Razorock: differences in lines

[lowcountry_sc]

So I was all set to buy some RR last night after having a positive result with Zi Peppino and asking some questions on a recent thread. Another forum member mentioned that RR La Famiglia was a rebranded version of a separate soap maker, and just when I had my head wrapped around that, I went to the RR website, which opened up a whole new birds nest of questions; rendering my shopping cart still empty.

Apparently they have several different lines: the La Famiglia, RR Shaving Cream Soaps, RR Artisan Shaving Soaps, and finally King Louis and 888 Karite Shaving Soaps.

From information on the websites, their La Famiglia are coconut based, and the RR Shaving Cream Soaps are coconut and palm oil based. Their RR Artisan shaving soaps are listed as primarily (7 out of 8) tallow based. For the King Louis and 888, it only says that they are "essential oils based" which is confusing, because I thought that referred to scent...

SO my questions are as follows; no need to point out YMMV as I'm not looking for censored answers, just your opinions.
1.) Is there any primary noticeable difference between coconut and palm oil?
2.) Is there any advantage of tallow over coconut oil? or vice-versa?
3.) When RR mentions that their RR Shaving Cream soap line is "sold under different brands in Italy and are loved by millions of Italian men" just what exactly are they talking about? What products are loved by millions of Italian men yet unable to have zero market presence outside of Italy?
4.) Anyone know specifically what base oils are used in King Louis and 888, other than "essential" ones?

Not trying to be complicated, just trying to understand this whole wild and crazy new world of soaps...Figured I'd start with one I liked.

 

[JHP]

1. I understand that coconut oil makes wonderful lather, but can dry out the skin (of some people?) when used in large quantities. Don't know about palm oil. Look at mike's naturals site. He has a page describing all of theses fats.

2. Personal opinion. Seems there are quality products made with/without tallow.

3. Good question. Maybe Mr. RR himself will answer! My guess is that it's an OEM deal like Sears. They don't really make the lawn mowers, Toro does (or someone like that), but its an opportunity for Toro to expand into a market they wouldn't otherwise have access to, with no marketing or distribution effort or expense.

4. They are karite soaps. Karite is French for Shea nut butter, I believe.

I have to admit that I'm in the same position you are in. I want to analyse everything and get the best shaving widget or soap based on ingredient lists, user reviews, and the scientific method. I'm realizing, we are just going to have to try things and see what's best for each of us.

RR has very good soaps. I get amazing lather from my artisan line. I mentioned on your other thread that I want to try the King Louis/888, mostly because I want to try a Karite based soap. I now know the tallows are wonderful.

Have you read the 3017 thread? There are guys out there with stock piles of soap that will take years and years to work through. I'm trying to avoid that, despite my interest to try everything ASAP. If you order more than 1 soap, at least get them from the different categories and not just different scents. Then you are expanding your experience base.

Just pick a couple. You really can't go wrong! But don't go crazy because there are roughly 3 months of shaves in each of those tubs!

Keep us posted on what you chose, and how it works out!

Josh

 

[lowcountry_sc]

just about nailed all of 'em, josh...now what are people supposed to post about? thanks man.

and since you did so well, one more: if RR la famiglia is just rebranded Tcheon Fung Sing soaps does that mean there is no difference at all between the soaps?

 

[Hippie Kai Yay]

I hear all the soaps are good, but the King Louis and 888 are the cream of the crop. Essential oils are less likely to irritate skin, and in some cases, may have benefits, in my humble opinion. When I buy soaps and creams, I tend to only buy soaps with EO's (essential oils) rather than FO's (fragrance oils), since FO scented soaps are "usually" synthetic and tend to irritate people's faces, depending on their sensitivity and how much is in the soap. Look to Mama Bear's Dragon Blood shaving soap for example (no offense to the Mama Bear! Gimme a big ol' Mama Bear Hug!!)

So, for Razorock's line, if you want the best and/or you are sensitive to scents of synthetic structure (alliteration FTW!), go with the King Louis and 888. Hopefully one of those will end up under the Festivas tree. If not, well... As soon as the last of the gift wrap hits the floor, an order will be made

oh, P.S.: while I tend to hit up only EO soaps, very light FO soaps, where scent is faint or at the near end of the ingredient list, still end up in my rotation. Looking at you, MWF and Cella!

 

[JHP]

if RR la famiglia is just rebranded Tcheon Fung Sing soaps does that mean there is no difference at all between the soaps?

Fred. I don't know. I haven't used either yet. It's not clear to me if RR is re-branded TFS, or if there is a third company that sells soap to both of them. I think the later.

