I finally tried Mike's Natural Soaps, and I can't believe I waited so long! I picked up the Vetiver scent, and the performance blew me away—slick, protective, and the post-shave feel is unreal. My skin feels so moisturized that I could skip balm altogether. I was so impressed that I immediately ordered two more tubs! Hungarian Lavender might be my favorite scent now. I've tried countless artisan and commercial soaps, from high-end to budget, and Mike's is hands down the best. It’s a great reminder that new doesn't always mean better. Just wanted to share and give a big shout-out!
Mike's Natural Soap -- Why didn't I try sooner?
- Thread starter chugmo
- Start date
He does very nice soaps, and it's impressive how they still stand up even though he hasn't changed his formula up like so many other artisans over the past x years. To be fair, the availability on his website isn't very consistent so you could definitely be forgiven for not having tried it sooner ;-)
Great pickup! I couldn't agree more! Mike's has great performance, post shave feel and is a fantastic value - that's a lot of amazing soap for $15
His Barbershop and Orange, Cedarwood and Black Pepper are two of my favorite soap scents ever.
His Barbershop and Orange, Cedarwood and Black Pepper are two of my favorite soap scents ever.
As a fan of unscented soaps, Mike’s is right there with the best available.
Been a long long time fan and user. He does great work, and I’m pretty sure this is still a side gig for him.
I check Mike's site everyday looking for Coconut to come back in stock. I've been looking for a long time but in the meantime his Pine & Cedarwood is back in stock so I grabbed it while I could.
Lemongrass & Eucalyptus, Vetiver and Orange, Cedarwood, Black Pepper are all excellent scents with my favorite of the trio being the one I'm using that day.
Lemongrass & Eucalyptus, Vetiver and Orange, Cedarwood, Black Pepper are all excellent scents with my favorite of the trio being the one I'm using that day.
I'd put Mike's up there with the more well-known (and expensive) soaps, from both large and small manufacturers. He's certainly my favorite soap maker. Orange, Cedarwood, & Black Pepper and Hungarian Lavender are two of my favorite scents, and I also enjoy Peppermint & Rosemary in the summer.
so you’re the guy I’m competing with!
I‘ve been using his soaps for about a solid decade and have a lot stashed up. As of late he hasn’t put as much into his soap business (newer kid, life being life). However I’ve tried sample upon sample, popular soap upon popular soap, and it’s just been impossible to dethrone his product (to me).
Other soaps come out with new scents, gimmicks, and marketing. However if you have the means to stock up when your favorite soaps are available from Mike’s and put a little effort into paying attention for when they are in stock he provides an amazing product at a great value.
If you look at a lot of popular soaps you’ll actually see a lot of similarities in ingredients, however Mikes just sort of was one of the early artisan Pioneers and the big companies went so far as to copy a lot of what he did.
I've got some more shave stuff on the way.
Two tubs: Vetiver. Pine & Cedarwood.
Two tubs: Vetiver. Pine & Cedarwood.
lol - No, I think you mean @Chan Eil Whiskers. He's the Master of the Mike's at the moment.
I live in Portland and when I started wet shaving years ago I figured there had to be a local shaving soap maker. I mean, it's Portland! Mike's popped right up from a search and bam my first shaving soaps were from him. What a lucky introduction to wet shaving!
I've branched out some since there, but a big chunk of my soap shelf are Mike's jars and backups.
Couldn't resist. Got a tub of Lime on the way.
I remember he when he operated in Brooklyn!
His product is amazing. I have ones easier for traveling and a lot of old Art of Shaving Tallow sandalwood I got for cheap when it was being clearanced (An amazing protective lather but not much in terms of the post shave) Some soaps are better in certain ways, but all around it’s hard to beat Mike’s.
A minimum every person should at least try his soaps, they are that good. If he ever decides to stop I hope he at least passes on the formula. Someone willing to put into it full time/market it could make a lot. He was a great one man operation.
Ok you got me. Three tubs on the way to try. This place $$$$
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
Thanks for the compliment, Adam. It is certainly true that I like Mike's soaps. Most days I use one of his shaving soaps. Mostly Coconut.
That was a lucky day for me, too, Adam.
I had heard of Mike's soaps, but probably wouldn't have tried them if you hadn't introduced me to Mike's Unscented. As I recall, my interest was in finding a great scentless soap. What I discovered was a great base which happened to be unscented.
As you know, Mike offers only his one long ago perfected base. To me this is a huge selling point. Why mess with perfection?
You'll recall our lengthy conversation about Mike's soaps, and perhaps this thread, Which of Mike's Natural Soaps Do You Like? | Your Reviews | & Mine.
Occasionally I think about buying something else, but nothing I've acquired in forever pleases me more than Mike's.
Happy shaves,
Jim
I have read that Mike’s Barbershop scent is essentially identical to Maggard’s London Barbershop. I have Maggard’s London Barbershop soap (sample) and their EDT and Witch Hazel Tonic - absolutely love the scent
I've been using Mike's since he first started making soaps. Mike's is my #1 soap, nothing gives me a better shave or post shave feel. I'm trying to use up my other soaps, all of which are really good but for me they are just a step below. If I ever finish my soap stash I might just go all Mike's all the time.
I am knee deep in Mike’s Barbershop. I was lucky to receive these from a friend of my mrs. She brought them over. I am about to finish my first tub - good for probably 200+ shaves.
I have and really enjoy his Orange, Cedarwood, and Black Pepper. Mike’s is great stuff
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