June Arlington Soap Discussion Thread (#1)
- Thread starter SRock
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I really like the Arlington shaving soap. The scent is exactly what I would expect based on the cologne and aftershave. But the scent is very, very subtle. I wish it was just a touch stronger. However, I suspect that if the scent was stronger, it might not work as well with the subtlety of the Arlington scent. Still, I can't help but wish it was a little stronger.
Performance wise, it is a good soap. I'm not sure if it just doesn't get along well with my normal lathering technique, but I find that I have to be a bit more careful when lathering this soap and it has a smaller sweet spot of product/water ratio than other soaps that I've used (Trumpers, AOS, TOBS, Pen's, Tabac). But when I get the product/water ratio right (it isn't hard to get it right, but seems less accommodating than the others) it makes a very nice lather. The lather is probably a bit thinner than each of the others (with the exception of TOBS), but it is still very slick and provides enough cushion and protection for a close shave.
But even though I wish the scent was a little stronger and that it was a bit more forgiving in the water/product ratio, I have absolutely no qualms about recommending this soap, especially if you like the Arlington scent line.
Performance wise, it is a good soap. I'm not sure if it just doesn't get along well with my normal lathering technique, but I find that I have to be a bit more careful when lathering this soap and it has a smaller sweet spot of product/water ratio than other soaps that I've used (Trumpers, AOS, TOBS, Pen's, Tabac). But when I get the product/water ratio right (it isn't hard to get it right, but seems less accommodating than the others) it makes a very nice lather. The lather is probably a bit thinner than each of the others (with the exception of TOBS), but it is still very slick and provides enough cushion and protection for a close shave.
But even though I wish the scent was a little stronger and that it was a bit more forgiving in the water/product ratio, I have absolutely no qualms about recommending this soap, especially if you like the Arlington scent line.
I started off June Arlington with a nice shave this morning. Arlington Soap and then finished off with Arlington Cologne. To me, the soap is easy to use and gives a good lather and although I love the scent, it is quite subtle. The Cologne has a little more "punch" but sadly doesn't stay with me for the whole day. Overall- great products and I am happy to use them, but I won't be using them every day........
I shaved with the Arly stick, Simpson's CH-1/S2, Mühle R89, and a Sharps blade (2), finished off with a ClubmanRob-style bay rum and witch-hazel mixture. This is the first time I've used Arlington since... February?
Naturally I face-lathered, and the lather was excellent. The scent was stronger than I remembered: for me it's a mixture of cedar-box and sandalwood. I don't see the resemblance to Tabac that some have mentioned, but everyone is different.
Naturally I face-lathered, and the lather was excellent. The scent was stronger than I remembered: for me it's a mixture of cedar-box and sandalwood. I don't see the resemblance to Tabac that some have mentioned, but everyone is different.
I'm a bit biased since DR Harris Arlington was my first good soap. I can whip up a batch of quality lather with this faster than anything else due to sheer repetition. I like the clean and subtle scent of the puck, but the aftershave has a definite "lemon drop" scent to it up front that fades into a sweet grassy smell. It only lasts a couple of hours but can be easily overpowered with any EDT.
What the heck, I'll link my SOTD here for relevance too. I apologize for the photography.
What the heck, I'll link my SOTD here for relevance too. I apologize for the photography.
Of course, scents are very much a case of YMMV, but in your case, I would start to wonder if maybe you have a Marlborough stick in an Arlington container?!
That would be amusing. But it's at least as likely that I'm poor at deconstruction of scents, or that we mean vastly different things by simple terms like "cedar-box". This is why I enjoy wine tastings: we both have the thing in front of us, and can make some attempt to bridge both perceptual differences and differences in terminology.
I see where micah1_8 compared Arly to 4711. It happens I have a bottle of 4711 right here next to the shave stick... and I am willing to go along with Micah. The Arly is like 4711 without the alcohol, and with a good whack of cedar.
Of course, I'm making these comparisons while the scent of lilac vegetal still lingers on my fingertips. Sorry about that.
Hmm, if that's the case I may have to try some Marlborough. Hes right, I wouldn't put those scents in the same category as Arlington.
I have the shave stick which I bought for travel purposes. The scent is fantastic but something in there does not agree with me, I suspect the anti-oxidant orhtotolyl biguanide. When I have shaved with it my skin is so red that I could act as an ambulatory stop-light. A fellow B&B member suggested washing/scraping the outermost layer after which it should be fine. Have any of you had this problem.
