Getting to the bottom of VDH, what next?

[renewingmind]

I purchased a VDH starter kit a while back with a brush, a bowl, a stand and a puck of soap. It brought me here and I LOVE shaving now, something I used to hate. I recently bought my first DE razor (6 actually. Only tried the adjustable slim so far), been using a sensor excel up until now. Not sure i like it better (shave certainly isn't as good so far), but I'm willing to try for a while. $.14 a blade is very appealing to me...

I don't know where to get a replacement soap that fits my bowl. I also don't know if I want the same brand or to try something new. I loved the smell of the sandalwood soap at AoS but there was _no way_ I was spending $50 on a single thing of soap. I'm not unhappy with the VDH soap I have been using, it's a million times better than the edge shaving gel I used to use...

I saw a link here to west coast shaving, and they have DE Jagger and Muhle, both in Sandalwood for about $10 per. Are either of those any good? Any suggestions as to what I should get and where?

Thanks for the help!

Joel

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

You can grate any soap to make it fit in your bowl. Check out Mama Bear soaps.

 

[FL shaver]

Just about anything goes since you are just getting your feet wet! How about a puck of Cade (at L'Occitane in the mall), MWF (connaught shaving or wigham wool works online), or Tabac (search for a cheap online source)? Those are 3 of the most talked about soaps here. A tub of Cella would be another great classic to try. If you were going for an EJ soap, I would suggest Sea Buckthorn on scent alone. Keep a puck of VDH on hand in case something about the next puck doesn't agree with you, but there are so many great soaps out there to try.

EDIT: I see Connaught shaving stocks Tabac, MWF, and Cella...

 

[bryan1980]

Another vote for Tabac. I'm not a soap person, but this is one soap that might change that. Plus, you can only order a refill since you already have a bowl for it. I pressed mine into an Old Spice mug SWMBO bought me.

The scent is sort of a love/hate thing (its starting to grow on me), but there's no arguing the sort of lather it produces. Very slick, and very easy to produce.

 

[GencoOliveOilCompany]

Welcome to B&B; enjoy the forum and your shaves. Try a tub of Proraso red (sandalwood); it won't break the bank. It lathers easily, smells great (it's a subtle scent), and makes your face feel great after the shave. That's my experience with Proraso. Their green and white tubs are excellent, too.

 

[Jarick]

If you're in the US, a great local option is to head to a local Bath and Body Works and pick up a tube of CO Bigelow cream. It is the same as Proraso, which is a very well regarded shaving cream.

Another solid option would be to pick up some samples and see what you like. If you google "Garrys Sample Shop", he has a ton of samples you could try. There's the Proraso I mentioned as well as other good creams like Taylor of Old Bond, plus a lot of good soaps like DR Harris, Mitchells Wool Fat, Cella, and Tabac. You could try the Proraso Red and the TOBS Sandalwood. To my nose, the TOBS stuff smells exactly like the Art of Shaving stuff, although it is a cream (they make a soap too but that doesn't seem to be as well regarded).

 

[petr]

Every guy should go through a puck of tabac and RR artisan soaps. Cheers.

 

[SteveWY]

+1 on samples from Garry.

Tabac, Cella, Mitchell's Wool Fat

Mike's Natural Soaps (many scents), he offers small samples for about $1.00 each. Order bars or tins. The bar will press into any bowl or mug.

Sticks: Arko, Palmolive Classic, La Toja. Palmolive is soft enough (and I love it0 that I pressed 2 sticks into a mug. You can do this with many soaps.

 

[Jarick]

Ah, I forgot the Mike's. Yes, that's next on my "to try" list, after I clear out a soap or two!

 

[renewingmind]

I realized I never said I really wanted sandalwood... After reading a bit, I ordered a puck of Taylor of Old Bond Sandalwood soap. Won't use it until I finish the VDH, so it will be a little while.

Thanks!

 

[sorasevilbro]

Mama Bears! She makes real good soaps in all sorts of scents. If you are looking for good natural soaps, Mikes and Mystic Waters are also really good, and have a HUUUUUUGE variety of different scents.

 

[robochoche]

If you do not want to spend much I would check out Razorock.

 

[Shutterbug57]

I agree with you - $50 for a puck of AoS is insane. Sure it has a nice bowl, but really? I suggest Mike's Natural Soaps. I use Mike's for three seasons. In the summer I like a little menthol, so I use Vostok, which can be had with a nice bowl for $22, $15 without the bowl.