Proraso vs Martin de Candre, your thoughts?

[Igor01]

My apologies for somewhat provocative title, I realize that the price difference is a huge factor, but irrespective of the cost of these two, which ones do you prefer and why?

I love the green Proraso, it is such a pleasure to use - easy to load the brush, lathers like a champ and gives me some of my closest shaves. I also enjoy the scent which to me is a very clean, masculine, soapy, fresh and invigorating one. Like it so much, I'll pick up a tub of the white one just to experience a different take on this great performer.

I've also been looking for more soaps to introduce to my rotation (already have 6-7 soaps and even more creams), preferably non-tallow ones and a lot of positive reviews pointed me to MdC. Expensive, yes, but it sounds like a fantastic soap (provided its somewhat polarizing scent works for me). So I've ordered two jars and should receive them next week.

I am curious what others users of these two soaps think of them and how would their qualities like latherability, protectiveness, sleekness, moisturizing ability stack these two against each other. I suppose both of these are great choices that deserve a place in any wetshaver's rotation, but any thoughts or comments from those who have experienced both would be appreciated. And again, I am only interested in the actual performance comparison, please ignore the price difference.

Many thanks in advance!

[SheriffLobo]

Shaving newb here (long time lurker though). Started DE shaving a few weeks back...very little exposure to soaps. Since you are a fellow cannuck...I was curious to see how much it actually cost you with shipping and such to get a jar of cadre over.

[julian0808]

I have used both of them on a regular basis and consider MdC a far superior shave than proraso. The cream produced by MdC is far more protective and cushioning than Proraso. As we are in the depths of a cold winter here, I also dont need the cooling effect of Proraso, the lavender scent from MdC is far more warming to the skin even if the same temperature water is used for both.
You are right in saying that proraso loads easily and the cream produced is consistently good. Someone once said you could have the worst shaving technique yet still produce a soft creamy lather with proraso. The same could not be said of MdC, it is French, takes some getting to know and can be temperamental. Taking your time with MdC will give you a far superior shave over time. It doesn't help though that they fill their heavy glas pots to the brim and all the cream spills over the side. A shaving mug or bowl close at hand would solve those problems.

[drandall]

proraso is fine, but MdC is in a completely different league. of course, it should be for the staggering difference in cost. that being said, it rocks.

[reyrascon]

I know this is Proraso vs MdC, but I'm going to throw this out there. La Toja shave stick. I recently got one from vintagescent.com and I love it. La Toja has a very nice clean scent and lathers like a champ. My current rotation consists of MWF, Tabac (soap), Cella, Proraso (cream) and La Toja can go toe to toe with any of these great shave products. It is the best non-tallow soap I have used yet, although I have not used MdC.

[insomniac]

Proraso is a timeless wetshaving classic.

MdC is the latest fashionable kid on the scene - difficult to find, not cheap...


Stick with the classics :thumbup1:

[oversaturn]

MdC is waaaaay much better than Proraso. An entirely different league.
I have both, and MdC is vastly superior to Proraso.

[Luc]

MdC will give you a better lather.

Scent + methol? Proraso!

I'm not a huge fan of MdC scent but it does work very well. Proraso is much easier to get, cheaper and I love the scent. More plus for Proraso, so I pick Proraso.

[Gustav]

Get yourself the Green Proraso cream and superlather it with MdC, that way you get the best of both worlds.

[LordTyranus]

Proraso and Martin de Candre both give a good lather and a good shave.

But overall I'm not a big fan of Proraso due the cheap ingredients list (too much chemical) and the cheap scent.

[Igor01]

Guys, thanks so much for all the comments, much appreciated. Just curious, how many feel that MdC is indeed a bit more temperamental than Proraso, i.e. somewhat more difficult to get the perfect soap to water ratio?


...I was curious to see how much it actually cost you with shipping and such to get a jar of cadre over.

2 x Shaving soap 170 g () = $75,73
------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total: $75,73
Colissimo (1 x 1.456 Kgs towards Canada): $39,29
Reduction export: $-5,99
Total: $109,02

The pricing is in US Dollars, so since our loonie is a bit stronger than the greenback or at par, the Canadian price should be about the same.


.... La Toja shave stick. .... It is the best non-tallow soap I have used yet, although I have not used MdC.

Thanks for the recommendation, La Toja is definitely on my to-try list.

[LouieGrandie]

Proraso is fine, but MdC is in a completely different league.

+1 on this. Have both and feel the same.

[LouieGrandie]

So I've ordered two jars and should receive them next week.


Two jars? That should last you about 2.5 years if you used it every day.

[Igor01]

Two jars? That should last you about 2.5 years if you used it every day.

I suspect they will last me quite a bit longer than that since I don't plan on using just the MdC soap exclusively. SSAD knoweth no mercy :)

[kingfisher]

I've never tried Proraso, but the MdC makes an amazing lather.

I don't feel like it's that finicky. I can get a great lather without much fuss. I have about two years of lathering experience and I'm a daily shaver.

[Harvitz81]

MdC has become my favorite shaving soap and I've tried virtually all of them. Don't give up on the scent. Initially I wasn't a fan, but after using it for 5 shaves or so it grew on me and now it is one of my favorite scents.

If you are looking for something proraso like, but better I would try Santa Maria Novella. I'm not a fan of proraso at all, but SMN is one of the best soap/creams I've tried.

[cegadede]

Proraso wins over martin de candre on the smell department (martin's smell is just awfull). In terms of easyness of use and quality, MdC runs laps around it.

