P160/cella/Valobra fans: Let's start a soft soap club

[guitarslinger]

Soft Soap Alliance?

I just did three days in a row

Wed: Cella
Thurs: Val Almond
Fri: P.160


I can't get enough. It's my life now.:redface:

[deshaveman]

You sound like me and my Tabac puck. My Valobra sits in a little dish neglected. Perhaps I will break it out over the holiday.

[guitarslinger]

You sound like me and my Tabac puck. My Valobra sits in a little dish neglected. Perhaps I will break it out over the holiday.

Soft soaps are tricky just like Tabac. They require a certain water/soap balance to be effective.

My technique:

1. soak TBS synthetic in hot water during shower.
2. Water on top of soft soap during shower, just like Tabac.
3. Shake brush until it's just about dry.
4. discard water from soap dish. load the brush like crazy
5. make sure face is very wet before the brush hits it.
6. go to town on your face making lather.

= A plus shaves every time with any of the three soft soaps.:biggrin:

[RichGem]

I've been using val almond all week.

[talibeard]

Soft Soap Alliance?

I just did three days in a row

Wed: Cella
Thurs: Val Almond
Fri: P.160

I can't get enough. It's my life now.:redface:

Do you use the P.160 tipo duro (hard version, but still pretty soft) or the tipo morbido (the really, really (is it a cream?!) soft version). I use the "hard" version and it still is my softest soap around. Excellent performance and very friendly to your skin: never hard to find a new AD with stuff like this!

[guitarslinger]

pretty sure it's the duro

[kicker245]

i freaking love p.160, but how do I know whether I have the hard or soft version? The samples sent to me are a putty-like consistency but still really soft?:confused:

[guitarslinger]

i freaking love p.160, but how do I know whether I have the hard or soft version? The samples sent to me are a putty-like consistency but still really soft?:confused:

I guess the softer version is like cream cheese in a microwave.

if you bought a sample from superlather, you probably have the harder stuff.

[Dharion]

Just for better understanding: Is every shaving soap which has not been tripple milled soft as in your terms? Then I'm joining the club - Palmolive is soft yet a well performer.

[kicker245]

I guess the softer version is like cream cheese in a microwave.

if you bought a sample from superlather, you probably have the harder stuff.

i actually bought a bunch of samples from TSD, but I think they're the hard stuff as well. Its putty-like but I could easily mold it into the bowl I put it all in.

[talibeard]

pretty sure it's the duro


i freaking love p.160, but how do I know whether I have the hard or soft version? The samples sent to me are a putty-like consistency but still really soft?:confused:

I guess you didn't go for the 1 kilo package since it says what version it is on the box. I don't know if this duro version is triple milled but it is certainly softer (but not by too much) then the ARKO sticks which was my softest hard soap till I came across the P.160. Maybe contact your vendor when you don't know what you have. I guess the soft version is more like wet clay and the hard version is like clay partially dried. Not that this will help out very much I am afraid but since I own the duro stuff and only took a glance on the morbido version it is kind of hard to describe the difference.

[sanpaku]

i'd be happy to join the club but my valobra menthol is too drying right now. however, p160 tipo is simply amazing despite the fact that it too is a surfactant...

[Zanzibarstar]

I'd like to get in on this club! I've used Valobra Almond for the past three shaves and love it! As I'm just getting back into wetshaving, I've only tried a handful of other soaps(C+E Nomad and Sienna, Pre de Provence), and creams(L'Occitane, Tom's of Maine, Pre de Provence) so far, but Valobra is definitely my favorite. I get a great lather from it, is has a nice, fairly mellow almond scent, and doesn't irritate my face like some of the other stuff I have.

I don't know much about soaps yet, like the difference(or similarity?) of triple milled, glycerin, tallow, castille, and any other varieties. If any of you have a link to another thread that talks about this I'd be much obliged. :001_smile

[guitarslinger]

Just for better understanding: Is every shaving soap which has not been tripple milled soft as in your terms? .

Not at all.

Many of those are called cold process or glycerin, or whatever.

I'm talking about stuff that is literally like silly putty, but you still use it like soap.

[JimR]

I'm down with the soft soaps. Been Using Cella lately, and man, that is a good soap. the smell, the feel, the lather....love it!

