Newbie buying first soap

[Sobriquet]

I've been wetshaving for about 6 months thanks to B&B and I'm ready to try my first soap. For creams, I've tried TOBS St. James, Proraso (loved it!), Nancy Boy (still working on my cream/water ratio), and Kiss My Face unscented.

I'm thinking about trying AOS Lavender soap. Is that a good starter? I have a cologne I wear (Marc Jacobs) that I love, so I'm not looking for something that is VERY scent heavy or is persistent. I don't love the Kiss My Face cream because it doesn't offer much in the way of cushion or protection, so I'd like to get something that's a bit "thicker" on the soap front. That's why I'm thinking something other than a glycerin. I'm using a Merkur HD with Gillette Swedes.

One of the main reasons I want to buy the soap is for my travel kit to face lather with a brush. Can you guys recommend where to find a metal soap tin that screws or snaps shut locally? I know West Coast Shaving sells them, but I just put an order in from them and don't want to pay shipping for a $2 tin. Come to think of it... if you can think of a shaving STICK that might be similar to AOS Lavender, that might be just what the doctor ordered.

Thank you, gentlemen.

 

[Sobriquet]

Just had an idea... I think I remember reading you can melt some soaps. If I buy a metal tin for spices that screws down, can I melt the puck into the tin somehow?

 

[Myanmar Shave]

Can you guys recommend where to find a metal soap tin that screws or snaps shut locally? I know West Coast Shaving sells them, but I just put an order in from them and don't want to pay shipping for a $2 tin.
Thank you, gentlemen.

Sobriquet-

Just pick up a tin of Pre de Provence soap. West Coast sells it very reasonably. It's a super soap--great smelling and the tin it comes in is really nice and good for travel.

As a soap newbie you'd be hard pressed to find a better soap. On second thought, Cella is awesome as well and has a nice container albeit plastic.

Treat yourself and get both!!! Yeah, that's it!!!

all the best,

Marty E.

sorry--I misread your post about already ordering from WCS and not wanting to place an additional order--I can certainly understand not wanting to duplicate shipping charges...But for the future, Cella and PdP are a good way to go for travellers...

 

[Cities]

Come to think of it... if you can think of a shaving STICK that might be similar to AOS Lavender, that might be just what the doctor ordered.

You should check out the Valobra shave stick. It has been rumored (confirmed?) that AoS soaps are manufactured by Valobra.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?ltr=V&t=43299

 

[Sobriquet]

How is the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap?

 

[tattooer601]

Im very new as well..... however I have used the readily avalible shaving soap puks, that are avalible to me locally, with very satisfying results
Williams shaving soap.....CVS, walgreens...etc
VDH...avalible @ walmart....

 

[memoryleak]

Sobriquet-

On second thought, Cella is awesome as well and has a nice container albeit plastic.

+1. Cella is bella !

Splurge on your next go round, Cella is so much a step up from drug store soaps and not a whole lot more $$$ either.

 

[insomb]

Just tried Cella, that scent is kinda' strange IMO, but it works well.

 

[Leche]

I wouldn't start with MWF as some find it to be very finicky. You can't melt every soap, only melt and pours and even then. Just ask before you melt. For all others you can mill. See the help sticky. VDH Delux obtained locally is fine as are the artisan makers; Susies, Mama Bears, SCS, Prairie Creations, etc. Tabac is an awesome tallow soap and that is personally where I would start.

 

[BarryR]

I've been wetshaving for about 6 months thanks to B&B and I'm ready to try my first soap. For creams, I've tried TOBS St. James, Proraso (loved it!), Nancy Boy (still working on my cream/water ratio), and Kiss My Face unscented.

I'm thinking about trying AOS Lavender soap. Is that a good starter? quote]
AOS soaps are great, but they're fairly pricey so unless you get a good deal, I'd started with something less expensive so you can get an idea of what you like.

Just had an idea... I think I remember reading you can melt some soaps. If I buy a metal tin for spices that screws down, can I melt the puck into the tin somehow?

You absolutely cannot melt hard-milled soaps, only glycerin. Most of the traditional brands or hard-milled.

How is the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap?

I wouldn't start with MWF as some find it to be very finicky. You can't melt every soap, only melt and pours and even then. Just ask before you melt. For all others you can mill. See the help sticky. VDH Delux obtained locally is fine as are the artisan makers; Susies, Mama Bears, SCS, Prairie Creations, etc. Tabac is an awesome tallow soap and that is personally where I would start.

MWF is fabulous! Some do find it hard to lather though (I think it's a minority) so I would agree with waiting. Though it would be an excellent 2nd choice.

Tabac is a fine choice it's very reasonably priced, lathers very well and gives a great shave. Some love the smell which is a little strong, some find it off-putting (I'm a little to the favorable side of neutral on that).

