D.R. Harris - which scent

[doublediamond]

D.R. Harris Arlington soap has been on my shopping list since I read a thread a while back along the lines of "if I knew then what I know now." I'm on the verge of placing another order from our friends at WCS, so I want to kindly ask your opinions on the different Harris scents so I can pick one. I've read great things about the quality of D.R. Harris soaps, but haven't found too much describing the scents. At $30 with the bowl, I can only get one for now. I also plan on getting MWF and maybe Cella and Valobra almond, and I already have Tabac (and love the scent).

Here's what I've gathered thus far, with some questions, regarding the four Harris soap scents.

Almond - lightly scented, and I haven't seen a lot of love on these boards for this one. I'm thinking of passing since I'll get the Cella and/or Valobra almond. I like to eat almonds too. Smells like plain soap??

Arlington - this seems to be the fan favorite. But what the hell does fern smell like?? I've also seen it described as citrus. Should I be thinking orange peels and lemons?

Lavender - also lightly scented. The wife has a few lavender hand soaps around the house. I'm thinking fruity flowers.

Marlborough - woodsy smell. Would this be like my Tabac?

Lastly, will the scent of the MWF I'm ordering be really similar to any of these four? For variety, I'd want to avoid getting two soaps that are too similar in scent right now. Am I totally off in my thoughts above?

 

[ouch]

$30 with the bowl? Why not get two refills for $30 and double your pleasure?

If you only get one, get the Arlington. If you get two, add the lavender.

 

[petr]

I started with the Lavender and love it.

The almond is like almond flowers, not almond food. In reality its a bitter sharp sort of scent. Soapy. Old school English classic. I like it.

Arlington is good too. I'm no help. But I would FO SHO get the lavender.

 

[Jcof3474]

I'm one of the few who dislikes Arlington. I was hoping for more citrus in the scent, but I really just picked up on the fern scent. Regardless of my dislike for the scent, the performance of the soap was top notch; almost lathered itself.

I am really wanting to try Marlborough because I love woody scents.

J.

 

[ouch]

Hence the avatar.

 

[Jcof3474]

Hence the avatar.

hehe

 

[norton]

I have the Almond and Marlbourough.

The Almond is nothing like Cella. I love Cella's lather-ability, protection and price, but it's sweet Almond scent actually turned me off after awhile. I have no such issue with DRH - it's much softer, more powdery.

The Marlborough is subtle too, but I get more of a Sandalwood vibe to the nose - after using the Almond today, Marlbourough is on deck for tomorrow.

I find it difficult to pick a favorite between the two. I've gotten back into straights the last month or so, and either of these leaves me with a smooth, irritation free shave. Spend about 45 seconds on the puck and the rest is easy.

I also wish I had just ordered them from West Coast about 2 years ago - might have curbed the ADs a bit. Probably not, but it's nice to think that.

 

[azmark]

Marlborough and Lavender have been the best ones for me. Arlington is the only "fern'ish" scent I like and I really like the aftershave and cologne, great for everyday office scents. The Arlington soap though is the least one I like as far as performance.

 

[doublediamond]

Thanks for the input, gents.

$30 with the bowl? Why not get two refills for $30 and double your pleasure?

I suppose you are right. I don't really NEED the bowls. Then it's like a two-for-one special. In fact, I don't really need the ceramic bowl with the MWF. It might take quite a few soaps to reach the $80 threshold for free shipping.

 

[Rowsdower]

D.R. Harris Arlington soap has been on my shopping list since I read a thread a while back along the lines of "if I knew then what I know now." I'm on the verge of placing another order from our friends at WCS, so I want to kindly ask your opinions on the different Harris scents so I can pick one. I've read great things about the quality of D.R. Harris soaps, but haven't found too much describing the scents. At $30 with the bowl, I can only get one for now. I also plan on getting MWF and maybe Cella and Valobra almond, and I already have Tabac (and love the scent).

Here's what I've gathered thus far, with some questions, regarding the four Harris soap scents.

Almond - lightly scented, and I haven't seen a lot of love on these boards for this one. I'm thinking of passing since I'll get the Cella and/or Valobra almond. I like to eat almonds too. Smells like plain soap??

Arlington - this seems to be the fan favorite. But what the hell does fern smell like?? I've also seen it described as citrus. Should I be thinking orange peels and lemons?

Lavender - also lightly scented. The wife has a few lavender hand soaps around the house. I'm thinking fruity flowers.

Marlborough - woodsy smell. Would this be like my Tabac?

Lastly, will the scent of the MWF I'm ordering be really similar to any of these four? For variety, I'd want to avoid getting two soaps that are too similar in scent right now. Am I totally off in my thoughts above?

i've only tried Arlington, Cella, and MWF off your list there, so i probably won't be a huge help.

The citrus of Arlington, i guess, the orange peel and lemon is quite close to a good descriptor of it. i once read a poster claiming the citrus element smelled like fruit loops cereal and i somewhat agree with that. i don't know if they've added other flavors to fruit loops lately, but it does remind me of it from when i was younger; except, it doesn't smell sugary. The citrus seems quite strong when you open up the puck, but it diminishes upon first use.