[blade08]

I'm down with the soft soaps. Been Using Cella lately, and man, that is a good soap. the smell, the feel, the lather....love it!

+1 Cella is excellent stuff.

[patroclo7]

I subscribe to the club. Cella is nice and incredibly cheap (11 € for 1 kg here in Italy). P160 is even cheaper (6 € for 1 kg). Valobra is much more expensive and I got an inferior shave from it.

[john.crissman]

You can put me in. I really like Valobra and Cella.

[guitarslinger]

I subscribe to the club. Cella is nice and incredibly cheap (11 € for 1 kg here in Italy). P160 is even cheaper (6 € for 1 kg). Valobra is much more expensive and I got an inferior shave from it.

Agree.

Valobra soft soaps are definitely 3rd in line to the P160 and Cella:wink:

[cvac]

Has anyone tried "Fitness" or "Figaro" soft soap? If so, how good do you think those are?

I have Valobra almond. Love the smell, but haven't mastered using it yet. Last time I tried it wound up with a poor shave.

[patroclo7]

Figaro soft soap should be P160 soft. Actually here in Italy it is somewhere called Figaro P160 Morbido.

Among Cella and P160, an advantage of Cella is that you can buy also a small tube of 150g (2 € here). An advantage of P160 is that it can be conserved for a much longer time without damages (but I only read about problems in maintaining the Cella for a long period, my bar lasted 1 year and half without any issue).

[Ferannia]

It seems soft soaps are Italian speciality. Valobra, Cella, Proraso, someone mentioned Fitness soft soap, and now there is P160... There must be a reason why Italian manufactorers are soft-soap oriented. Are there Italian hard shaving soaps ?

[cvac]

Went ahead and ordered the Fitness. It'll probably take a couple weeks to show up b/c I ordered from an overseas vendor, but I'll be sure to post a review when I get a chance to try it b/c there are no reviews at the moment.

The Proraso soft soap with aloe in the white tub is also on my list to try at some point.

[classicshave]

Figaro soft soap should be P160 soft. Actually here in Italy it is somewhere called Figaro P160 Morbido.

Among Cella and P160, an advantage of Cella is that you can buy also a small tube of 150g (2 € here). An advantage of P160 is that it can be conserved for a much longer time without damages (but I only read about problems in maintaining the Cella for a long period, my bar lasted 1 year and half without any issue).

Where in Italia are you picking these fine products up? I will be in Emilia e Toscana in April and may have to stock up....are they sold in specialty shops, farmacias, etc.? Grazie!!

[patroclo7]

P160 duro and morbido in the professional bar of 1kg can be found in professional shops for barbers. Cella (both 150g and 1 kg) can be found in the small shops called "Drogheria". Figaro soft soap is a more common product and can be found also in big supermarkets.

[classicshave]

Got it. Grazie. Is there any danger of these soft soaps drying out and hardening over time, seeing as they are avaiable in bricks?

[paydepst]

Not if you keep them wrapped or better still sealed in a ziploc bag after opening.

P160 duro is what I usually sell. I got a brick of the morbido one time and that stuff is too soft. Almost impossible to cut down into briquettes.

[bthomasb]

I love soft soaps (and hard creams, e.g. Acqua di Parma, Castle Forbes, and even Tabac cream to an extent)

But their fragrances are so boring to me. Mostly almond or even duller.

Are their any soft soaps with interesting scents?

I mean like soft-soft. So, AOS sandalwood smells nice and is somewhat soft, but doesn't count. Along the lines of Valobra and Cella

[arghblech]

I recently bought 100g each of Cella, p160 duro, and p160 morbido. So far the morbido is my fave. Lather just bursts forth! My only complaint is that I'm not an almond fan. None of these are bad but so far the morbido is really interesting.

Does anyone know a vendor that sells the morbido bricks? Every site that I see selling p160 is selling duro.

[joshmpdx]

I love soft soaps (and hard creams, e.g. Acqua di Parma, Castle Forbes, and even Tabac cream to an extent)

But their fragrances are so boring to me. Mostly almond or even duller.

Are their any soft soaps with interesting scents?

I mean like soft-soft. So, AOS sandalwood smells nice and is somewhat soft, but doesn't count. Along the lines of Valobra and Cella

i'd think Olivia's Crema would fit into this category pretty well, and her scents are lovely and strong.