If you do a search, or even just scroll through the threads, about 2 weeks ago there was a thread that Joseph from RR and the American TFS importer both chimed in on the relationship between their products.

Josh

 

[JHP]

Hey Fred! What is it?! Did you order some soap? What did you choose? Don't think you can just slip by without letting us know!

 

[lowcountry_sc]

I cheated! I bought some Tea Party for my brother (who I'm trying to covert to DE shaving). I'll get a chance to sample it(!) when I show him how to lather...

 

[JHP]

I cheated! I bought some Tea Party for my brother (who I'm trying to covert to DE shaving). I'll get a chance to sample it(!) when I show him how to lather...

Good stuff. I enjoy the sent.

 

[Teddyboy]

I have both 888 and King Louis. Both give some of the finest lathers I've had. They are both on the hard side which is different from many other RzRk products.

 

[lowcountry_sc]

Ted, I'm definitely going to give one of those a shot after I recover from Christmas... Do you have a preference between the two?

 

[lowcountry_sc]

JHP, I kept hearing good things about the scent...Can't wait to try it out.

 

[Big Jay]

I am going to piggyback on this. I was actually going to post this thread almost exactly.

Can someone describe the consistencies of the different lines? I know the artisan series is a soft soap.

I have Tea Party and absolutely love it.

 

[lowcountry_sc]

Big Jay, I'll PM you the exact message someone sent me...cleared things up tremendously...

 

[JHP]

Big Jay, I'll PM you the exact message someone sent me...cleared things up tremendously...

Hey! I wanna hear the answer too! Either PM me too, or post up here!

 

[inspiringK]

Hey! I wanna hear the answer too! Either PM me too, or post up here!

Yeah, why the secrecy? Post on!

 

[Big Jay]

One thing I just discovered (and someone please, correct me if I'm wrong), is:

Artisan series are the only tallow based soaps
EXCEPT FOR: Muguet de France

The other lines do not have tallow in them (from what I can tell).

 

[lowcountry_sc]

Figured if the poster wanted to post here he would have so I was respecting his wishes. Didn't think about just taking his name out of it...If he wants to take credit for it, so be it, but I'll just put the body of the PM...

The TFS made RazoRock Famiglia soaps all have the same formula, only the scents are different. All are great performers but I've read that some of the scents are love it or hate it. Of the ones I tried my personal favorites were Zi' Peppino (TFS Tabacco Verde) and Don Marco (TFS Bergamotto Neroli).

Here is where it gets a bit confusing. When the RazoRock Famiglia soaps were released they were offered at a much lower price point than the TFS branded soaps. There is a thread about it here and here. Prior to the release of the Famiglia line the only way to get TFS soap was from one vendor,Barbiere Di Figaro in the Netherlands or through a group buy that was done a while back. Basically some could not accept that Joe, Italian Barber, could offer the same great soap as TFS at such a low price. I myself paid a much more for my TFS branded Bergamot Neroli that I did for my RazoRock Don Marco. I tested both side by side and they are the exact same soap.

Since the release of La Fagmila back in May I've noticed that the TFS branded soap has tried to distinguish itself by now offering the same soaps in "new" Aroma Intenso versions. These are the same formula as La Fagmilia but with stronger scent. They have also added a hard soap version. I bought a puck of TFS Tabacco Verde from Bullgoose a few months back an the scent is almost too strong for me. It has been airing out in my shave den. It is a fantastic performing hard soap but I prefer the less intense scent of the regular Zi' Peppino/Tabacco Verde. And in the last few months TFS has released even more soaps both in puck form and their traditional soft soap.

I found this thread from October that outlines the different RazoRock lines, check it out.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...zoRock-clarity

 

[Crixus]

I believe another difference with the King Louie and 888 is that these two have lanolin in the ingredients. I'm going on memory here, but IIR that was a dealbreaker for those lanolin-intolerant schlubs like myself. I've used products from all the other RazoRock lines with great success, including the pre-RazoRock Classic (Fitness for Man, Figaro) soaps.

 

[JHP]

I believe another difference with the King Louie and 888 is that these two have lanolin in the ingredients.

Wow. Lanolin and Karite. These soaps are custom made for Minnesota winters! Gotta give 'em a try. What does the 888 smell like?

 

[Crixus]

Wow. Lanolin and Karite. These soaps are custom made for Minnesota winters! Gotta give 'em a try. What does the 888 smell like?

I've never bought it, but it's a eucalyptus soap, so I would imagine that's part of the scent anyway.