Crabtree & Evelyn anyone?

[GreekGuy]

I use a slightly dry brush, but most of my brushes are larger and tend to hold water.

Excuse the poor photos, but the first one shows the quality of the lather. The second is my CH2 best after 2 passes. Works very well for me

[cvac]

GreekGuy, do you prefer a watery lather? That would be a bit bubbly and watery for me. I've meant to buy a puck of Sienna but I just have too many other soaps and creams to handle right now. I used to have some small pucks of C&E Sweet Almond Oil...that was a good soap, but I found others that worked a bit better in terms of protection and post-shave feel. Another reason why I'm loathe to try the Sienna now. Still, I could make a decently thick lather with the SAO. The Sienna cream was also quite nice when I tried it, but seems like it's not widely stocked anymore...

[GreekGuy]

GreekGuy, do you prefer a watery lather? That would be a bit bubbly and watery for me. I've meant to buy a puck of Sienna but I just have too many other soaps and creams to handle right now. I used to have some small pucks of C&E Sweet Almond Oil...that was a good soap, but I found others that worked a bit better in terms of protection and post-shave feel. Another reason why I'm loathe to try the Sienna now. Still, I could make a decently thick lather with the SAO. The Sienna cream was also quite nice when I tried it, but seems like it's not widely stocked anymore...

They discontinued the Sienna cream I believe, at least in the states. It's possible its being reformulated or something, but I'm pretty sure its gone.

Also, I do prefer a "wetter" lather. I straight shave most of the time and I find it works a little bit better than having a thicker lather. In my experience, and not everyone will agree with this, the thicker the lather the more likely it is to dry out. When using a straight the last thing you want is dry lather on your face. It makes for a very painful experience

I loaded for maybe 30 seconds or so, and with the Chubby 2 that isn't really that long as its one big brush. I find these english soaps (and trumpers, floris, etc) need a bit more loading than for the french and german soaps. But in any case it is definitely possible to make a thicker lather if you would like. I took these photos during my shave. I think its best to show examples "in action" so to speak

I've always wanted to try the SAO. I heard it was very good, shame they discontinued it

[Catalin]

I shaved with C&E Sandalwood for years, as I liked the scent. Then I discovered B&B. The goalposts moved and I discovered a whole world of soaps. After trying MWF, AOS, Valobra, Cella, etc., I realized the lather from C&E was not up to my top-shelf soaps. I still like the C&E sandalwood soap scent, but will never go back to it....

[cvac]

Too bad about the Sienna cream.

RE: wetter lather for a straight, I've heard that too. And yeah, my trial run with a straight didn't go so hot because I took forever with it and my lather dried out. But I think asking any lather to not dry out for a 40 minute shave is asking a lot. Now, I like to use a fair amount of water and a fair amount of soap and get great glide and no drying out usually. But I'm using a DE and shave in under 15 minutes with it. Since my straight skills are extremely rudimentary, it takes a lot longer to shave. Next time I try one of my straights, I'm going to lather in a scuttle and use cream with lots of water, then lather my face one section at a time.

And yes, 30 seconds isn't that long when using a fat, super dense brush like the chubby or Rooney 2XL and such.

They discontinued the Sienna cream I believe, at least in the states. It's possible its being reformulated or something, but I'm pretty sure its gone.

Also, I do prefer a "wetter" lather. I straight shave most of the time and I find it works a little bit better than having a thicker lather. In my experience, and not everyone will agree with this, the thicker the lather the more likely it is to dry out. When using a straight the last thing you want is dry lather on your face. It makes for a very painful experience

I loaded for maybe 30 seconds or so, and with the Chubby 2 that isn't really that long as its one big brush. I find these english soaps (and trumpers, floris, etc) need a bit more loading than for the french and german soaps. But in any case it is definitely possible to make a thicker lather if you would like. I took these photos during my shave. I think its best to show examples "in action" so to speak

I've always wanted to try the SAO. I heard it was very good, shame they discontinued it

[LeftyT]

I just picked up the Nomad and it has an unbelievable scent! I love it. The performance is very reasonably good, but it seems to be a soap you have to learn. I soak it with hot water for a couple mins, build up the lather and go to my face and work more water in there.
It's pretty nice and "fluffy", but I find it lacks in the slickness department. I have though of pairing it with MWF. In fact, it'll happen.

