Scent versus performance?

[kbuzbee]

So I know some soaps focus on their scent (Pen. and Creed come to mind though I actually own neither) others have little to none but are frequently regarded as good performers (MWF?) but my question is, where do you fall in your decision making? Would you give up scent for a better performing soap? Or (if you had to) would you give up a touch of performance for a nice scent?

The thing that spurred this question was my recent switch from Floris (good performance but I love the scent) to MWF (nothing permanent, just normal rotation) I find I'm really missing the scent... A lot. I didn't realize the scent meant so much to me, after all, it's pretty subtle and does last after the shave or anything, but I makes my shave a nicer experience.

Your thoughts?

Ken

[GreekGuy]

There are far too many good soaps to not have both. I've recently fallen in love with Klar Kabinnett. Check out my review for more info. But there are plenty of others. Cade, AoS, among many. Creed, Floris, and Pen may have good scents, but their soaps are generally regarded as not nearly as high performing. I'll stick to creams in that case. But I don't own MWF, because scent is a huge part of the pleasure for me. So theres no reason to not have scent and performance where there are plenty of great soaps with both

[gaj90027]

There are far too many good soaps to not have both. I've recently fallen in love with Klar Kabinnett. Check out my review for more info. But there are plenty of others. Cade, AoS, among many. Creed, Floris, and Pen may have good scents, but their soaps are generally regarded as not nearly as high performing. I'll stick to creams in that case. But I don't own MWF, because scent is a huge part of the pleasure for me. So theres no reason to not have scent and performance where there are plenty of great soaps with both

+1 to everything said, don't settle for one or the other, far too many great options.

[scoopster]

+2 - A soap has gotta have good performance AND scent or I don't bother with it. There are too many viable options out there that meet both criteria.

[kbuzbee]

So what I'm hearing is "no"....?

Yes, I understand there are plenty of good soaps that meet both criteria to varying degrees. My question was more hypothetical than real world, I suppose. Like in the initial question ( which brought this whole thing up)... Maybe (maybe....) MWF is a better performer, but I miss the scent from the Floris too much.... MWF is going back in the cabinet tomorrow.... Probably gonna grab an AOS out for a bit.... Maybe the Lavendar w/ Thayers Lavendar... Hmmmm

Currently have 14 different soaps open and going. At this rate, I may never actually "finish" any of them (note to self... Gotta get a Sea Buckthorn to try )

Thanks for the input...

Ken

[Optometrist]

There are many good performers with a scent to like as well. Who said you can't have your cake and eat it?

David

[Bestarrkin]

Great question but there is no general answer. But I think good scented less performer soaps are guinea pigs for lather learners. You can test and improve your skills for how to make better lather. When I use MWF, Tabac or Arko I have not to pay any effort to improve my style. IMHO last months Cade challenge has changed my point of view to good scented soaps.

BTW gents, you made me to buy a Klar Kabinett SS asap

[kingfisher]

Agree with the others. Go for both.

Try Czech and Speake Oxford and Cambridge.

[gaj90027]

Up until 4 or 5 months ago I had a dozen or more soaps myself. When I really looked at which ones I liked for scent and performance I was able to narrow it down to 3 keepers (Tabac, Irisch Moos & Cade). I still have a bunch of soaps I want to try but it was quite liberating to simplify a little. I now know that each new soap will have to impress on both levels or it will get dismissed.

Creams are next on my list to cut back on and aftershaves are probably a lost cause, I still have at least a dozen aftershaves

[kg4ghn]

I go for performance over scent.

I love the various scents as well, but if the performance isn't there I'm not going to use it.

I mean, Arko is one of my favorite soaps...

[GreekGuy]

BTW gents, you made me to buy a Klar Kabinett SS asap

Klar Kabinett is amazing. Really, leaps and bounds above cade and AoS/Valbora/C&S....and I love those! You won't be dissappointed

[Munxcub]

Agree with the others. Go for both.

Try Czech and Speake Oxford and Cambridge.

I am loving this Cologne right now, will most likely grab a puck when I order a bottle.

[HoosierTrooper]

Performance is everything for me, nice scent is just a bonus. A pretty smelling, but crappy performing soap is just a crappy performing soap that smells pretty. Vintage Williams has basically no scent at all, but performance wise is top notch.

[mdunn]

it has to be a good performer, then I will look at scent. but always performance trumps smell.

im so glad my tallow pens BB has both

[kbuzbee]

im so glad my tallow pens BB has both

Yeah, really kinda wished I'd bought a few of those.... Oh well...

Ken

[mmack66]

i go for performance over scent.

I love the various scents as well, but if the performance isn't there i'm not going to use it.

+1

[npsarros]

Good smell is a bonus, bad smell and good performance puts Arko on the bench until it get de-Stunk

[markb]

Would you give up scent for a better performing soap?

Always. Performance > scent IMO.

[drumana]

I choose performance over scent. That being said, if I don't like the scent I won't use the soap no matter how well it performs (example: Arko).

[DunEdinRanger]

I choose performance over scent. That being said, if I don't like the scent I won't use the soap no matter how well it performs (example: Arko).

I love a great scent, but I also love MWF and TABAC.