So I received this cream from user mretzloff on Monday. Some of you may have participated in some of his beta testing of his tallow based shaving cream. Well, I am happy to say that I received my first full tub of the actual production run, and it's a good thing, since I was hoarding my last shave of the prototype I had left until I was sure I could get more!! It's that good. Couple of words about Matthew as a businessman before I get to the review. He put a lot of thought into the product, and finding testers, getting feedback, from us, his target audience. Also, I ordered the soap on June 3rd, and received it on June 7th from NC to TX, so he shipped promptly, with no problems. First class all the way. So, on to the review:
Price: $7.50 for 4oz. $3.00 shipping to TX, so $10.50 total. It's your standard size tub, loaded all the way to the top, so I think it was a tad over the 4oz. So less cost than say a proraso, for a little bit more quantity, and a better cream, with a custom, artisan feel. A definite 10
Quality: Overall quality for me is a 10. Having said that, I am all about when the rubber hits the road, er, razor hits the skin. What does it shave like trumps everything else for me, and this is a quality product in that regard. Lathers like the dickens, lot's of it, and the lather is S-T-A-B-L-E. Once it is built, and it builds with the consistency of whipped cream, it's built. Thick and creamy.
Scent: It took a hit on scent a 9, only because I was looking for a stronger cedar note. Scent, for me though, has the lowest weighted value when reviewing soaps or creams, as they don't stick around long anyway.
Latherability: 10. Easy to create a dense, thick, creamy lather. Not tricky as far as the water ratio goes. As long as you add a little at a time to the lather bowl, you are not going to get it to "break" and become unusable.
Efficacy: 10. Very effective with great razor glide. Good cushion and protection. Does exactly what it is supposed to do with a definite luxurious feel.
Moisturizing Properties: 10. Doesn't dry, but does not add so much that you get buildup with a nice ASB afterwards. The way I look at this category is does the product interfere with my skins natural balance, and still allow me to utilize an ASB. So in the regard, it scores high.
Packaging: 10. It is the standard tub that we all receive our artisan soaps and creams in. It was well packaged for shipping to avoid damage, and was completely intact when it arrived.
Overall, do yourself a favor and give this stuff a try. I can't see that you would be disappointed.
Price: $7.50 for 4oz. $3.00 shipping to TX, so $10.50 total. It's your standard size tub, loaded all the way to the top, so I think it was a tad over the 4oz. So less cost than say a proraso, for a little bit more quantity, and a better cream, with a custom, artisan feel. A definite 10
Quality: Overall quality for me is a 10. Having said that, I am all about when the rubber hits the road, er, razor hits the skin. What does it shave like trumps everything else for me, and this is a quality product in that regard. Lathers like the dickens, lot's of it, and the lather is S-T-A-B-L-E. Once it is built, and it builds with the consistency of whipped cream, it's built. Thick and creamy.
Scent: It took a hit on scent a 9, only because I was looking for a stronger cedar note. Scent, for me though, has the lowest weighted value when reviewing soaps or creams, as they don't stick around long anyway.
Latherability: 10. Easy to create a dense, thick, creamy lather. Not tricky as far as the water ratio goes. As long as you add a little at a time to the lather bowl, you are not going to get it to "break" and become unusable.
Efficacy: 10. Very effective with great razor glide. Good cushion and protection. Does exactly what it is supposed to do with a definite luxurious feel.
Moisturizing Properties: 10. Doesn't dry, but does not add so much that you get buildup with a nice ASB afterwards. The way I look at this category is does the product interfere with my skins natural balance, and still allow me to utilize an ASB. So in the regard, it scores high.
Packaging: 10. It is the standard tub that we all receive our artisan soaps and creams in. It was well packaged for shipping to avoid damage, and was completely intact when it arrived.
Overall, do yourself a favor and give this stuff a try. I can't see that you would be disappointed.