[Cuttingboard]

MdC has become my favorite shaving soap and I've tried virtually all of them. Don't give up on the scent. Initially I wasn't a fan, but after using it for 5 shaves or so it grew on me and now it is one of my favorite scents.

If you are looking for something proraso like, but better I would try Santa Maria Novella. I'm not a fan of proraso at all, but SMN is one of the best soap/creams I've tried.

Same here...love MdC and SMN, no fan of Proraso.

[Mike Schutz]

Can't stand menthol so my Prorasso goes mostly unused. Except for the scent, it is good. Never tried MDC but because it isn't menthol, it has to be better.

[Ignatius]

MdC is waaaaay much better than Proraso. An entirely different league.
I have both, and MdC is vastly superior to Proraso.
It better had be!

[Marco]

MdC is waaaaay much better than Proraso. An entirely different league.
I have both, and MdC is vastly superior to Proraso.

I agree with Emanuel, here. Proraso is a great, classic barbershop soap that gives fine, close shaves. And its strong cooling kick is particularly appreciated during hot summer days. But Martin de Candre is a superior product. Better lather, better slickness, better performance. MdC is simply one of finest shaving soaps availble on the market today.


MdC has become my favorite shaving soap and I've tried virtually all of them. Don't give up on the scent. Initially I wasn't a fan, but after using it for 5 shaves or so it grew on me and now it is one of my favorite scents.

If you are looking for something proraso like, but better I would try Santa Maria Novella. I'm not a fan of proraso at all, but SMN is one of the best soap/creams I've tried.

I also agree with Joe here. SMN, enriched with lanolin, is an "upgraded" version of Proraso. So, a Proraso-like cream/soap, but better.

P.S. Proraso and Santa Maria Novella are both produced by the same manufacturer, that is the Ludovico Martelli company.

[Virulence]

Being a fellow Canuck, mind sharing where you purchased your MdC from? I don't think I've run across any sites that will ship to Canada yet

[Cuttingboard]

Being a fellow Canuck, mind sharing where you purchased your MdC from? I don't think I've run across any sites that will ship to Canada yet

Martin De Candre E-Craft Shop. (http://savonnerie-martin-de-candre.ic-sites.com/)

French Gardening (http://www.frenchgardening.com/item.html?pid=GISF40)

[reyrascon]

Martin De Candre E-Craft Shop. (http://savonnerie-martin-de-candre.ic-sites.com/)

French Gardening (http://www.frenchgardening.com/item.html?pid=GISF40)

At French Gardening the shipping and handling charges are $28!!! Ends up costing about $68, which I think is the same price when ordering directly from MdC. Anyone know what the shipping time is when ordering from French Gardening?

[joshmpdx]

I've given my Boss a few shaving items here and there. He has both MdC as well as Proraso.

He came in this morning and said "Man that MdC is great shave soap!" I was a bit surprised as i would have guessed that Proraso would be more immediately appealing. So i asked if he really preferred it over Proraso, which he confirmed.

If i had to pick one over the other i very well may pick Proraso.

[Aaron622]

At French Gardening the shipping and handling charges are $28!!! Ends up costing about $68, which I think is the same price when ordering directly from MdC. Anyone know what the shipping time is when ordering from French Gardening?

Because it's still getting shipped from France. See this thread (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=186847).

[Igor01]

First shave with MdC this morning - the soap is a wonderful performer, the reviews were right about that. Super easy to lather, protective, cushioning, sleek and 20 or so seconds of twirling my brush on the soap produced enough lather for 4 passes. So far I think MdC has the most protective lather of all the creams and soaps that I've tried, I have no irritation on my face after 4 passes except for a tiny spot on my upper lip where I used too much pressure (I got cocky seeing the quality of the lather).

I am not sold on the scent though. To me it has a resemblance to oregano seeds essential oil - the smell I can't stand. It's not too sharp or too unpleasant but I just don't see it being pleasant at all.

[LouieGrandie]

At French Gardening the shipping and handling charges are $28!!! Ends up costing about $68, which I think is the same price when ordering directly from MdC. Anyone know what the shipping time is when ordering from French Gardening?

Note that Aqua de Parma is $62 plus tax when purchased in Chicago so the price would be in line with other high end soaps and creams you would purchase locally.

[Igor01]

Right after I received my two pucks of MdC I had half a mind of selling both as I thought I hated the scent, but decided to give this soap a fair chance. Well, after a few shaves with MdC I am becoming a convert. Either the scent has mellowed out, or my nose got attuned to it - I actually don't mind it now, it's a very complex and somehow "French", with notes that to me smell like lavender and rosemary. Still wouldn't be my first choice for shaving soap scent but damn, if this is not a 180 degree about turn, it's at least a 160 or so :)

Where this soap shines is the quality of lather - it takes almost no effort at all to work up dense, thick, supple and madly cushioney/protective lather. It's also very stable and doesn't break down even during very long shaves (think leasurely passes and even taking a break mid-way because the girlfriend wants you to watch " a really cute youtube video)... MdC appears to give me the most protection against razor burn and irritation, none of my other soaps or creams can match. Granted, I don't use tallow soaps anymore (by choice) but from what I remember of P160 the MdC works better for me. It's so protective I don't have to be paranoiacally cautious to avoid razor burn - makes the shave even more relaxing.

So far it looks like I will be keeping both the pucks and they will be seeing a lot of use!

[LouieGrandie]

Glad you like it. Note that the large jars are suppose to last at least a year so if you rotate then you are looking at almost 2 years for one jar so you might as well sell one.