Are there English soaps that perform as well as Cella, Speick, etc.?

[New Madrid]

During the past year since I discovered wetshaving, I have been for the most part making a country-by-country voyage of discovery of shaving products. I spent some time in Germany with Speick and Tabac, and then moved on to Italy, where I have been stuck (happily) for many months. I have a thick, coarse beard and sensitive skin, so I have found that soap performance is key for me. I have found Cella and Speick to be nearly indispensable because of their performance. On the other hand, I have yet to try a non-tallow soap or cream that has adequately protected me from irritation.

I am intrigued by the variety of English soaps available, and I want to travel to England next in my shaving journey around the world. But having discovered the wonders of Cella, I'm a bit hesitant to give up my smooth, irritation-free shaves.

Are there any English soaps that yield as comfortable a shave as Cella or Speick? In other words, is it worth my time and money to explore the shaving products of England (and beyond), or have I already found the mother lode in Italy?

 

[kingfisher]

You've probably found the proverbial mother lode, but GFT soaps are worth a look, despite reformulation. Don't bother with Penhaligon's unless you can come up with some old formulation soap.

 

[superbleu]

DR Harris is definitely one you should at least try. Also the wilkinson and palmolive sticks are no slouches either.

 

[xillion]

D.R. Harris soaps are great. I too have sensitive skin and Arlington always gives me a slick irritation free shave.

Refill:

https://www.westcoastshaving.com/DR-Harris-Arlington-Shaving-Soap-Refill_p_162.html

Shave Stick:

https://www.westcoastshaving.com/DR-Harris-Arlington-Shaving-Stick_p_247.html

Bowl:

https://www.westcoastshaving.com/DR-Harris-Arlington-Shaving-Soap-in-Beech-Wood-Bowl_p_158.html

Discount code “BANDB” should be good on Dr Harris purchases.

 

[goby]

Should you travel to England????

Trumper, DR Harris, TOBS, and Truefitt & Hill are amazing. DR Harris Arlington is great, and has tallow. Trumper is just as good, and smells great.

England has a lot to offer. They're probably my favorite "shaving country."

 

[_MementoMori_]

I must be missing something. Is there a reason no one has mentioned Mitchell's Wool Fat yet?

 

[DSB]

I highly recommend Czech & Speake.

DR Harris Arlington is very nice, as well. I know you're talking soaps, but I also recommend the DR Harris aftershave spashes. Marlborough and Arlington smell great.

 

[BladeRunner001]

+1 for DR Harris ...has Tallow and is triple milled. Great combo

Floris is amazing too (triple milled).

 

[xillion]

I must be missing something. Is there a reason no one has mentioned Mitchell's Wool Fat yet?

+1

MWF is a great soap.

But the OP stated that he has sensitive skin, the lanolin in MWF may cause irritation.

It works great for me with no irritation and I too have sensitive skin. But as always YMMV.

 

[Popeyeguy]

From what I have tried you can't go wrong with the English stuff, the best in my opinion.

 

[New Madrid]

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I have my post-Christmas order put together!

How about TOBS soaps? Are they good, or just average, performers?

 

[kingfisher]

I highly recommend Czech & Speake.

DR Harris Arlington is very nice, as well. I know you're talking soaps, but I also recommend the DR Harris aftershave spashes. Marlborough and Arlington smell great.

Isn't Czech & Speake soap really made in Italy? (by Valobra)

 

[Empty Words]

MWF, D.R. Harris, and Trumper's are all very good soaps which are comparable to Cella and Speick.

How about TOBS soaps? Are they good, or just average, performers?

Average performers. I have the Sandalwood and Lavender and won't be purchasing them again, that's if I ever use them up.

 

[drumana]

I prefer Cella and Speick, but DR Harris makes a mean soap.

 

[FL shaver]

As I read this I can't help but think of the price difference between most of the English products mentioned and the Italian and German products. Quite a difference in price between Cella and most of the English soaps.

 

[DSB]

Isn't Czech & Speake soap really made in Italy? (by Valobra)

I believe you are correct. It is widely accpeted that Czech & Speake is made by the same Italian soapsters that make the AOS soaps (I say "accepted" because I don't know if C&S confirms this). However, I still consider it an English soap as C&S is an English company (just as I would list AOS as an American soap, and Honda Accord as a Japanese car (made in Ohio)). However you classify it, it's a nice product.

 

[Marco]

Amazing soaps from the UK are:

MWF
DR Harris Arlington
Trumpers Rose and Eucris

My number one choice from England is MWF, a terrific performer indeed.

 

[rajagra]

{Re: TOBS soaps}
Average performers. I have the Sandalwood and Lavender and won't be purchasing them again, that's if I ever use them up.

The avocado is said to have an edge over the other flavours, I found it was a bit slicker and easier to lather* than the rose and almond types I also have.

(* Easier in the sense that you seem to need even less product, they all lather easily.)

 

[Optometrist]

Harris soaps are tallow based and all good performers. Trumpers Rose and Violet are equally as good in my opinion. But, if you use Cella, my preferred and number 1 soap, I believe you will still find yourself reaching for that, more than anything else. It can't be beaten IMO, not even by the beloved MWF.

David

 

[The Seeker]

But, if you use Cella, my preferred and number 1 soap, I believe you will still find yourself reaching for that, more than anything else. It can't be beaten IMO, not even by the beloved MWF.

True, so true. Cella is a superlative soap.