Truefitt & Hill Shaving Soap

**mpakosta** · 11-07-2007, 05:37 PM

I the five or so months since I have gone back to wet shaving, I've been using shaving soaps such as Classic Shavings house brand and Mama Bears soaps with decent results.

In going through the various posts (which I do at least once a day) I noticed various posts about triple milled soaps and how the members who use them expound on their superior lathering an lubricity benefits when compared to regular glycerin soaps. At that point, I had to try one for myself just to get an idea of what other members were talking about.

So, last week I ordered a tub of Truefitt & Hill Luxury soap form Vintage Blades in the wooden bowl. The soap came Tuesday and tried it first thing this morning. All I can say is WOW....what a noticeable difference in the lather that this soap produces. It was noticeably thicker and provided much more lubricity to my face when compared to the soaps I had been using before. I'm looking forward to tomorrow to start the process again!! While I like the Truefitt & Hill soap, I plan on picking up some Mitchell's Wool Fat soap so I have some comparisons to go by.

I would like to thank all the members of this forum fore the great advice for not only soaps but for all aspects of wet shaving!!!

**biomesh** · 11-07-2007, 05:40 PM

I love the scent of SSAD in the air...

Those are some excellent soaps, enjoy!

**desmoface** · 11-07-2007, 06:14 PM

You know, I've never tried a glycerine shave soap, but Momma Bears sure gets a lot of attention, it's one that I definitely want to sample some day.
One of my favorite shaves is with;

Steve

**Boogie** · 11-07-2007, 07:25 PM

I agree, I find the triple milled soaps to be superior in performance and life span. I've only been traditional wetshaving for just under a year. I started out very similar to you in that I got a bunch of glycerin soaps to use. They gave me better shaves then I ever got with the goo in a can, but once I tried a good triple milled soap, I was hooked. I just recently picked up a puck of Trumper's Rose, and while I'm not crazy about the scent, it has given me the best shaves I have ever had in my life. I also love the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap and I have a D.R. Harris Marlborough that is fantastic. At this point, I'm pretty sure that Trumper, Harris and Mitchell's will be the only soaps I need to use.

**OldSchoolYoungin** · 11-07-2007, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Boogie

I agree, I find the triple milled soaps to be superior in performance and life span. I've only been traditional wetshaving for just under a year. I started out very similar to you in that I got a bunch of glycerin soaps to use. They gave me better shaves then I ever got with the goo in a can, but once I tried a good triple milled soap, I was hooked. I just recently picked up a puck of Trumper's Rose, and while I'm not crazy about the scent, it has given me the best shaves I have ever had in my life. I also love the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap and I have a D.R. Harris Marlborough that is fantastic. At this point, I'm pretty sure that Trumper, Harris and Mitchell's will be the only soaps I need to use.

+1, triple-milled for me too. I also tried many glycerin soaps, mostly due to cost and "gotta have it" AD, but triple-milled is always superior in overall quality. From an economic stand-point, the triple-milled soaps are also a significantly better value when you calculate cost per shave. QED soaps will always be in my rotation, though.

**kbuzbee** · 11-08-2007, 04:54 AM

Originally Posted by mpakosta

While I like the Truefitt & Hill soap, I plan on picking up some Mitchell's Wool Fat soap so I have some comparisons to go by.

Triple milled are hands down my favorites as well. I get great shaves from all of them, but there are subtle differences. Currently my favorites are Institut Karite, AOS and Floris but there are a few

left to try.

Originally Posted by mpakosta

I would like to thank all the members of this forum fore the great advice for not only soaps but for all aspects of wet shaving!!!

Absolutely +1. This is a great place to learn and share your experiences. The most improtant thing I've learned here though is there is no "right" answer. It all comes down to what works best for you. That said, there is almost certainly someone here whose experience with something will be similar enough to yours to find common ground.

Enjoy!

Ken

**Cigar Dan** · 11-09-2007, 05:26 AM

Triple-milled soaps are definitely where it's at. I have 7 at the moment (an assortment of Trumper, Harris, Tabac, MWF, and Floris).

My family always says that I am hard to buy for, so I have already ordered 3 more for my kids to give to me at Christmas!

**desmoface** · 11-09-2007, 05:27 AM

Wow, you have quite a selection there..Tell us how they compare; Which is you favorite?

Steve

Originally Posted by Cigar Dan

Triple-milled soaps are definitely where it's at. I have 7 at the moment (an assortment of Trumper, Harris, Tabac, MWF, and Floris).

My family always says that I am hard to buy for, so I have already ordered 3 more for my kids to give to me at Christmas!

**Cigar Dan** · 11-09-2007, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by desmoface

Wow, you have quite a selection there..Tell us how they compare; Which is you favorite?

A while back, I sold off most of my creams and converted over to triple milled soaps. I bit the bullet and sprung for the wooden bowls, ceramic dishes, etc. for each of my soaps. The only creams that I kept are Trumper's Limes and Rose, and Nancy Boy Signature and Replenishing.