Sorry to hear of this Erik. I have never had the problem, so I can't really guide you but maybe scraping off some of the soap and lathering with the newly uncovered part of the stick might help answer your question!?
Hey everyone. I'm very interested in Harris Arlington soap, but I am not sure if the scent is something that will agree with me based on descriptions. I got a PIFed puck of almond by Jeremy and have been using it for June and I love the lather, but the scent is only so-so to me. I am hesitant to pull the trigger on a puck at TESC (but sort of motivated because of the free ship deal) because I'd have to spend ~20 bucks to try 2 items I'm not sure I'd like.
Would it be possible for someone to shave/carve off a tiny piece of their arlington soap and put it in a regular envelope and mail it to me so I can just get a whiff of it? I would be more than willing to reimburse you for the stamp
Would it be possible for someone to shave/carve off a tiny piece of their arlington soap and put it in a regular envelope and mail it to me so I can just get a whiff of it? I would be more than willing to reimburse you for the stamp
I just got my puck of Arlington in the mail today. The scent was different from what I was expecting; a very citrusy, powdery smell, with grassy notes. I quite like it. As has been mentioned, the scent is very subtle, unlike Tabac. Between the two, I prefer the scent of the Arlington. I'm really looking forward to shaving with it.
I agree with you about the comparison of Arlington to 4711.
I also think that Arlington smells like Trix cereal (from what I remember).
I doubt anyone will agree with me on that, though.- Thread starter
- #15
Can't wait to hear what you think of it!
Huge Arlington fan here, but my only complaint is that the soap doesn't seem to perform as well as the other Harris soaps. The lavender produces a much thicker lather that makes the Arlington seem slighty thin and airy by contrast.
I've always been intrigued by the intra-brand variations within a product line.
I've always been intrigued by the intra-brand variations within a product line.
Bought my 'Arlington' this week based on the strength of reviews on this site... I've used Pirate's Cove before, and then some creams, including the big P. So this was my first big brand soap, and as such came with high expectations...
... and it doesn't disappoint.
I bought a slant razor at the same time, used some orange Gillette blades, and lathered up using the Arlington. Marvellous. Not a single nick, no irritation.
The sensation of the soap on my skin suprised me, having used Proraso in the past with its cooling effect, Arlington was warm and heavy I found, but not in a bad way. I'd definately recommend it to others.
I combnined it with T&H pre shave oil and finished my shave off with GFT Lime skin food. A citrus party taking place on mny face, and i loves it!!
But, just a quick question, how long do others lather up using this soap, i mean is there an ideal number of swirls on the puck to build the best lather? I use a Shavemac silvertip and Kent BK8 in rotation if that makes a difference...
DR Harris is a brand i will definately use again, very happy with the quality.
... and it doesn't disappoint.
I bought a slant razor at the same time, used some orange Gillette blades, and lathered up using the Arlington. Marvellous. Not a single nick, no irritation.
The sensation of the soap on my skin suprised me, having used Proraso in the past with its cooling effect, Arlington was warm and heavy I found, but not in a bad way. I'd definately recommend it to others.
I combnined it with T&H pre shave oil and finished my shave off with GFT Lime skin food. A citrus party taking place on mny face, and i loves it!!
But, just a quick question, how long do others lather up using this soap, i mean is there an ideal number of swirls on the puck to build the best lather? I use a Shavemac silvertip and Kent BK8 in rotation if that makes a difference...
DR Harris is a brand i will definately use again, very happy with the quality.
I love Arlington soap, very subtle scent, I was prompted to buy the soap after buying the aftershave.
I don't get any woodsiness at all from either product, it is predominantly a citrus scent to my nose, and a nice one at that. The aftershave dries down to a slightly different scent that is also very nice, which I assume is the fern.
I don't get any woodsiness at all from either product, it is predominantly a citrus scent to my nose, and a nice one at that. The aftershave dries down to a slightly different scent that is also very nice, which I assume is the fern.
All I can say about this soap is I want one 
I already got the Arlington cologne and aftershave so this is the missing bit.
I already got the Arlington cologne and aftershave so this is the missing bit.FYI.
Someone's getting rid of some pucks on B/S/T
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=151110
Someone's getting rid of some pucks on B/S/T
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=151110
