soaps, so now I don't order from those home companies anymore. If I did like glycerin soaps, I would have continued to test the small brands. They don't cost much, and I'm sure there are lots of nice soaps out there.

Best of luck.

I bought some Dirty Deeds bay rum from Etsy once. It wasn't so great. Hard to lather and dried so fast. I think I might do better with it now that I'm more experienced.

I bought 3 soap cakes once, cant remember the vendor name, sorry...but it was great soap!!!! I just tried arko yesterday for the very first time...i'm in love! lol

I have purchased a few...the ones from deb were fine. They certainly got the Job done. There is a local soap maker in my area and a few small stores sell her items. The soap is good soap, but they are always out of the shave soap. I saw her while at a craft show and picked up a few bars of soap and 2 pucks of shave soap. These pucks were a good size for $4. I gave one to a buddy for his birthday and kept the other. I can not get this soap to lather, I tried everything. (I know it isn't me...I am a guy and I do everything right):rofl2: I get something that looks like lather but when it is on my face it dries before I even finish lathering up, or just turns to suds and runs off. I have never successfully shaved with the soap. I am tempted to buy another puck and give it away to a member here to see if they have better luck and the problem actually is me

If ya'll are interested there are threads on the site for making your own.