Reviews of out-of-production shaving soaps wanted?

**bythbook** · 02-06-2010, 09:26 AM

We throw around the term "vintage" quite often in this hobby - vintage blades, razors, soaps....

Here's a nice definition (second def from Mirriam-Webster online):

of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality

what catches my eye here is the "enduring interest, importance, or quality" aspect. Penhaligon's tallow-first English Fern and Blenheim Bouquet soaps (and BB tallow-5 as well) easily meet this definition - and because they are produced no more, "vintage Pen's shaving soap" will be understood by all here to be the tallow product, even though "old" is a relative term. There's "old Pen's" and "now Pen's," isn't there?

Vintage Williams is different from new Williams; old Colgate from the new (and no-more) stuff.

For what it's worth, I'm just wrapping up an old-soap buying spree - paying too much for too many, I think (but how else will I get 'em?). I'm stocking up - retirement approaches and I'll have plenty of time to lather, but less $$ to acquire stuff....

My question to fellow shaving soap fiends: Does anyone want to see reviews of soaps that aren't readily available anymore? Will anyone care? I've come across some pretty obscure soaps, too (my thanks to Jim for the Corvette's and Morning Pep, to BobK1 for a puck of old Colgate in wax-paper). Does anyone other than I care how Whisk-Off performs? How about Roger & Gallet L'Homme? (How about... Houbigant Fougere Royale?)

If there is any interest in my opinions on obscure shaving soap, I will try to hone my reviewing skills and report on the old stuff as I try it out. (HONE my skills, get it????)

Oh, yeah. I'm still looking... you could PM me if you have any interesting prospects you'd consider parting with!

**cfriend** · 02-06-2010, 09:33 AM

I'd read them. I'd resent you for them, but I'd read them.

**bythbook** · 02-06-2010, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by cfriend

I'd read them. I'd resent you for them, but I'd read them.

well.

if there's resentment guaranteed, I guess I'll have to use 'em & just let you know what I think, won't I?

**Evbo** · 02-06-2010, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by bythbook

well.

if there's resentment guaranteed, I guess I'll have to use 'em & just let you know what I think, won't I?

That goes double for me. I have some vintage soaps I haven't yet touched. I could use some more resentment, too.

**Antique Hoosier** · 02-06-2010, 11:20 AM

It would be delightful Jon....... Please review all 50

**bythbook** · 02-06-2010, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Evbo

That goes double for me. I have some vintage soaps I haven't yet touched. I could use some more resentment, too.

Are you gonna review yours as you try them, Evan?

(I love the smell of resentment in the morning....)

**bythbook** · 02-06-2010, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Antique Hoosier

It would be delightful Jon....... Please review all 50

Fifty! Mike you... exaggerate....

**tlanning** · 02-06-2010, 02:20 PM

I would enjoy reading them. I have a stock of "NO LONGER" tallow first soaps which I began using the first of this year.

You can't live forever and after looking at them for ages not using but "saving" it would really P@!# me off if when cleaning up after my death they got pitched that would most probably be grounds for ending up in "shavers hell"

**bythbook** · 02-06-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by tlanning

I would enjoy reading them. I have a stock of "NO LONGER" tallow first soaps which I began using the first of this year.

You can't live forever and after looking at them for ages not using but "saving" it would really P@!# me off if when cleaning up after my death they got pitched that would most probably be grounds for ending up in "shavers hell"

My thoughts exactly!

what flavors have you hoarded?

**ctakim** · 02-06-2010, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by tlanning

I would enjoy reading them. I have a stock of "NO LONGER" tallow first soaps which I began using the first of this year.

You can't live forever and after looking at them for ages not using but "saving" it would really P@!# me off if when cleaning up after my death they got pitched that would most probably be grounds for ending up in "shavers hell"

Hmm, I should rewrite my will to send off all my razor stuff to a B&B member for sale, auction or PIFing. I have no male children, but maybe someday I'll have a grandson. But even if I did will he appreciate a vintage Gillette?

**bythbook** · 02-06-2010, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by ctakim

Hmm, I should rewrite my will to send off all my razor stuff to a B&B member for sale, auction or PIFing. I have no male children, but maybe someday I'll have a grandson. But even if I did will he appreciate a vintage Gillette?

imagine all of your stuff going for 25 cents apiece at a yard sale....