What constitutes an artisan?
MDC and Castle Forbes over Stirling?
Man... It really is YMMV.Stirling Soaps
- Thread starter wulfgar1976
- Start date
Man... It really is YMMV.
@xterribad
Keep in mine guys, I am still fairly new to wet shaving on this journey, so correct me if I am wrong here but... When someone says a shave soap is a specifically "ARTISAN" shave soap, doesn't that just mean that its hand made? Because it appears to me, mass produced soaps of lower quality, such as that of Proraso shave soap, none of those are classified as "ARTISAN" on the label. So, ya, I am thinking it just means, a soap that is hand made, or hand crafted as some might say.
Keep in mine guys, I am still fairly new to wet shaving on this journey, so correct me if I am wrong here but... When someone says a shave soap is a specifically "ARTISAN" shave soap, doesn't that just mean that its hand made? Because it appears to me, mass produced soaps of lower quality, such as that of Proraso shave soap, none of those are classified as "ARTISAN" on the label. So, ya, I am thinking it just means, a soap that is hand made, or hand crafted as some might say.
Artisan in this usage would relate to limited quantities or small batches - seriously ambiguous terminology.
For any modern soap maker, we can toss out "hand made" as this would directly correlate to mechanized mixing; simply put, ain't nobody hand stirring... I'd be hard pressed to believe that anybody is hand-pouring soap these days either; A/S and liquified balms sure
And yes, MdC > Stirling in my book - personal preference of course
Nothing at all wrong with Stirling, I have quite a few; but MdC hits all my checkboxes with a jumbo sharpie
For any modern soap maker, we can toss out "hand made" as this would directly correlate to mechanized mixing; simply put, ain't nobody hand stirring... I'd be hard pressed to believe that anybody is hand-pouring soap these days either; A/S and liquified balms sure
And yes, MdC > Stirling in my book - personal preference of course
Nothing at all wrong with Stirling, I have quite a few; but MdC hits all my checkboxes with a jumbo sharpie
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Most people consider Stirling an 'artisan' vendor because that's basically how Stirling started. One man and his wife making soap. Hand-written batch numbers on the soap containers. Hand written 'thanks' on your order form. He's not making soap in his garage anymore but he's also certainly not sitting in an office while someone else makes his soap.
Oh I know. And I just wanted to confirm, that they are still hand writing thank you notes on the package sheet! And, they also have two separate initials on the sheet as well, one for the person who packaged my order, and another for the person who quality checked it. And my order was packaged so darn well, they could send me a chicken egg, and it wouldn't have broken! I really am amazed at the service that I get from them. So far, I love all the products I've tried thus far.
Stirling is #1 in my book. And you know else is #1? Captains choice! The only real difference is, Stirling provides a greater value for the amount of soap you get as per the cost. Captains Choice produces the same quality, but you get less and pay a little more. But its all relative isn't it? When were talking about quality products, you can't go wrong, and thats what matters.
Agreed. Hard to beat the value per dollar on a Stirling transaction.
"Artisan" shave soap is analogous to "small batch" whiskey, and equally meaningful/meaningless in terms of the actual quality of the product.
Remember, if you can smell it... it is because there are airborne particles.. I can't imagine shipping soaps and coffee together, but that's me.
If a company sent me coffee along with shave soap, I'd add them to my favorites list instantly, because that upper level thinking right there!
Stirling will do that. I ordered soaps and body butters for the missus recently. I am still good on soap and AS, at the moment. I also ordered Costa Rican coffee beans and a pour over setup and it all came in the same box. The packing label had a handwritten thank you note in it as well.
The soaps are also still handmade on two oven tops, in Stainless pots. They are clearly visible in his 2022 video. My wife and I have also traveled to the shop and met Rod and Mandy. They took time out of their day to give us a tour of the soap shop and roastery. They are down to earth and great folks.
Ohhhhh....Myyyyyy......Goshhhhh! You are so lucky!
I would love to visit their shop and meet them. This is just amazing, their shop looks great, love their wood floors, and I love their huge product selection and quantitites on the shelves, very nice.Thanks for sharing this awesomeness with us, I really appreciate it!
Great down to earth owners trying to provide high quality goods, pay good wages, and build a business from scratch.
It was a 10 hour round trip for us, but worth the drive.Ohhhhh....Myyyyyy......Goshhhhh! You are so lucky!
Thanks for sharing this awesomeness with us, I really appreciate it!
Tried their “Sheep” soap recently and agree.
I like ARKO! more than Stirling’s Beef with and without lanolin bases (they’re so awesome, but they require more thought than I can muster while shaving).
Stirling’s mutton base didn’t care that I’m half asleep when I shave and didn’t care that I‘m an insufferable ARKO! fanboi — it just delivered pure, unbridled luxury very matter-of-factly.
Going to try other soaps, too, but Stirling Sheep; nuthin’ but mutton base; amazed me.
But there *are* still artisans doing that. Just because you streamline a process doesn't suddenly make you ineligible for the distinction of artisan. If you suddenly find a way to go from making 10 things a batch by hand to 100, I don't think it changes anything imo. Also, it seems like that's similar to what they're doing according to the below quote.
Just a reminder of who is the King of Sterling soaps are in this discussion ....
Although I confess, I sent back the tub soaps.
So cool that you visited their shop. I am so envious. If only my shaving cabinet were to look like that!!!! One would be set for life!!!
Yes you have more Stirling soaps then I do, but you have more soaps then many of us do on the site LOL! - But rest assured, as time goes by, I will be adding to my Stirling soaps, don't you worry. I don't know if you noticed, but I have Glacial Lemon Chill now as my latest most recent acquisition.
I also rank MdC over Stirling. Stirling Sheep is better than Naked & Smooth, but MdC was eye opening!