[talibeard]

I recently bought 100g each of Cella, p160 duro, and p160 morbido. So far the morbido is my fave. Lather just bursts forth! My only complaint is that I'm not an almond fan. None of these are bad but so far the morbido is really interesting.

Does anyone know a vendor that sells the morbido bricks? Every site that I see selling p160 is selling duro.

I know the Dutch Shaving Shop sells it;

http://www.winkelplein.nu/barbershopsuply/default.asp?page=detail&Id=1539650&sid=Qu0qxiWSpGLFNy1e5RNzpUCfTT27xO

[paydepst]

I recently bought 100g each of Cella, p160 duro, and p160 morbido. So far the morbido is my fave. Lather just bursts forth! My only complaint is that I'm not an almond fan. None of these are bad but so far the morbido is really interesting.

Does anyone know a vendor that sells the morbido bricks? Every site that I see selling p160 is selling duro.

Yes I can get it but I don't stock it regularly as it is a bit of a pain to cut into briquettes.

[arghblech]

Yes I can get it but I don't stock it regularly as it is a bit of a pain to cut into briquettes.

I'd be buying the whole brick.

[guitarslinger]

I'd be buying the whole brick.

My thoughts exactly!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[cymric]

After a favourable initial shave with P.160, I'm very much tempted to drive down to the Dutch Shaving Shop and get me a kilo of the stuff. I know my SO approves of the idea: the scent is nice, and the value is unbeatable.

[talibeard]

After a favourable initial shave with P.160, I'm very much tempted to drive down to the Dutch Shaving Shop and get me a kilo of the stuff. I know my SO approves of the idea: the scent is nice, and the value is unbeatable.

So why don't you. Just take care; this place is a little shaving nirvana and you might end up with with buying a lot of stuff that you never thought you needed!

[cymric]

I visited it quite a few times already; I've learned to control my urges :). And, to be more precise, I was thinking more about whether P.160 was worth the trip rather than going just for visiting the store.

[cymric]

I'm beginning to sour on P.160---much to my regret, as the scent is heavenly and I would have loved to put it in general rotation. The lather always bites gently on the 3rd pass of the shave, meaning that there's something in it which causes irritation, albeit in a minor way. But much more damaging is the fact that over time, the lather begins to disappear and evaporate. Today I was shaving with my glasses on, and the 3rd pass-lather was just melting away from my face. It doesn't matter whether I use a concentrated or diluted lather, it just doesn't appear to be stable for longer periods of time. And that is annoying, because I'm a bowl latherer, and require that particular trait from my soap or cream.

Cella in the red tub was the better shaving product, but I dislike its scent.

[patroclo7]

Sinilar experience with the P160, although I am a face latherer: the fourth pass is problematic. The Cella is simply perfect my skin, the most cushioning and protective soap I have ever used; I did not try, but my impression is that I could have ten passes without problems. And I am so lucky to love its mild scent :) So actually I haven't any more a rotation, I use Cella exclusively.

[arghblech]

I haven't experienced the lather fading on later passes. Mine seems to be golden even after 4 and a touch-up pass.

[talibeard]

I'm beginning to sour on P.160---much to my regret, as the scent is heavenly and I would have loved to put it in general rotation. The lather always bites gently on the 3rd pass of the shave, meaning that there's something in it which causes irritation, albeit in a minor way. But much more damaging is the fact that over time, the lather begins to disappear and evaporate. Today I was shaving with my glasses on, and the 3rd pass-lather was just melting away from my face. It doesn't matter whether I use a concentrated or diluted lather, it just doesn't appear to be stable for longer periods of time. And that is annoying, because I'm a bowl latherer, and require that particular trait from my soap or cream.

Cella in the red tub was the better shaving product, but I dislike its scent.

That is a pitty and a problem I don't have with the P.160.
Usually I am lathering partly in a bowl and partly on my face.The only thing I do for 2nd /3rd pass is adding a little hot water on my brush, just drops really.
The lather is not as slick and creamy as Tabac or Arko but it makes the blade glide like no other. I do load my brush with a lot of soap though; more than with Tabac for sure!
Good luck with it and don't give up yet,

Harrie

[cymric]

That's indeed a good point, because there is so little to stabilise the lather in P.160. Glycerin---which is nearly a staple elsewhere---is not listed in the ingredients. Though it doesn't explain why I didn't notice it with Cella then... Oh well. I'll try rebuilding with a bit of extra water before the 3rd pass the next time.