Other good medium priced choices would include C&E, DR Harris and T&H. Also Trumpers and TOBS have good reputations but I haven't used those.

 

[Cookie_Junkie]

Hi!

+1 on the Valobra stick as it IS the maker of AOS soaps, performs great whatsoever and will be very convenient in any travel kit.

Now, if you want to try another great soap (also available in stick form, though), why not think of a D.R. HARRIS Arlington puck. Afraid you might find the scent too powerful? Go for their Almond then, it's almost unscented. Trust me, these soaps are worth way much more than the few bucks you're gonna shell out.

Looking for a true gem on budget. Here's a king of a stick once again; try the Palmolive stick. It has a neutral scent and is packed with tallow!!

Good luck with your soaps and don't forget to focus on your lathering technique first...

Enjoy!
C_J

 

[Hughies_online]

Using a shave stick when traveling is better than using a metal container IMO. Less questions and it (being plastic) wont warrant querying after xrays

 

[Uncle Shakey]

Use Prairie Creations. I face lather and this stuff is wonderful. The Tabac has sat on the side since I got it. It comes in a plastic container that has a screw on lid. Its a cold process soap and will last much longer than a glycerin. It also comes in many different scents. I know for a fact one of them is lavender.

 

[BarryR]

Now, if you want to try another great soap (also available in stick form, though), why not think of a D.R. HARRIS Arlington puck. Afraid you might find the scent too powerful? Go for their Almond then, it's almost unscented. Trust me, these soaps are worth way much more than the few bucks you're gonna shell out.

Arlington scent too powerful?
I guess there must be some who think so, but it seems quite pleasant and mild to me.

 

[mdunn]

sticks are great.

if you want to make your own, instead of melting a triple milled soap you can cut it up into chunks/grate it up and then smoosh it all back together

 

[Cookie_Junkie]

Arlington scent too powerful?
I guess there must be some who think so, but it seems quite pleasant and mild to me.

Well Barry, Arlington is actually among my favorite scents, hence my advice, but still, however lovely, the OP asked for neutral/unscented as opposed to his colognes.... Oh well, to each his own!

I'm glad we'd both agree on the Arlington. And if you're afraid it won't match your cologne.....well...D.R. HARRIS has the Arlington cologne too!!

C_J

 

[ctakim]

Start with Tabac so you have a reference standard, then expand your collection and experience.

 

[Empty Words]

How is the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap?

It is the best soap that I have used. Some people may not suggest MWF as a first soap because it can be a bit difficult to lather, but I got a great lather from it by the second shave. Williams was my first soap and that was a lot more difficult to lather than MWF.

One of the main reasons I want to buy the soap is for my travel kit to face lather with a brush. Can you guys recommend where to find a metal soap tin that screws or snaps shut locally? I know West Coast Shaving sells them, but I just put an order in from them and don't want to pay shipping for a $2 tin. Come to think of it... if you can think of a shaving STICK that might be similar to AOS Lavender, that might be just what the doctor ordered.

Thank you, gentlemen.

West Coast Shaving sells MWF (which fits in the metal tin) and Cella (my second favorite soap) which comes in a good container for travel that has a screw on lid. Valobra, Speick, Palmolive, Arko (if you tolerate the scent), Tabac and Irisch Moos are all good soap sticks. The first four come wrapped in foil, but Tabac and Irish Moos both come in nice containers with screw on lids.

 

[andrew98]

Arlington scent too powerful?
I guess there must be some who think so, but it seems quite pleasant and mild to me.

Arlington is definitely a favorite of mine. I also agree that Pre de Provence is a good option because of its wonderful performance, the tin, and it's a big puck for the money (150g for about $13).

I like the La Toja shave sticks. I use it every other shave these days. Great soap, I love the fragrance, and it comes with a vented plastic cover, which makes it travel friendly. The Palmolive shave stick is possibly the best bang for the buck out there, but they're just wrapped in foil. La Toja's "container" is quite nice for travel.

Personally, I don't find any of my soaps' fragrances hang around after I rinse my face. Soaps tend to have a lot less fragrance in them than creams, IMO.

-Andy

 

[Sobriquet]

Wow, thanks for the replies! Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to head over to a local shaving boutique (one of the benefits of being in a big city) and see what they have in stock. If they don't have some of the stuff you gentlemen recommend, I may end up putting an order in online. I know they have Truefitt & Hill and Trumper, so I'm hopeful they'll have some decent stuff.

I'm not against things with scents, but I'd prefer them to not linger too long. The TOBS St. James cream I have has a nice fragrance, but it doesn't seem to be noticeable on the skin for long after shaving.

It seems like Tabac gets a lot of recommendations and the MWF has its fans, too. Is there a post somewhere that explains the benefits/drawbacks of tallow, glycerin, and lanolin soaps?