Any tricks for Pen's newer formulation of Blenheim Bouquet

[Blue-EyedSon]

I just ordered a new Simpson's brush (Emperor 2) from vintageblades and to take advantage of the free shipping, I decided to add a puck of Pen's newer formulation of Blenheim Bouquet. I knew the reviews weren't very good, but I decided to give it a try anyways because I really wanted to give it a fair try on my own. I am amazed at how poorly it performs. I wasn't expecting much given the poor reviews, but it vastly underperformed even my lowest expectations. I think this is the worst soap I have ever tried, even worse than ClassicBrand. For reference, I've tried TOBS, Trumpers, Harris, Tabac, Pen's older formulation, Yardley, Nana June's, and ClassicBrand.

I've tried experimenting with different ratios of water-soap. I've tried starting with it on the drier side and adding water as I go along to try to find a sweet spot, but there doesn't seem to be one. I've tried it with both the new brush and my Simpson's Case, which has been the one I've used almost exclusively. Nothing seems to help. I'm able to get the lather looking decent enough in the scuttle, but when it goes to my face or lathered on the back of my hand, it begins drying out almost instantly. When I tried shaving with it this morning, by the time I got to the other side of my face (45 seconds-ish), it was almost completely gone. And even before it starts drying out, it is incredibly thin with almost no cushion. About the only thing it has is a moderate amount of slickness, but it is soap after all.

Does anybody who has had some success with the newer formulation have any advice? Does it just take a ton of soap to produce a decent lather? I've tried using what would be way too much soap (a solid 20-30 seconds swirling on the puck) in relation to the others that I've used, but even then, nothing works. Any tips or words from the wise?

 

[alabamalawyer]

I got a decent shave face-lathering with it. I loaded the brush and then created the lather directly on my face, adding just a bit of water as need to the brush. I never did get a very thick lather, but it was slick, so the shave was ok.

 

[Doc4]

"not buying it" seems to be the best tip.

 

[richmondesi]

Someone should send all these threads to Pens so that maybe, just maybe they'll do something about this

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Man....really regretting getting rid of my BB puck. The fact that we're actually typing this is so sad...

I traded a whole buncha crap to make money for a Fountain Pen purchase. Glad I bought the pen...best one I own, but I miss my Tallow BB!

 

[Ignatius]

The made in England Palm Oil based soaps all seem much the same now. Advice on lathering any of them would likely be appropriate (just to broaden your search).

 

[Gruder]

Man....really regretting getting rid of my BB puck. The fact that we're actually typing this is so sad...

I traded a whole buncha crap to make money for a Fountain Pen purchase. Glad I bought the pen...best one I own, but I miss my Tallow BB!

Sorry to diverge for a moment, but what was the pen?

 

[Leon]

I'm in the same situation as you.
I got a brand new unopened BB soap refill with the new formula and so far the results have been sub-par.
The last try did an OK job, I combined it with a cream to build superlather.
I think this soap is alergic to water. A little too much water turns the lather into thin and airy foam.
I suppose the brush must be practically dry, but able to load soap - a lot of soap. Then try to face lather directly.
That's the way I'm heading. What's yours?

I am amazed at how poorly it performs. I wasn't expecting much given the poor reviews, but it vastly underperformed even my lowest expectations. I think this is the worst soap I have ever tried, even worse than ClassicBrand.

Does anybody who has had some success with the newer formulation have any advice? Does it just take a ton of soap to produce a decent lather? I've tried using what would be way too much soap (a solid 20-30 seconds swirling on the puck) in relation to the others that I've used, but even then, nothing works. Any tips or words from the wise?

 

[Doc4]

I'm in the same situation as you.
I got a brand new unopened BB soap refill with the new formula and so far the results have been sub-par.

... the soap will lather marginally better once you take it out of the box.

 

[richmondesi]

Sorry to diverge for a moment, but what was the pen?

just like Chad to pinpoint the real issue

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

Leon - I think your description of 'allergic to water' is perfectly apt.

I think I'll have to try an exclusive face lather as Chris suggested as well. My normal routine, is to get the lather going in a scuttle and then continue working it and developing it on my face. But maybe it will make a difference if I only face lather.

And, Paul, I've already sent Penhaligon's an email expressing my great disappointment. I also e-mailed the vendor so that if Pen's ever asks them for input, then the vendor can also communicate customer dissatisfaction to them as well.

 

[Leon]

... the soap will lather marginally better once you take it out of the box.

So that's the problem!!!

 

[honed]

I wonder who actually buys their soaps, outside the likes of a typically AD-struck B&B'er.
There must be many gentlemen who have shaved with Penhaligons their whole life.
How do they react to this?

Seriously, you can go ou to any drugstore & buy a soap for 2 bucks & it crushes the Pen's so hard it won't even be a competition.

 

[Suzuki]

"not buying it" seems to be the best tip.

Agreed - its no longer worth the $70 given that its veggie and the bowl is crap.

Someone should send all these threads to Pens so that maybe, just maybe they'll do something about this

Actually, we should do two things (i) anyone who thinks the soap is sub-par should seek a refund from Pens of the vendor they bought it from and (ii) we should stop buying it and tell Pens why.

I think there's no chance of them going back to the old version, as the shaving soap has to be a marginal product for them and they're willing to sacrifice sales of this product to maintain their royal warrant/be PC.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

In my opinion, even the refill puck at $30, which is what I bought, is not worth it. I've not tried any of the drug store brands, but I have tried ClassicBrand shaving soap ($5) when I first started out. And the Pen's newer formulation significantly underperforms even ClassicBrand. I used the older formulation of EF this morning to check my initial impressions. And, again, even the $30 refill is not worth the price. I'll give it a few more tries, especially with an exclusive face lathering, but I'm not too hopeful.

 

[Gustav]

I have not tried Penhaligon's reformulation soap but I bought a disastrous Floris no89 reformulation. I wrote to them about it and they were very cooperative and supplied me with one that met my expectations (for more details see the thread on the matter: "Floris have you written it off and why?"). In my case it paid off to complain and the only thing I lost was the shipping cost to send the disastrous soap back to Floris which is a whole lot better than being stuck with a hopeless puck.

 

[The National Razor]

I have not tried Penhaligon's reformulation soap but I bought a disastrous Floris no89 reformulation. I wrote to them about it and they were very cooperative and supplied me with one that met my expectations (for more details see the thread on the matter: "Floris have you written it off and why?"). In my case it paid off to complain and the only thing I lost was the shipping cost to send the disastrous soap back to Floris which is a whole lot better than being stuck with a hopeless puck.

True, but in the Floris case there is a superior verson out there (the re-reformulated No. 89). With the Pen's, the current subpar incarnation is all that's available.

Maybe they'll get it right with a subsequent rendition, but that may be years in the future.

 

[Jim]

Brian,
I would write directly to Penhaligon's and ask for an explanation and a replacement. The only way that you can reach these companies is by highlighting the issue through rising customer service costs.

When we spend over 70.00 for a puck and bowl it better be perfect.

I have used the original version and version II but not the "new version"
If we can work it out I would love to try it.

 

[endcycle]

If anyone is sick of theirs and wants to hand it off, I'd be happy to purchase it to give it a try. I am working through my puck of tallow-based BB (and it's my absolute favorite shave soap I own - out of a LOT of soaps). The idea that I won't be able to replace it makes me a bit sad.

 

[Gustav]

Very true Ryan, but my point which I admit was not very clear, is that the more people voice there discontent with a product, the more likely Pen's should be motivated to do something about it. How are you getting along with your no89 puck by the way?