Still, it won't affect the gentle bite the soap seems to develop :frown:.

[cymric]

By the way, I am using the morbido version of P.160---could it perhaps be that duro solves the issue? What are you guys using?

[talibeard]

By the way, I am using the morbido version of P.160---could it perhaps be that duro solves the issue? What are you guys using?

All I use is the DURO version. I have no issue with a bite either; the P.160 is one of the most skin friendly soaps I ever used. So for me it stands even above Tabac which does dry my skin a little, certainly if I go for 3+ passes.
It does require some more work though lathering up and the soap/water ratio is more important to get right.

[pizzaguy]

Hi I would like to know if anyone put their P.160 in a mug like an old spice mug and if so is it ok uncovered

Thanks
Jaime

[talibeard]

Hi I would like to know if anyone put their P.160 in a mug like an old spice mug and if so is it ok uncovered

Thanks
Jaime

I grated it into a little mug that I place upside down in a lathering bowl. Let it dry after use for a little while first.
Uncovered works too but the soap will collect a lot of dust so maybe that is not 1st choice.

Harrie

[arghblech]

By the way, I am using the morbido version of P.160---could it perhaps be that duro solves the issue? What are you guys using?

I am using both morbido and duro. I prefer the morbido but not by much.

[arghblech]

I grated it into a little mug that I place upside down in a lathering bowl. Let it dry after use for a little while first.
Uncovered works too but the soap will collect a lot of dust so maybe that is not 1st choice.

Harrie

You actually bothered to grate it? :tongue_sm I just mashed mine into a container with my thumb.

[talibeard]

You actually bothered to grate it? :tongue_sm I just mashed mine into a container with my thumb.

And miss all the fun of using a grater?? But it can be done without that is true. The main advantage of grating however is that your soap will get more contact-surface; it loads really much better on your brush afterwards.
And I am a lazy latherer after all.:biggrin:

[pizzaguy]

thanks I have an old spice mug I'm going to to use

[Leon]

I don't have Cella, I only have Valobra and P160, can I join too? :tongue:

Great soft soaps indeed. The smell of the P160 makes me want to eat it! :eek:

[cymric]

Today was my last shave with P.160 morbido. I got the hang of making the lather so the problem of evaporation was finally solved---as usual, too little soap in the mix, with P.160 it's hard to tell because the lather is so thick---but the stuff began to bite quite painfully on my upper lip, even extending to my cheeks. Now, an hour or so later, the itching on my neck has also subsided at last. Since most of the ingredients are really nothing special, I am forced to conclude that what draws me to P.160, namely the sweet almond scent, is also driving me away from it. I couldn't handle Col. Conk either, and that smells just as sweet. Cella contains just a smidgen of almond scent, not even enough to cover the soapy smell, and that is not enough to make me feel any irritation.

Thanks to a fellow B&B'ian I got a small sample of the duro which I will dutifully put through its paces, but I have a grim suspicion that given the similarity between ingredients I won't be able to tolerate this soap as well. But first I'm returning to some old favorites known to be free of problems to let the skin relax for a while.

[cymric]

Tried the P.160 duro today---much to my regret, it caused similar problems. I felt it tingling when applying on the third pass and decided not to push it: I rinsed off my face and used another product to complete the shave. There is something in P.160 (I strongly suspect it's simply the sweet almond fragrance, i.e. benzaldehyde and benzyl alchohol, because there is nothing else) which does not agree with my skin. So that means I will have to pass over P.160, and probably stay clear from anything that has a strong sweet almond fragrance in the future.

[pizzaguy]

It does not agree with me either


Tried the P.160 duro today---much to my regret, it caused similar problems. I felt it tingling when applying on the third pass and decided not to push it: I rinsed off my face and used another product to complete the shave. There is something in P.160 (I strongly suspect it's simply the sweet almond fragrance, i.e. benzaldehyde and benzyl alchohol, because there is nothing else) which does not agree with my skin. So that means I will have to pass over P.160, and probably stay clear from anything that has a strong sweet almond fragrance in the future.