First Impression - Mike's Natural Shaving Soap

[slamjet]

My Mike's unscented soap arrived this morning just in time for my morning shave. Included in the box was a sample of his Orange, Cedarwood, & Black Pepper soap and it smells amazing! So I thought, what the heck, let's see if maybe tallow with EO is any better on my face (EO's burn me up). So I lathered it up and BAM, BURN, DANG! Well, that guy who won my Tabac PIF is going to get a sample of Mike's.

But then I tried out the unscented. My first smell was just what I expected, wet leather smell. But I forged ahead and lathered it up in my scuttle. At first I was having a dickens of a time getting it going so I decided to add warm water. Well, I added too much, or so I thought because I whipped the brush in there anyway and the stuff just exploded in lather! I had enough to shave my whole head and then some. When I was done, I still had a whole bowl full of lather. It was a shame to waste it but I'm a whole head, not a whole body shaver. I followed it up with Booster Polar Ice and now I'm off to work.

So my impressions are thus: not a fan of the smell in the can but it's not bad at all when it's on the face, needs a good amount of water to work, lathers like a mad-dog, too early to tell about the whole skin conditioning properties but it feels pretty nice and the neutral-ish smell leaves lots of room for some nice aftershaves.

I believe I now have my go-to soap.

 

[Cochese2323]

Glad it worked out for you. Mike's is a thirsty soap and does require more water than any other soap I have used, but the lather is really good when you dial it in.

 

[Leopold Bloom]

I don't find it too thirsty, I leave a very small pool of water in the bowl before lathering, then add one or two hand drips of water.

I don't get that lashings of lather the OP gets (usually swirl 60 times on the puck), but it is the best lather an ample for three pass shave.

Which I have cut down to two now that I've found the best razor blade and soap combos for me (NEW LC, Shark SS blade, and Mikes)

I don't care about the scent to be honest, but they are very nice.

 

[Marcos1]

I've been using mikes unscented tin exclusively over the last few weeks and love it!

 

[Predict]

Mikes is my #1 soap at the moment. Glad you are enjoying it! It's a shame eo bothers your face as mikes also has the best scents in shave soap IMO

 

[TonyJoe]

I had spent last month trying various soap and cream samples. Today I went back to my tin of Mike's Barbershop scent and was reminded why I love this soap. I don't think I've gotten a better lather from anything. The unscented smells like plain old soap. It reminds me of the institutional soap in the lavatories at the grade school I attended in the 1970s. But like you said, once it lathers up it's not noticeable as having any scent at all.

I'm so grateful Mike makes his soaps.

 

[sparco]

I am looking forward to try Mikes soaps, but he is currently sold out on the ones that I am eager to try.
Does any of you have something to add on these: Bay rum, Hungarian Lavender, Lilly of the Valley?

 

[OzoneAz]

Just received my first Mike's Product (Rose/Cedarwood) last week. After 3 shaves, in my opinion I can honestly say this soap runs circles (on every aspect) around my $30+ soaps, Windsor and GFT rose. From the packaging to the ingredients, you can tell this product was made by someone who actually uses it.

Great job Mike. You have a great product on your hands.

 

[GardenWeasel]

Yep...great soap!

 

[J.K.T.]

i have tried damn near every soap and cream out there and still say Mike's is the best. I have normal skin so I dont need the super D duper skin sensations this soap gives BUT it is nice to have. If I did not use anything but 1 shave product it would be Mike's. No aftershave needed. I will continue to have many and enjoy them all but still gravitate towards Mikes day to day. I will say if I ever hear he is shutting the business down I will load up for at least 20 years. Yeah its that good.

 

[celestino]

Congrats on finding a fantastic soap! The post-shave is amazing.

 

[Viseguy]

Mike's Unscented is a great soap. Try putting a dab of your favorite cream on it. It makes great superlathers.

 

[Cochese2323]

I am looking forward to try Mikes soaps, but he is currently sold out on the ones that I am eager to try.
Does any of you have something to add on these: Bay rum, Hungarian Lavender, Lilly of the Valley?

I like his lavender and lime. I am not a fan of LotV or any floral soaps for that matter. Same for bay rum, just not my cup of tea.

 

[Bad Robot]

Mikes is the next soap on my hit list. Was waiting for the bay rum to be stocked again but if that stays out of stock for too much longer I may pull the trigger on the rose and cedarwood.

 

[catherix]

Glad you've given Mike's a try! It's a great soap! Sorry to hear that the O/CW/P doesn't agree with you; it smells so good!!
Might I recommend some super lathers with that unscented?