As for the fern, i'm with you on not knowing exactly what fern smells like. i can't ever recall encountering a fern that had a particular odor or smell, but from the two scents i've tried, it seems to be a kind of subdued green smell. Whatever it is, i think it goes wonderfully with the citrus.

The only way you could go wrong with Cella or Valobra is if either almond scent isn't to your liking. Cella has a light almond and soap scent that is really nice. i believe Valobra is a stronger almond scent, going by other posters and reviews, but wouldn't mind to be corrected in the matter by anyone that is familiar with both.

MWF has a powdery soap smell that i do not believe will infringe upon any of the other scents that you may buy. The smell isn't the strong point of MWF as far as i'm concerned, and it's strength is its performance and moisturizing properties.

 

[40boy]

Never tried the Almond, but I have and use the other 3 DRH soaps.

Lavender to me is generic "floral". Bright, clean, soapy smell. Very pleasant, somewhat muted scent.

Marlborough is very cedary, with some sandalwood. Very woody, not much else.

The dominant scent to me in Arlington is a very bright lemon(rind) scent. It definitely has some "green-ish" scent to it as well, that most people describe as fern. Not sure what fern smells like, but the combo works pretty well.

If I was only going to get 1, it would be the Lavender.
They all work extremely well IMHO.

BTW the Arlington and Marlborough aftershaves are very nice too. They match the soap scents well. High alcohol, lightly mentholated. They're both terrific.

The MWF has no discernable scent to me other than soap. Smells like Ivory soap. MWF you buy because of the shaves it gives and the condition of your skin afterwards.

No expereince with Cella or Valobra soft soaps.

 

[Leon]

Marlborough - woodsy smell. Would this be like my Tabac?

I love Harris Marlborough. If you're like me and like tobacco, woody and leather scents, this one is for you. The scent is not like Tabac, but it's in the same league.

 

[Schwert]

I have the Almond and it is a nice subtle bitter almond. Harris spends most of its time unused for me though, as I find it a middle of the road soap. The tiny wooden bowl makes loading a brush a bit more of a challenge than a deeper mug or bowl. I would not bother with the bowl if I ever add another DR Harris to my soaps.

 

[john parker]

I have the Almond and it is a nice subtle bitter almond. Harris spends most of its time unused for me though, as I find it a middle of the road soap. The tiny wooden bowl makes loading a brush a bit more of a challenge than a deeper mug or bowl. I would not bother with the bowl if I ever add another DR Harris to my soaps.

Tiny bowl? I was really planning to buy DR Harris in a wooden bowl when the lavender I have in a Tupperware jar runs out, but do think I remember reading that all wooden soap bowls are not the same size. Is the DR Harris significantly smaller?

 

[Austin]

I love Harris Marlborough. If you're like me and like tobacco, woody and leather scents, this one is for you. The scent is not like Tabac, but it's in the same league.

Same here.

 

[JulesE34]

Pretty much all manufacturers make an almond/lavender/sandalwood flavour cream, but only DR Harris make Arlington and it is unique.

Fern/Citrus is exactly what it smells like, but how to explain it?

Fern - think of a walk in the woods at the height of summer - its hot and humid and theres a fresh 'grassy' (not mown grass!) smell on the air - thats the fern.

Citrus - its a light citus, sort of lemon and orange, very fresh but not overly zesty and 'in your face'

Both flavours compliment each other very well and you get a very light and fresh (but not minty/menthol fresh) cream that lathers like a demon.

Excellent value for money - the aftershave is very good too, not very 'alcoholly' and very fresh.

HTH

Jules

 

[DEF]

Fern, or "Fougere," is an accord of lavender and oakmoss, which together create something clean, green and magical. Fern itself has no natural scent, so the term is more impressionistic than anything.

I have only ever heard one other person complain about this, but I have experienced two very different versions of D.R. Harris Arlington -- one that was a lovely light citrus and fern combo, and more recently another that was trashed with a citronella smell, like a patio candle. The old Arlington could easily be my one-and-only desert island soap, but I haven't had the courage to buy it again since that citronella letdown.

Of the remaining scents, Almond is definitely my favorite, followed by their straightforward Lavender. I'll need to give Marlborough another try, but I remember not liking it because there was a peaty, earthy character to it.

The Almond may be worth your gamble; there are quite a few of us who really love that soap.

Regards,
Doug

 

[adaumus]

marlborough is not like tabac. It smells like sandalwood/cedarwood, and a little musky, though in the same family. I love it and it's amazing soap! I also have the edc, and wear it often.

 

[drumana]

I've had the Marlborough, Arlington and Lavender. The only one I've kept is Lavender. Lavender is probably the safest bet out of the three, scent wise. They all perform great.

 

[doublediamond]

Exactly the kinds of comments and input I was hoping for, thanks guys, all very much helpful! I think I will pass on the bowl and get two pucks instead, especially after hearing they may be on the small side. Now I can go spend my dollars in a more educated fashion.