D.R. Harris Lavender Shaving Soap (In Beech Bowl)

A solid performer, this soap really only has two shortcomings relative to its overall quality: the scent is not as prolific as I might prefer and the cost is slightly higher than some of its contemporaries.

Price: $13 - $15 for a refill isn't too bad a price, actually, but there are soaps with similar performance available for $8 - $10. For this reason, I have given it a moderately low rating. You are effectively paying for the name, in this case.

Quality: The reason you're paying so much for the name is that this is a quality piece of kit from an outstanding company. The soap is flawlessly made and packaged. If you spring for the bowl (especially the mahogany-effect one), it exudes quality on the counter.

Scent: A lovely lavender, to be sure. It's just faint. Easy to smell on the soap, it disappears during lathering. This is okay with me, but I would have liked it even more if it filled the room with a lavender bouquet when I shaved.

Lather: And lather it does. In 20 swirls, this gives my Rooney Finest 3/1 or my B&B Essential enough soap for two or three passes. Thick and lovely, it's an excellent lathering soap. Forgiving on water balance, it will lather even in hard water.

Efficacy: Which also glides nicely. This is a slick soap and I never feel like I'm dragging a razor, even when my prep isn't as sound as I'd like it. Never have irritation when using this soap.

Moisturizing: Not just no irritation, but my face does feel softer afterward. I have failed to use aftershave on two occasions with this soap - once intentionally and once accidentally - and each time my face still felt well-moisturized.

Overall, a solid product from a reputable company. Sure, you pay a little extra for the name. It is a good investment, in some ways, because it's such a no-brainer product. It always lives up to the expectation of a good shave, even making up for slight oversights in other parts of the routine.

Price: It is only $13-15 for a refill puck, which considering it is a triple milled soap is not that much. If you want to spring for the wooden bowl then that shouldn't negatively affect your rating on the price of the soap itself.

Quality: Swearing away from what the 3T's and Penhaligons have done, at least DRH kept tallow in their ingredients, though it is now 2nd on the ingredients list. Compared to Trumpers (current offering) I think that DRH is a step above in quality.

Scent: You can barely smell the lavender on the puck and when lathering it is almost non-existent.

Lather: This soap lathers like the best of tallow soaps and can take plenty of water to give a nice thick lather.

Efficacy: Lather produced has plenty of cushion, but lacks a little in slickness. Still, it is very effective.

Moisturizing: To be honest I never really notice any moisturizing properties of soaps unless they are IK, MWF, or tabula Rasa. DRH Lavender doesn't dry your face out, but I don't notice anything extra moisturizing either.

All in all this is a great performing soap, but I prefer the scent of arlington better. If you are buying this for a great lavender scent, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Just received a puck of this soap and i gotta say its given me the best shave yet of any cream/soap i've used in the past. The scent isn't really that of lavender but the lather is super rich and protective. Will get some more top end soaps to compare but i'm very impressed with this one.