Is Strop Shoppe Special Edition with Tallow supposed to be like this?

[lostinwv]

Greetings folks,

I just received a container of Strop Shoppe Special Edition with Tallow soap, in the Peppermint and Rosemary scent.

I have to say, I’m struck by the odd consistency of this product. I should say consistencies, as there are two distinct elements, from a composition perspective: on the one hand, this soft soap is almost cream like (they’re not kidding when they say it is extra soft – it’s not too far off from the consistency of TOBS creams). On the other hand, the “cream-like” substance is laden with loads of “clumps” or “chips” that are not dissimilar from harder soaps like Tabac, and which are much more resistant to transforming into a lather.

After attempting multiple test lathers, I’ve found that it is just too difficult to get the chips to “latherify.” I took care to vary my approach while test lathering (e.g., I tried face lathering after loading with a relatively dry brush, Marco’s method, bowl lathering, etc.), and without exception I had to work quite hard to get the harder clumps to transform into lather.

I haven’t encountered a soap yet that has behaved like this. FWIW, I’m pretty dedicated to softer soaps lately, like Barrister and Mann, Mike’s, and Panna Crema. I’ve gotten Stirling down pat too, and it is easy to lather in comparison to this SS SE with tallow.

*Disclaimer: I did think the quality of the lather was very nice once I worked through the process each time, but it certainly was not as copious as when I lather any of the other soaps mentioned above. I haven’t shaved with this SS SE with tallow yet, and I’ll wait to actually shave with it to form a more complete opinion. I just wanted to ask those “in the know” if the consistency I’ve described is normal for this soap. I'm suspicious that something is not right here.

Thanks in advance for any replies,

Dave

 

[tailoredfamcam]

That's how mine is. I load for 20 seconds then move to a bowl. I've face lathered with good luck, too.
I had an issue with it at first. It seemed that I would have larger bubbles, not large, but larger than I'd like to have in lather. I added more product and water, and that seemed to do the trick.

 

[rand77]

Yes there are clumps in mine as well, in the tallow and non-tallow special editions. I lather as usual and take out any remaining clumps as required.

There are no clumps in my regular edition soap, and the consistency is much harder.

 

[evnpar]

I have four of their Special Edition with Tallow soaps, although not Peppermint and Rosemary, and have not experienced a problem with it's consistency. They are more of a croap, and not at all like a cream, and especially are not a cream with clumps. They are also incredibly easy to produce a thick, rich lather. It sounds like you might have received a tub from a poor batch.

 

[Phog Allen]

I certainly hope this is not the case. I ordered three travel sized cakes of the special edition with tallow in Barbershoppe, Baker Street, and London Morning. I definitely do not want cream like shave "soap" with lumps in it. Fingers crossed.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Clover]

I received my order today of Barbershop and 1887, and don't note any clumps in either. The Barbershop is pretty similar to Mike's Barbershop. I really dig the scent of 1887, and it's definitely my favorite of the two.

 

[Phog Allen]

Great to hear Chris. I am getting psyched for these soaps.

Cheers, Todd

 

[lostinwv]

I lather as usual and take out any remaining clumps as required.

You take out the remaining clumps? I don't think I can put up with that!

They are more of a croap, and not at all like a cream, and especially are not a cream with clumps. They are also incredibly easy to produce a thick, rich lather. It sounds like you might have received a tub from a poor batch.

To clarify: my tub is a good bit softer than any croap I've tried. Certainly much softer than, say, Cella. It really is a lot like TOBS cream in consistency (except with clumps in it)

The Barbershop is pretty similar to Mike's Barbershop.

I'm assuming you mean the smell is similar, and not the consistency..

Thanks for the replies, all. I may send an inquiry to the Strop Shoppe online to ask about this.

Dave

 

[shevek]

I transferred by travel size Black tie SE w/tallow to a tin a month ago and don't see any clumps. Maybe I smoothed the surface during the transfer. It's a fantastic scent and very easy to lather. I think i will have to try Barbershop next if the scent is anything like Mike's..

 

[vpayne]

I think you guys got some soap from a bad batch. I like their soaps a lot, & have never had a problem. I suggest you email them and ask.....
Vic

 

[Sullybob]

I have several varieties of Strop Shoppe, and Russian Tea with tallow is the only one with those little clumps. I just load my brush as if it was a soap and I don't have any issues with my lather.

I think you guys got some soap from a bad batch. I like their soaps a lot, & have never had a problem. I suggest you email them and ask.....
Vic

They aren't exactly known for answering emails about product inquires.

