Best value soaps

[Chris H]

I know this has probably been posted before, but since new soaps are always being made I thought it's worth posting. I'm wondering which 5 soaps members consider to be the best value. To define value, I will say those that present the best combination of price, volume, and performance (I will consider scent optional since it's so subjective). So, just because a soap is the cheapest, it does not necessarily present a good value if it does not lather well or if it does not last as long as another soap in it's price range. Here are my picks (in no particular order since they may change daily):

1. Ogallala Bay Rum
2. Honeybee
3. Arko
4. VDH
5. Palmolive

 

[shavefreak]

1.RazoRock most of the entire line
2.Sterling soaps G5 and newer

These two dominate as far as I am concerned for value, RR is like $10 - $15.00 ish Sterling soaps are like $5.00 a puck!

Second tier is Proraso then Mike's, Mystic, Stroppe Shop, Panna Crema many others so I am going with the top two, I invite anyone to find a better soap than RR and Sterling for less than $15.00.

 

[Galactimax]

I have some sort of reaction with certain honeybee soaps. I got a sampler from Sue back in February and while I really enjoyed te scents and found them providing good lather I was unable to use 6 of my 10 soaps. And while I know I'm likely in the minority I think it's also worth noting that I do not have sensitive skin and I have no reaction with any other soap. Just thought that was worth noting.

 

[noahpictures]

Mike's, Tabac and MWF last longer than most soaps.

 

[Chris H]

I have never heard of Sterling. I will look them up. That's the whole point of this post, to share soaps that are not necessarily our favorites, but that we consider "best bang for the buck/ puck".

 

[shavefreak]

I have never heard of Sterling. I will look them up. That's the whole point of this post, to share soaps that are not necessarily our favorites, but that we consider "best bang for the buck/ puck".

We should say cost vs performance or under $15.00 or something because scent matters a lot to me. Certainly Panna Crema is one of the best lathering soaps I have used but until I try other scents I still like RR King Louis better than the Panna because I love the clean soapy lavender scent. I could buy a cheaper RR soap but the KL is a better value to me because it smells better and also has a fantastic balm that goes with the soap adding even more value. The lather might not be the very very best but is it still very good so for me scent and matching balms matters high in my personal rating with performance for value. I could see someone saying Tabac is the best value. It is an exceptional performer and if they love the scent too then it is worth every penny.

 

[njpaddy]

I put Harris at #1. A refill puck can be had for $15 or so. That may be 3x the cost of Ogallala (another of my favorites), but in cost per shave Harris works out to be much cheaper. A Harris puck seems to last forever. Same with Tabac. I've been working on the same bowl of Tabac off and on for 3 years.

 

[merkur59]

Hard soapsR Harris+MWF+Tabac
Croaps:cella+vitos

 

[Chris H]

I see some excellent soaps listed. DR Harris is one of my personal favorites, but I haven't used it long enough to see how many shaves I can get out of a puck. Since it's about $15 per puck, does it provide many more shaves than a similar sized $5 puck such as Honeybee or Ogallala Bay? I know it's triple milled, but not sure if that makes it last much longer. I made scent optional for a value soap because it's subjective and hard to quantify. If a soap is inexpensive, effective, and you happen to like the smell, then I guess that makes it that much more of a value. If you don't like the smell, then it's probably not a value for you but maybe someone else.

 

[bkflyfisher]

Pre de Provence - a tin is $15 or so but will last forever - is the everlasting gobstopper of soaps! Great quality stuff, as well.
Ark and Palmolive sticks ~$3 or so in the U.S. performs with the best of them.
RazoRock stuff is a pretty decent bang for your buck too.

 

[Rohrbach]

Klar Kabinett. Lots of good soap for the money.

 

[njpaddy]

DR Harris is one of my personal favorites, but I haven't used it long enough to see how many shaves I can get out of a puck. Since it's about $15 per puck, does it provide many more shaves than a similar sized $5 puck such as Honeybee or Ogallala Bay?

I only get 30 shaves from a puck of Ogallala. I got about the same from a 40g Harris stick (a puck is 100g) that was grated then transferred several times into different containers and bowls. I don't know how much product was lost in the grating and transfers, but it had to be 5-10 shaves. So far I've used my full puck of Arlington for 20 and not much looks gone. I'd be surprised if I didn't get close to 100. Come May I'll concentrate on finishing that one off to find out.

 

[mdarnton]

I get really good results with a $2 bar of generic glycerin soap from someone like Whole Foods, but it seems so déclassé that I'm reluctant to even mention it.

 

[Kooze]

Klar Kabinett. Lots of good soap for the money.

yup- klar isn't just a good value soap. It's an excellent soap that is reasonably priced

also, cella in the kilo block is a very good soap and represents a good value for its cost.

 

[Casca Dura]

I get really good results with a $2 bar of generic glycerin soap from someone like Whole Foods, but it seems so déclassé that I'm reluctant to even mention it.

That's the only good answer so far. As for a name brand product, I'll go with Col Conk.

 

[dparish1952]

@Chris H.

It is Stirling Soaps. http://stirlingsoap.com/ I placed my first order today.

 

[Chris H]

Thanks for the link. I've actually learned a lot today about which soaps give the most good shaves for the money. Someone mentioned Vitos, which I'm a little curious about. I know it comes in a huge brick, so I'm convinced that you get a lot for your money. How does it perform, and that all important subjective question, how does it smell?

 

[targa88]

Arko

 

[merkur59]

Thanks for the link. I've actually learned a lot today about which soaps gives the most good shaves for the money. Someone mentioned Vitos, which I'm a little curious about. I know it comes in a huge brick, so I'm convinced that you get a lot for your money. How does it perform, and that all important subjective question, how does it smell?

I got the 'extra' red 125g refill from connaughtshaving (he's out at the moment). It gives thick dense lather, easily. Up there with cella in performance, but more almond-y in scent.

 

[djh]

1. Palmolive 2. Wilkinson Sword Stick 3. DR Harris (choose a scent) 4. MWF 5. Tabac