[GreekGuy]

I just picked up the Nomad and it has an unbelievable scent! I love it. The performance is very reasonably good, but it seems to be a soap you have to learn. I soak it with hot water for a couple mins, build up the lather and go to my face and work more water in there.
It's pretty nice and "fluffy", but I find it lacks in the slickness department. I have though of pairing it with MWF. In fact, it'll happen.

It takes a bit of working like all UK soaps (IMHO). Just work it a little more to make the lather less fluffy. I know when you attack it with a wet brush you instantly get fluffy foamy lather. That is no good, you don't want that. Keep going and you'll be rewarded

[LeftyT]

I'll keep at it, as I love the scent. Thanks or the tip :)

[GreekGuy]

I'll keep at it, as I love the scent. Thanks or the tip :)

You're welcome. I really love the Nomad and Sienna so at first I was disappointed. I stuck with it and have since gotten many great lathers. I'm happy to help others figure out this great smelling soap :)

[Saltchuck]

... after an overwhelming vote for the nomad from the ladies I bite....

I'd like to know more about those ladies that you bite.

[LeftyT]

I'd like to know more about those ladies that you bite.

Hahaha. It does seem to be a scent that ladies love. My wife likes it so much that she bought me the EDT. when I use the soap, she jokes that just cuz I I smell good doesn't mean I'm "getting any". Hahaha

[Shadowsforbars]

I seem to recall reading that the English maker went bust about 6 months ago with the loss of many jobs. I would be interested to learn if they have a new manufacturer.

[LeftyT]

I tried my C&E Nomad soap again, tonight. I soaked the soap for about 10 minutes in warm water, an gently went at it with my wet Wee Scot. I loaded it up for about 45-60 seconds and went straight to the face. Surprisingly, it gave me a great slick lather. My razor felt quick and light across my face, and I managed 2 and a half passes worth of lather in my brush.
I did end up with some pretty good burning feeling, but minor redness. Once I applied Arko Cool AS (which stung like hell) and then followed it up with moisturizer, my face started feeling pretty good. I got a great, smooth shave, but I can still feel a tingle. We'll see how this turns out in the morning!
All in all, it felt like a success. Maybe I just pushed too many passes. Who knows....

[GreekGuy]

I tried my C&E Nomad soap again, tonight. I soaked the soap for about 10 minutes in warm water, an gently went at it with my wet Wee Scot. I loaded it up for about 45-60 seconds and went straight to the face. Surprisingly, it gave me a great slick lather. My razor felt quick and light across my face, and I managed 2 and a half passes worth of lather in my brush.
I did end up with some pretty good burning feeling, but minor redness. Once I applied Arko Cool AS (which stung like hell) and then followed it up with moisturizer, my face started feeling pretty good. I got a great, smooth shave, but I can still feel a tingle. We'll see how this turns out in the morning!
All in all, it felt like a success. Maybe I just pushed too many passes. Who knows....

Try lathering with just the soap on your face. If you get irritation, its the soap causing it. If it doesn't cause any irritation, then its your shave

[oc_in_fw]

I have the Sandlewood and like it. I may shave with it tomorrow. Scratch that, weekends are for Arlington. I guess the C&E is in the warm up circle.

[timebomb]

I realized there was a C&E at the mall and went in to take a wiff. Does anyone else think that the sandalwood smells like Aqua Velva? I use Aqua Velva aftershave and to me it smells pretty close.

[Bayamontate]

I have the sandalwood, nomad, sienna and the discontinued sweet almond oil, all excellent.

[syngent]

this is sienna soap forbanyone interested.... works for me

[jd1585]

I like their soaps and prefer Sienna. No problems with the lather and get smooth comfortable shaves.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...ree+and+evelyn

I am having trouble finding the Sienna is it discontinued?

[GreekGuy]

I am having trouble finding the Sienna is it discontinued?

How so? It's readily available online and my store has it in stock too.

We wouldn't want to start a panic now, would we?