 

[Clover]

I think i will have to try Barbershop next if the scent is anything like Mike's..

Yea I meant scent. I have both. To me they are identical, but Mike's is stronger or potent.

 

[lostinwv]

I hadn't thought of it before, but I received some samples along with the tub in question. So, I took a look at these (and a smell) and there is definitely a difference between the samples and the tub of Rosemary Mint. The samples are uniform in composition, with no lumps to speak of. I sacrificed a no-shave lather with the 1887 Limited Edition sample, and boy did it lather differently than the Rosemary Mint. I'm convinced something is up, as the RM lather wasn't nearly as good - and way more of a pain to deal with.

I intend to send an email to the Strop Shoppe to inform them of my concerns, and perhaps they'll consider sending another tub of something (I certainly wouldn't mind the 1887 - absolutely awesome scent).

Dave

 

[dfoulk]

I have no idea what their process to make soap is, but it seems like you got the bottom of the mixing bowl, kinda like lumpy potatoes.
I'd contact them and let them know. I would think that they'd send you a replacement of the one you ordered and probably let you keep the one you have now. That's what I would do if I was the vendor.

 

[NSmalls]

I just received the Barbershoppe tallow and it was not like this at all. It was pretty much a croap. A little softer than Cella a little harder than Castle Forbes. Did you try emailing Kali?

 

[Phog Allen]

NSMalls, good to hear this. I am eagerly awaiting my soaps.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Laocoon]

Been nearly a month since I ordered a puck, and a little over a week until I attempted to check in via email (in an email that probably now resides in their customer email abyss), and so far you can hear a pin drop...I'm not a particularly impatient person, but it's starting to feel like an awfully long stretch of radio silence.

 

[StropShoppe]

Hey, just popping in for a bit of feedback here.

Consistency can be a fickle mistress, indeed. There are several variables/factors both in the production process and in the nature of the formula that can cause some... odd consistency. It is largely related to the shea butter that goes into our soap after the reaction has run to completion. The shea butter has a lower melting temperature than the soap. This can be solved with a stir of the product, it is certainly not a defect (though I continue to work on evening out the consistency). Other times where consistency can shift usually involve standing water on the soap. The already soft soap really soaks up standing water and can cause soft spots, again nothing to worry about.

Laocoon, please email me. We have been keeping up on the email and I am quite sure that I have touched base with every incoming message, but we have had some odd password problems with our LDAP and CalDAV connections this week. I've also been laid up the latter half of last week with a sinus infection (good ole' Oklahoma weather, this time of year it can never decide what temperature it likes, 50 or 70). Ill get it all straightened out.

 

[lostinwv]

Hey, just popping in for a bit of feedback here.

Consistency can be a fickle mistress, indeed. There are several variables/factors both in the production process and in the nature of the formula that can cause some... odd consistency. It is largely related to the shea butter that goes into our soap after the reaction has run to completion. The shea butter has a lower melting temperature than the soap. This can be solved with a stir of the product, it is certainly not a defect (though I continue to work on evening out the consistency). Other times where consistency can shift usually involve standing water on the soap. The already soft soap really soaks up standing water and can cause soft spots, again nothing to worry about.

Laocoon, please email me. We have been keeping up on the email and I am quite sure that I have touched base with every incoming message, but we have had some odd password problems with our LDAP and CalDAV connections this week. I've also been laid up the latter half of last week with a sinus infection (good ole' Oklahoma weather, this time of year it can never decide what temperature it likes, 50 or 70). Ill get it all straightened out.

OP here. I'll try emailing you as well. I left you a voicemail last week about this, and haven't gotten a reply (not complaining, as I understand you haven't been feeling well). As to the consistency thing, I have to say this is a real issue for me. By this point I've worked through all but one of the samples you sent me, and for sure they all perform better for me than the Rosemary Mint SE that has the hard lumps in it. As a matter of fact, the samples are flat out excellent - among the best stuff I've ever used. I do not intend to use the RM SE though, as the inability to get said lumps to dissolve is very frustrating. I'd love to have the opportunity to discuss this with you further. Email incoming.

Dave

 

[Phog Allen]

Thank you Strop Shoppe for replying. It is always a help when vendors keep up with consumer concerns. I also realise most of these small artisan soap companies have full time jobs to contend with as well. I do look forward to receiving my soaps. I used a gifted sample recently that was superb. Best of luck to Strop Shoppe.

Cheers, Todd