Well..I don't know what took me so long to do it, but I finally bought some Cella shave soap..and..wow!! For the price and the performance, I don't see how it can be topped!! And I've got some expensive dang soaps that don't really compare!!
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Well..I don't know what took me so long to do it, but I finally bought some Cella shave soap..and..wow!! For the price and the performance, I don't see how it can be topped!! And I've got some expensive dang soaps that don't really compare!!
That's why Cella has stood upon time. It is a top performer and also convenient for travelling, it always has a spot on my den.
Can't argue that it isn't a good performing soap, I just don't care for the scent. I have the same trouble with Vitos Red which seems similar to Cella in performance. The scent doesn't stop me from using it though.
Bob
Cella: the soap so good they'll sell it to you by the kilo.
I just tried cella tonight and holy god in heaven. It didn't feel like the razor ever touched me.
One of the few good things that they haven't stopped making since 1899.
A great soap, i have grown to like the scent, shaved with it this evening.
I love Cella. I get it by the kilo.
Don't eat it you really won't like it that way.
I truly think I am the only shaver who absolutely hates it :( lol. its so weird, it just does nothing for me at all. id rather use a bar of dove soap.
For me Cella is definately a top shelf "Crema da Barba" it lathers beautifully is scent is not overwellming and in the end just great results.
I always get the red tub, interestingly i see many get the 1 kilo box, i was always under the impression that was a different products hence its different name "Crema Sapone" thoughts?
Add me to the Cella club. I simply love it, in particular its almond scent, which is very typical for an Italian shaving cream/soap. Truly excellent stuff!
I'm another one who isn't thrilled with the stuff. To me it's a good all around soap-mid level but it doesn't compare to the top tier soaps out there.
You're not the only one...
I have tried Cella three times.. She and I just don't get along.
First two times I gave up and PiF'd the tub because I couldn't get a decent lather. This time, after a brain-storm, I tried it in stick form (just pressed it into a twist up) and while I can finally lather it well, it seems to dry down too fast for a straight shave. Might work well for a brisker DE shave...we'll see.
I have no shortage of great soaps, so if Cella and I remain at odds, it's no big deal.
You may try the so called "Italian loading method". Soak your brush in hot water for a few minutes. Without shaking the brush (just leave it to loose a some water with gravity) load from the soap with gentle circle moves. Don't push the brush, use only the tips of the brush. Load the brush for 40 to 60 seconds. Then you may face or bowl lather.
+10 to your comment. I did not know you would call this method as "Italian loading method" but it is the only method I always use when loading my brush with soap, any soap. Maybe this is what makes a difference with Cella and similar soaps?
I always soak my brush in warm water, saved synthetic brushes, for about five minutes before starting making a lather. I always use a bowl and, according to my experience, Cella always makes a rich, luscious and creamy lather. It's all about water and Cella likes water quite a lot. Not that much, but more water that you would usually use for, say, non tallow base soap, like Proraso soap.
It is said that this method was used by old Italian barbers. Works well with soft or hard soaps, boar or badger brushes.
Cella's the gold standard for me and the best performer. But occasionally I get tired of the scent and like a nice clean soapy smell.
What I did for an alternative, with great results, is grate an Arko stick with a cheese grater. Then I add water and boil. I squirt in some glycerin and add some citronella essential oil to duplicate the Williams smell. That combo is fantastic! (BTW, Arko really doesn't need the glycerin boost to lather well, it just lathers better since I did it.)
But I get the same results with Cella without doing a thing to it. It's the very best as far as I'm concerned. I just wish I could smell something else. I might try adding a couple of drops of an essential oil before shaving next time to see if I can get a different scent to change things up a little.
This is what I can easily get from Cella:
- Omega Badger Brush
- Cella Shaving Cream (of course)
- Bowl
Soak the brush in warm water for about five minutes, soak Cella soap with warm water too, then get rid of excessive water both from brush and soap. Load brush with a circular motion for about 40 seconds, mount lather in the bowl for about one minute. Add water drops, in case you need to.
Result: long lasting and very creamy lather which does not dry up. The quantity you see in the picture is enough for three passes, at least for me.
Enjoy! :)
Love the stuff.
Smells like marzipan in the tub - a little different on the face.
Great lather and lubrication.
How is Cella compare to P.160? I have never tried Cella but for some reason I always assumed they were pretty close to the same thing. Might have to pick up a kilo if they are similar at all, almost out of P.160.
It's not quite as good for lathering up here as Tabac is, but Cella's still good stuff. :)
I just bought a kilo of this soap and I am excited in anticipation of my first use with it!
Ive always read that cella is very good, but then again that Tabac or Proraso are still better. So, Im really not sure that SWMBO would allow anymore space being taken from the bathroom. so I guess what Im getting at is, *other than a different scent I guess, whats the draw, or if I have Proraso and Tabac, why would I want to try Cella?
The almond smell is very strong though.
That is the one problem with soaps, the scent. A soap can be in all respects a good performer and the scent not be to your liking. That is the way it is for me with Cella. I can't fault it's performance but I don't particularly care for the scent but still use it.
Bob