What soap next?

[donpol]

Over the past several months I've used a variety of soaps and creams, some I bought, some were samples. I admit the creams give me an excellent shave, however I seem to like the soaps better. I'm looking to try a different soap. I've used ClassicShaving brand (pretty good), Williams (pretty good also), and VanderHagen (good, but can't stand the scent). I've also found that I like scents that are described as "soapy, medicinal, or barbershop-like"; Proraso is a favored scent.

I have been reading reviews and found good information from members. I am thinking of trying some other soaps when mine are gone. I am considering Col Conk, Mama Bear, and maybe Tabac.

My question is: If you've used Classic, Williams, or VDH, and something else you found to be better, what was it? What would be a 'step up' from what I have? I'm not looking to buy a bunch of soaps, just a few good ones.

Thank you
Don

[biomesh]

I am considering Col Conk, Mama Bear, and maybe Tabac.


All of these are excellent as the scents and performance are quite a bit above what you are currently using. I would really recommend the Tabac or maybe another triple milled soap like DR Harris or Trumpers.

[michaelskar]

Tabac is great. Speick has a nice "medicinal" old-school scent (IMHO) and works great. Musgo real cream also has a great barbershop scnet, as does the proraso red tube cream.

but again, as for soaps, its hard to beat tabac.

[Black Adder]

You might not like how it smells, but Tabac is a must try. My "rotation" at present, is Tabac and Mitchell's Wool Fat, and Tabac is edging ahead in this race. I really think I'll be using Tabac exclusively in the future... it might not be as fun having 2 dozen soaps and creams to "rotate" through, but part of the reason I changed to wet shaving was to save on money, and Tabac provides everything I need in a shaving soap.

Don

[scoopster]

Soapy might be something like Mitchel's Wool Fat. It has an excellent reputation but it will be pricy compared to stuff like Williams.

I've read some of the French soaps are kind of soapy smelling, good performers and decently priced. Someone will have to offer a specific brand. These are the names I know but I haven't used any of them so I cant cite which one would be soapy: Provence Sante, Pri De Provence, L'Occitane CADE, Institute Karite.

Enjoy the hunt!

[prewt]

Of the three you listed, Tabac would be my first choice. The biggest problem with mama bears soap is picking just one.

[Antique Hoosier]

TABAC or Truefitt & Hill Luxury Shaving Soap. If only choosing one...go for the TABAC.

[bjrn]

You might not like how it smells, but Tabac is a must try.Perhaps because of the scent you might want to think carefully before getting Tabac. It's quite strong and ... distinctive. If that's a type of scent you like then go for it, but otherwise you might want to play it safe and go with some other milled soap.

[Suzuki]

You definitely need to try a hard soap.

Fortunately, some of the less expensive shaving sticks have a nice clean soapy smell, I suggest trying Arko, Erasmick, Palmolive sticks. If you're looking for a puck, the T&H is pretty mild and has a slight lavender scent, but really smells just like soap to me, also the French shea butter soaps are all likely going to fit the bill. You'll likely be amazed at the diffence when you move to a hard soap.

Let us know what you decide to go for!

[Mr Mockett]

Of the three you listed, Tabac would be my first choice. The biggest problem with mama bears soap is picking just one.
Why would you have to pick just one?

+1 on Mama Bear and Col Conk. I haven't tried Tabac, but I've heard all the good things.

If you want something that smells like industrial cleaner, try Arko.

[Ltltony]

You should also consider HBS (Honey Bee Spa) soaps. They are fantastic, low priced, and work amazingly. It's hard to get a bad shave with it.

[loueedacat]

but part of the reason I changed to wet shaving was to save on money
Don

Me too - oh well - so much for that idea! :biggrin:

All of the good tripple mills last so long that it's more important to get one you like than to save a few bucks, because even if you spend $20 for a refill (and by the way, if you want to save, buy a refill and put it in an anchor hocking bowl), but it lasts a year, you didn't really spend that much money for it.

Tabac is awesome and you can get a refill for $10 plus shipping. DRHarris, T&H and MWF are awesome but you'll be out $15 plus plus shipping. But I'd focus on grabbing one or two you like, because $15 plus shipping for a year of shaving soap is not expensive. It only gets expensive if, like me, you can't control yourself and buy ten-twenty years worth of soaps.

[jkh]

+1 for HBS.


You should also consider HBS (Honey Bee Spa) soaps. They are fantastic, low priced, and work amazingly. It's hard to get a bad shave with it.

[Bradford]

TABAC or Truefitt & Hill Luxury Shaving Soap. If only choosing one...go for the TABAC.

+1 you must have Tabac in your rotation.

[blade08]

'De Vergulde Hand' is the premier soap in Holland, it's a Dutch brand. I have never used it but it is said to be a good soap. Link http://www.verguldehand.nl/

[lborba]

I've started using the Lavender-scented shave soap and it's amazing. I got it through ClassicShaving.com

[Churchill]

+1 for the Truefitt & Hill Luxury.There are a few sights selling the refills for less than 15 dollars.

[boboakalfb]

Tabac, MWF, T&H, Pre de Provence, Provence Sante...can't really go wrong with any of these.

[bman40]

Why would you have to pick just one?

+1 on Mama Bear and Col Conk. I haven't tried Tabac, but I've heard all the good things.

If you want something that smells like industrial cleaner, try Arko.

I have the TABAC soap, and the lather is amazing but...the scent is a bit overpowering...I find shaiving with TABAC makes me sweat - does that make sense? the scent is strong and very 'warm' in character -I had the distinct impression Saturday am that it was making me overheat... weird...:001_huh:

[loueedacat]

I find shaiving with TABAC makes me sweat - does that make sense? :

ummmm, no. :001_smile

now it might make the ladies sweat......

and it might make your dog overheat......

[Hoos]

Mama Bear's Hydrogen - a nice, subtle, clean scent. There's a medicinal quality to the scent, but it's not strong. It may be my favorite soap.

Tabac is strong and the scent hangs around post-shave for hours. To me it was more along the lines of "tobacco leather" than "soapy medicinal".

[murchmb]

You should try Tabac, if only to have a benchmark for other soaps.

[Suzuki]

I think you might need to be careful with the strongly-scented glycerine soaps.

The Tabac is very good stuff - the interesting this is that while its strongly-scented, I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about irritation.

[rtheen]

Tabac is great. Speick has a nice "medicinal" old-school scent (IMHO) and works great. Musgo real cream also has a great barbershop scnet, as does the proraso red tube cream.

but again, as for soaps, its hard to beat tabac.
+1

If you like the proraso go after the above, also I would like to add erasmic shave stick is good in this regard