Penhaligons EF Tallow - wow

[Yonjuro]

I received my bowl and puck of old formula Pens EF, generously sold to me by forumite Poonjaji (Michael)

I have just tried it out - with trepidation.

Box, fragrance, bowl everything was A++++ , but what about the shave?

I did a basic lather - inverting the bowl to load with a Rooney finest 1/2 and then moved to my new Georgetown G5 Scuttle to lather.

(I must say that the scuttle was smaller than I thought and having a poor result with MWF with a Simpson Tulip 3, I thought the scuttle would be relegated to creams only)

Lather - wow! this stuff was better than I had thought, absolutely wonderful,
I used my newly acquired Aristocrat Junior #53, and had the best BBS so far, in fact it was so good, I lathered my stubbled head and continued the whole way around

I finished with an alum block rub, a splash of THayers Witch hazel with cucumber, and then a nice splash of St Johns Bay Rum on head and face.

My face and head feels smooth, and moisturised - no need for an additional moisturiser right now.

If I could have only one shaving lubricant - this would be it. I must say I am gutted that this formulation is no longer available

THanks again Michael for the soap and the other goodies you sent with it - you are a champion in my books. If you ever come across another puck please keep me in mind

 

[davecmu]

The curse of knowing is sometimes worse than the curse of wondering. Welcome to the eternal torture of the idea that you will not be able to secure (reasonably) this product ever again.

That being said, I still shave with mine once a week if I can. It's just so good that I'd feel really bad if it was neglected in a drawer.

 

[texbilly]

I'm trying to lengthen my EF's life by using it only when I have time for a long, unhurried shave. And thank goodness I have so many other fine soaps and creams that distract me! Fine stuff.

 

[cfriend]

The curse of knowing is sometimes worse than the curse of wondering. Welcome to the eternal torture of the idea that you will not be able to secure (reasonably) this product ever again.

That being said, I still shave with mine once a week if I can. It's just so good that I'd feel really bad if it was neglected in a drawer.

+1

 

[SpyvSpy]

Another EF thread this stuff is great. I save mine for spring/summer shaves only (except for new years).

 

[thirdeye]

The curse of knowing is sometimes worse than the curse of wondering. Welcome to the eternal torture of the idea that you will not be able to secure (reasonably) this product ever again.

And this is why one should have stashed away a dozen bowls.....

This is one of the all time greats.....!

 

[Evbo]

This is one of the all time greats.....!

Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

 

[davecmu]

The curse of knowing is sometimes worse than the curse of wondering.

Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Touché

 

[Doc4]

Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

I remember every detail. The Germans wore grey, you wore blue, and I shaved with English Fern.

 

[Evbo]

I remember every detail. The Germans wore grey, you wore blue, and I shaved with English Fern.

"Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little shavers don't amount to a hill of soap in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that."

 

[riooso]

It really is amazing, isn't it? If someone has not tried it there is no way that one can relate to someone just how good Penn's EF really is. You will either get the "yea right" smile or else a "that is BS" look.


Later,
Richard

 

[GoldenMonkey]

Hell, I had a great shave with the reformulated version yesterday, and it is still awesome! Never tried the tallowy greatness, and I'm not gonna pay out the nose for the privelege, but man...that scent...drool...

 

[Seraphim]

Hell, I had a great shave with the reformulated version yesterday, and it is still awesome! Never tried the tallowy greatness, and I'm not gonna pay out the nose for the privelege, but man...that scent...drool...

You are, without a doubt, missing out.

Imagine that great scent, and along with it the easiest lathering, creamiest, dreamiest tallow suds imagineable.

 

[ProphetNoir]

Thanks for a great review Yonjuro. I was especially interested in the perspective of the first time experience with Pen's EF as I managed to score three bowls of the old formulation but have yet to try it. I guess I am saving it for a time when my technique is worthy. I have been a cream man from the beginning, but recently I have been using AoS Unscented soap to get used to the difference in lather building. So far I am loving the soap experience and now I am really, REALLY looking forward to breaking into my first puck of English Fern.

 

[beginish]

Thanks for a great review Yonjuro. I was especially interested in the perspective of the first time experience with Pen's EF as I managed to score three bowls of the old formulation but have yet to try it. I guess I am saving it for a time when my technique is worthy. I have been a cream man from the beginning, but recently I have been using AoS Unscented soap to get used to the difference in lather building. So far I am loving the soap experience and now I am really, REALLY looking forward to breaking into my first puck of English Fern.

Just do it! This soap is very forgiving of technique. You won't regret it.

 

[andrew98]

Just do it! This soap is very forgiving of technique. You won't regret it.

+1.

-Andy

 

[tweedcab]

There is so much praise of EF now that it has been reformulated into a non-tallow offering. I will preface this by saying that I have never lathered EF in either the tallow or new form, but how much of this God-like praise is related to "the best soap in the history of man" and how much is coming from the uber hype that accompanies high dollar, no longer available item's that are now being sold at more than retail everywhere they are still available? Don't crucify me guys, it's just that in the year or so that I've been on this forum I've never heard the super hype of EF until now. I'm just curious how much different the new version is to the tallow version. A company such as Pens, whose very reputation hinges on relatively few devotees, depends on their satisfaction to survive, and to deliver a sub par replacement would certainly jeopardize their longevity. I also see much praise from newbies which bolsters my hypothesis that the mystique may overshadow the reality. I have compiled a few emoticons that some of you may wish to respond with. :rik1:

 

[Ignatius]

Tweedcab, its always been superhyped. Perhaps its unavailability adds to it.

As to Pen's and their customer base. Well, the sad thing is their soaps are an insignificant part of their business; we just don't matter that much.

 

[Trendkill]

Tweedcab, it's worth every penny. Far and away the best soap I have ever used. The scent is fantastic as well.

 

[riooso]

Tweedcab, its always been superhyped. Perhaps its unavailability adds to it.

As to Pen's and their customer base. Well, the sad thing is their soaps are an insignificant part of their business; we just don't matter that much.

So.... that is why I don't buy anything from them any more. NADA! NOTHING! ZIP!


Later,
Richard