My current soap list is:
Trumper's Rose
Trumper's Limes
DR Harris Lavender
Floris Elite
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Tabac
T&H Luxury

My favorite at the moment is the Harris Lavender (but not by a large margin). I rotate them around, and rarely use one more than 2 days in a row.

The soaps that I'll be getting at Christmas are DR Harris Marlborough and Almond, and Trumper's Sandalwood.

Another thing that I liked about migrating to soaps is the fact that they don't have a limited shelf life.

**boboakalfb** · 11-09-2007, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Boogie

I agree, I find the triple milled soaps to be superior in performance and life span. I've only been traditional wetshaving for just under a year. I started out very similar to you in that I got a bunch of glycerin soaps to use. They gave me better shaves then I ever got with the goo in a can, but once I tried a good triple milled soap, I was hooked. I just recently picked up a puck of Trumper's Rose, and while I'm not crazy about the scent, it has given me the best shaves I have ever had in my life. I also love the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap and I have a D.R. Harris Marlborough that is fantastic. At this point, I'm pretty sure that Trumper, Harris and Mitchell's will be the only soaps I need to use.

They are definitely great soaps, but I wouldn't be too sure until you try Floris and Penhaligons. I think they are even a notch better than the ones you have mentioned.

**Cigar Dan** · 11-09-2007, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by boboakalfb

They are definitely great soaps, but I wouldn't be too sure until you try Floris and Penhaligons. I think they are even a notch better than the ones you have mentioned.

What is the best place to get Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet shaving soap (in bowl)? The cheapest I've seen it is $55. As much as I'd like to buy a bowl, I'm having trouble pulling the trigger on that. I know that I can buy a puck for $25, but since all my other soaps are in bowls, I'd like to be consistent. I really hate the idea of putting a super premium soap in a plastic container. That's just another of my idiosyncrasies.

**boboakalfb** · 11-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Cigar Dan

What is the best place to get Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet shaving soap (in bowl)? The cheapest I've seen it is $55. As much as I'd like to buy a bowl, I'm having trouble pulling the trigger on that. I know that I can buy a puck for $25, but since all my other soaps are in bowls, I'd like to be consistent. I really hate the idea of putting a super premium soap in a plastic container. That's just another of my idiosyncrasies.

Unfortunately that is going to be your price, from Shoplondons, Penhaligons directly etc.

**desmoface** · 11-09-2007, 11:23 AM

Floris has an imperfect packaging JF shave soap in the wooden bowl for $33.75. I couldn't really see any damage to the packaging, but the bowl/soap was perfect:
http://tinyurl.com/25h48l <--it's the 6th product from the bottom. Actually, they also have the Santal shave balm with imperfect packaging, which is also in these pic's. Very tasty stuff, indeed.

Steve

**mpakosta** · 11-09-2007, 05:06 PM

I've been using the T&H for a couple of days now and it is really a great soap. The lather is much thicker and creamier. I went on Lee's Safety Razor's website and ordered Mitchell's Woolfat. I can't wait to get that soap and try it so I have something to compare with T&H.

**PeteT** · 11-10-2007, 02:11 AM

I'm another recent convert to triple milled soaps, so far I've got Floris Elite and Trumpers Rose, both of which are great.
Apparently Floris are bringing out No89 shaving soap in the new year so that may be my next purchase, if I can resist the call of Penhaligon that is

**perry** · 11-11-2007, 07:10 AM

Anyone bought just the refill without the wooden bowl? What kind of bowl do you use for it? I didn't think the 1 cup Anchor Hocking bowls looked big enough, so I bought the 2 cup. It's bigger than I'd like. I have a small wooden bowl that mom brought me from Hawaii that the cake fits in pretty well, but it doesn't have a cover so I don't want to use it.

**biomesh** · 11-11-2007, 07:32 AM

I just milled the soap up and put it in the 1 cup Anchor Hocking bowl.

**desmoface** · 11-11-2007, 08:07 AM

They, at least my floris, fits perfect in a regular old coffee mug..Not the supersized mugs, just the regular old mug..

Steve

**mpakosta** · 11-11-2007, 09:02 AM

Steve,

How do you like the aftershave balm? Is the scent real strong? Currently I don't use anything on my face after I shave but I am wondering if using a balm might not be a bad idea.

**desmoface** · 11-11-2007, 09:34 AM

I love the Floris AS Balm, I have the Santal, and just ordered the Elite. Although some have said it's too heavy for them, I have dry skin so it works perfect for me, especially in the colder months..And the scent is very very nice. I find that the amount of scent in the balm is perfect, you don't really have to wear any thing else, it has just the right amount of fragrance/strength. Of course, it does fade a bit as the day progresses. I find that if it becomes too week, just a touch of edt and it's perfect.

I would highly recommend contacting floris usa (http://www.florislondon-usa.com/order_catalog.php), they will send out a nice sampler of their fragrances, balms and creams..Beware though, you will spend money after you try their stuff..their creams are some of the best I've tried..I have their JF soap, but it's the only soap I've tried so I can compare it to anything else..It's my regular shave though, it's awsome. Here's what you can expect in the sampler package:

The sampler package is very reasonably priced, also; it's free

Good luck, you will be a convert after trying their goods..

Steve