I've used both and like both. I was a big fan of Sue's Mama Bear soaps pre- and post-fire and I still like Jennifer's soaps after she bought the business from Sue. Over the years I have grown more hirsute. I just don't go through the soap as quickly and I can buy a puck of VDH when I am up in the big city rather than try to sample all the new artisans.
Have Recent Preferences Shifted Toward Commercial Versus Artisan Shaving Soaps?
- Thread starter Lane101
- Start date
I am fairly price insensitive re soaps, so I have been willing to buy pretty much whatever soap interests me. I have enjoyed most of the artisinal soaps I've gotten, barring the occasional one that causes fragrance burn. But my go to travel soap is Speick creme (in the metal foil tube). I enjoy the scent, and I find it works well even as a hand-lather soap, enabling me to avoid taking a brush on the road. Almost every time I use the Speick I get an excellent shave and wind up musing that if I could use only one soap Speick would be a excellent choice.
- Thread starter
- #63
The TFS Ciotola Rosa or "Red Bowl" that is made in Torino Italy is a great shaving soap and excellent value. Italian Barber has Kilogram bricks of it available for $19.99 U.S.
My favorite soap under $5. Smells great, performs better than Cella and doesn't get rancid!!!
For me easy availability is a major factor. Proraso I can get online very easy from many vendors for little money.
I can buy Palmolive and De Vergulde Hand locally in all supermarkets and pharmacies.
And whenever I visit Germany, which is at least a couple of times every year, I stock up on stuff like Tabac and Speick.
I can buy Palmolive and De Vergulde Hand locally in all supermarkets and pharmacies.
And whenever I visit Germany, which is at least a couple of times every year, I stock up on stuff like Tabac and Speick.
I just checked My Shave Den to see how many soaps I have.... I was shocked to see I have 17..... This list includes 3 brushless creams I bought for travel.... but doubt I'll ever use again... None of them worked well for me.... Those would be considered "commercial", I suppose.
Of the soaps I use on a regular basis, I only have two that would be considered "commercial": Baume.be unscented cream and Acca Kappa Barbershop... I can only use the Acca Kappa every so often.. I love the luxurious lather but my skin reacts to the peppermint.
All my other soaps are unscented and would be considered artisan or boutique soaps.... They are all great but I've been using soaps crafted by B&B members @blethenstrom / Boris and @BigAlVista / Mark.... They are as good as any soaps I've ever used, including Canada Shaving Soap...
I haven't purchased any new soaps in ages.... The last I bought were back-ups of Canada Shaving Soap when it showed up on Amazon and I could save the shipping costs...
Of the soaps I use on a regular basis, I only have two that would be considered "commercial": Baume.be unscented cream and Acca Kappa Barbershop... I can only use the Acca Kappa every so often.. I love the luxurious lather but my skin reacts to the peppermint.
All my other soaps are unscented and would be considered artisan or boutique soaps.... They are all great but I've been using soaps crafted by B&B members @blethenstrom / Boris and @BigAlVista / Mark.... They are as good as any soaps I've ever used, including Canada Shaving Soap...
I haven't purchased any new soaps in ages.... The last I bought were back-ups of Canada Shaving Soap when it showed up on Amazon and I could save the shipping costs...
I don't know that the world's preferences were ever in favor of artisan soaps vs commercial.
I don't think there is always a clear line there anyway.
I am sure some might want to be on one side or another for some reason, but attempting to prove who's winning would be a fools game and a waste of time think.
As long as everyone likes the soap they're using, then the alleged popularity contest becomes pointless.
I don't think there is always a clear line there anyway.
I am sure some might want to be on one side or another for some reason, but attempting to prove who's winning would be a fools game and a waste of time think.
As long as everyone likes the soap they're using, then the alleged popularity contest becomes pointless.
Everyone will have their preferences and should get whatever they like - I don't think this is a popularity contest but obviously there will be trends and people will be influenced by what other forum members praise in their posts.
When I first became interested in wet shaving, I got very excited about the endless possibilities seemingly offered by all sorts of artisan razors/soaps. I still like "stuff" as much as anyone but I have also come to the conclusion that technique is more important... and there is something satisfying about obtaining a superb shave with a basic soap & razor combination.
When I first became interested in wet shaving, I got very excited about the endless possibilities seemingly offered by all sorts of artisan razors/soaps. I still like "stuff" as much as anyone but I have also come to the conclusion that technique is more important... and there is something satisfying about obtaining a superb shave with a basic soap & razor combination.
My favourite as well! And here in Italy it's dirt cheap costing only €1,95!!
Similar threads
