If you could only keep 4 shaving soaps or creams

[Marco]

A good short answer to this question is whatever @Marco recommends!

I don't use a ton of non-artisan soaps but here goes:

1. Cella Red (Brick) - I still have mine from my purchase in April of 2012 and use it for all of my head shaves. It is perfect for that.
2. SV 4.3 - This would be the one I use for my face. Lather can get incredibly thick. I haven't found a scent I truly love yet though.
3. Barberia Bolognini - not sure if this is considered artisan but it seems made in the classic ways. Vigoroso was/is one of my top 5 scents of all time. Unfortunately, I think it is discontinued. The classic scent was also a great almond smell. I wish I had more tubs of these!
4. Razorock La Famiglia - not sure if this is considered artisan but it seems made in the classic ways. The scents were incredible! Cumba Cheech, Zi Peppino, Nonno Michelino, Don Marco! I don't think I have ever been so excited about scents than these. I bought these all at once and loved them all - that has never happened again! Now a days, in most of the artisan soaps, I find the scents so bad that I am trying to find the least offensive but these are truly positive. Unfortunately, this line is discontinued. I have not tried the new line but Don Marco and Zi Peppino remain and they are tempting. Just thinking of these brings me back to my first years on the forum and awesome posts by @Marco about Italian soft soap. CLASSICS!

Honorable mention goes to P.160 brick - This is a classic that has also been lost to history. Beautiful almond scent though I prefer the scent of my beloved Cella over it. My brick is long gone but it was a classic.

Sir, you are really too kind and a true Gentleman.

P.S. A Saponificio Varesino shaving soap scent that I like a lot is Manna di Sicilia.
Among RazoRock's soap Plague Doctor is just amazing.

 

[scribble]

Stirling HaverFord
Maggard Tobacco and Leather
Deceleration of Grooming Massacre of Innocents
Henri ET Victoria Cognac and Cuban Cigars

RazroRock Puros is also excellent and it is really a toss between that and HEV Cognac and Cubans Cigars

"tobacco theme"

 

[Mustard Seed]

I love the Stirling Haverford.

 

[Mustard Seed]

It's hard, I have to admit. However, that was just the point...getting us to think about it. I have a ton of soaps and I thought what I would use if I could only have one now that MWF tallow is no more. Then, I found that was nearly impossible, so I got it down to four. Think on it some. What four could you not live without?

Ok, Doc , here is my list (could change tomorrow) and they are all creams:

Geo F Trumper GFT
TOBS Mr Taylor's
Geo F Trumper Limes
Cyrus R Salter Wild Rose


I want to add more...... lol

 

[Jens]

Typically Dove, Dial, Zest and Irish Spring

I used Imperial Leather for years (regular bar of soap, for shaving while in the shower), worked great, and the scent is one of my all time favourites

 

[Jens]

Top 4 ...:
Cella extra extra purissima (brick)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Hamol shaving cream
I am tempted to put VITOS red on as number 4, but I will reserve the spot for a "wildcard"

 

[Jay21]

Arko and Gillette Foamy red could keep me happy until the end.

 

[MrMoJoe]

Subject to change, of course, but right now ...

Haslinger Schafmilch
SV Felce Aromatica
MdC Agrumes
SV Desert Vetiver