Prairie Creations OLD SPICE Tallow Shave Soap

Topgumby;1617384 said:

Let's start off this review with full disclosure. I am not a highly trained connoisseur of tallow soaps. I don't have an advanced degree in dermatology, I am not a steely-nosed scentologist, nor do I have a laboratory with an assistant named Igor where I can dissect and analyze the component parts of shaving soap.

I am also slightly prejudiced in my outlook on this product because of the fine customer service, conscientious communication and willingness to go above and beyond merely filling an order that this vendor displays.

With that out of the way, this soap rocks. We are talking Buddy Holly never died and goes on to slay disco before it happened rocks. As a humble neophyte wet shaver who thought creamy tallow goodness was only available overseas or by borrowing from the past, I'm blown away by this soap.

Price: I should go to jail for paying so little for so much quality.

Quality: Well, it could come in a fancy Ironwood bowl with a rendition of some long-dead English Dandy looking bored on a gilded label, instead of in a plastic TTO dish that's clearly and attractively labeled. The stuff inside is quality through and through, however.

Scent: It smells like soapy Old Spice. Not exactly like the Shulton OS, but close. There is a scent "bloom" when you build your lather, but mostly it's fairly understated, not overpowering. My only less than perfect rating comes from personal preference for a stronger scent, and the desire not to come across like a Eastern Bloc gymnastics judge.

Lather: The lather is moist, plentiful and lasts as long as a that Chick Flick you agreed to watch in exchange for the John Wayne movie last week. I leave my face lathered for at least two minutes before I shave as part of my prep, and I'm used to having to bring the brush back in to play before proceeding with the shave. Not with this stuff.

Efficacy: "ef·fi·ca·cy, Date: 13th century: the power to produce an effect."
That's what that word means! If the effect you are after is glide, cushion and protecting your tender skin from that nasty ol' razor blade, this stuff has efficacy in Spades. My styptic pencil just made friends with the Maytag repairman.

Moisturizing: Bring in the amplifier from "This is Spinal Tap", because we need to go to eleven on the moisturizing meter. This stuff could be sold as a brush on moisturizing product. It's embarrassing - I want to use words like soft, smooth, supple, soothing and luxurious in connection with my face. The dirt road that is my ugly mug has been paved over with tallowy goodness.

A short time ago I was pondering on how the rich, creamy American made tallow soaps of the past, like the original Old Spice and vintage Williams shave stick, were seemingly lost forever, showing up only as ghosts at antique shops and auction sites.

Now I find the good old days are back, better than ever, and available for a song from Prairie Creations.

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