Please Recommend a Soap

**Gatsby** · 08-02-2010, 05:50 AM

I've been DE shaving for a year and half.
Besides Valobra, I've only used creams (Proraso, Spieck, TOBS St. James & Almond, and AOS Sandalwood).

I'm going to make the jump into soaps.

What soap should be my first?

Are the TOBS soaps comparable in quality to their creams?

I'm using an EJ BBB brush.

Thank you.

**SpyvSpy** · 08-02-2010, 06:10 AM

Why not give MWF or Tabac a try? SCS has great soaps for good prices as well as mama bear soaps.

**Crisp** · 08-02-2010, 06:43 AM

I recommend MWF. Col. Conk Bay Rhum was my first. I couldn't get a lasting lather to save my life. MWF is like falling off a log.

**Gatsby** · 08-02-2010, 07:38 AM

Thank you for the replies.

I've been researching all morning.
Right now, it's between MWF, Tabac, and something from D.R. Harris or Trumper's.

MWF is the front-runner. I'm worried, however, as to how my skin will react to the Lanolin.
Tabac: the consensus is that is performs well, but I've heard less than stellar things about the smell. What does Tabac smell like?

Does D.R. Harris or Trumper's make a "must try" soap?

**Mike Schutz** · 08-02-2010, 07:45 AM

Tabac reminds me of the smell of the old taverns I grew up in in Milwaukee. (My father played slow pitch softball). It's one of those smells you really learn to appreciate. Great stuff

**itsjustjim** · 08-02-2010, 07:51 AM

What about Momma Bear? Ye Olde Barbershoppe is good? Tabac is good too.

**Gatsby** · 08-02-2010, 07:55 AM

@Mike

Wayne: So, do you come to Milwaukee often?
Alice Cooper: Well, I'm a regular visitor here, but Milwaukee has certainly had its share of visitors. The French missionaries and explorers began visiting here in the late 16th century.
Pete: Hey, isn't "Milwaukee" an Indian name?
Alice Cooper: Yes, Pete, it is. In fact , it's pronounced "mill-e-wah-que" which is Algonquin for "the good land."
Wayne: I was not aware of that.

Thanks all. I'm going to play it safe and go with Tabac.

**johsa** · 08-02-2010, 08:48 AM

MWF, AOS Sandalwood plus Proraso should set you up!

**john parker** · 08-02-2010, 08:59 AM

I just started using soaps, and have D.R. Harris lavender and GFT rose. Like them both. But with just starting with soaps, am amazed at how easy it is to get a really nice lather with the GFT rose. Not the the Harris is difficult (and I love the aroma), but the GFT seems to take no time at all.

**Angus Young** · 08-02-2010, 10:56 AM

MWF with the ceramic bowl. If for some strange reason you don't like it you can just get a refill puck of something else to put in the bowl and you still have the coolest thing in shaving sitting in your bathroom. Tabac smells like the nineteen seventies.

**HokieGeek** · 08-02-2010, 11:57 AM

If you're looking for affordable but excellently performing soap, you can't go wrong with Mama Bear!

MWF is pretty excellent too

**OmegaEdge** · 08-02-2010, 12:01 PM

Honestly you can't go wrong with Lothantique. The soap is triple milled and is an excellent performer. You got to try it!

**OmegaEdge** · 08-02-2010, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by john parker

I just started using soaps, and have D.R. Harris lavender and GFT rose. Like them both. But with just starting with soaps, am amazed at how easy it is to get a really nice lather with the GFT rose. Not the the Harris is difficult (and I love the aroma), but the GFT seems to take no time at all.

Try putting a tablespoon of hot water on the soap puck and letting it sit while you shower. Then give it a whirl.

**Ruger Packer** · 08-02-2010, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by HokieGeek

If you're looking for affordable but excellently performing soap, you can't go wrong with Mama Bear!

+1 I was very impressed with MB.

**miamimoe** · 08-02-2010, 01:34 PM

+1 on SCS soaps. I have two of them, and they are everything I could ask for in a shaving soap, and I have others that are more expensive. SCS easily compares to any name brand out there.

**kwsher** · 08-02-2010, 01:37 PM

I just received some MWF over the weekend and will give it a run this week. Have been using Tabac and it is a great performer but for me personally I don't care for the aroma.

Having said that, it's like a car wreck. I don't like it but I can't seem to turn away either and it does really offer a great shave. I haven't tried Irisch Moos but can't help thinking that this may be the flavor for me.

**andrew98** · 08-02-2010, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Gatsby

Thank you for the replies.

I've been researching all morning.
Right now, it's between MWF, Tabac, and something from D.R. Harris or Trumper's.

MWF is the front-runner. I'm worried, however, as to how my skin will react to the Lanolin.
Tabac: the consensus is that is performs well, but I've heard less than stellar things about the smell. What does Tabac smell like?

Does D.R. Harris or Trumper's make a "must try" soap?

Tabac reeks. YMMV, for sure on this one.

MWF is great, and a lot of folks like it. If you don't jive with the lanolin, it's easy to sell on the b/s/t.

Harris Arlington is amazing and Trumper's Lime or Rose would be excellent choices.

Take a pass on the TOBS soaps.

Definitely try Provence Sante Green Tea. That's easily my favorite french shaving soap. Westcoastshaving.com sells it ($10).

-Andy

**cegadede** · 08-02-2010, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Gatsby

Thank you for the replies.

Tabac: the consensus is that is performs well, but I've heard less than stellar things about the smell. What does Tabac smell like?

It smells like flowers and, despite the name, doesn't smell like tobacco at all.

**Schwert** · 08-02-2010, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Gatsby

Thank you for the replies.

I've been researching all morning.
Right now, it's between MWF, Tabac, and something from D.R. Harris or Trumper's.

MWF is the front-runner. I'm worried, however, as to how my skin will react to the Lanolin.
Tabac: the consensus is that is performs well, but I've heard less than stellar things about the smell. What does Tabac smell like?

Does D.R. Harris or Trumper's make a "must try" soap?

Tabac smells like a funeral home.....skip it.

MWF is a winner for sure as is Cella, but Tabac is god awful. Harris I do not find very impressive.