Exactly, I could get away with shaving with shampoo or hand soap when I was 16. Not the case anymore.
Simple soaps vs complex soaps- which do you prefer and why?
- Thread starter Sethology
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I think that all development of products is good for the experience and the competition. But it's always nice to go back in time and bring back nostalgic memories. That's why I make sure I buy enough of the cheap soaps that one day will develop a new formula.
It's bit like if I compare the "commodore 64" (if anyone remember the computer) with Playstation 5. I would probably choose the PS5 in most cases, but it's so fun to bring out the good old games every now and then
It's bit like if I compare the "commodore 64" (if anyone remember the computer) with Playstation 5. I would probably choose the PS5 in most cases, but it's so fun to bring out the good old games every now and then
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I know what you mean... The first car I ever drove was a piece of **** 1988 Honda. It was a very special feeling that'll I'll never forget just because it was my first and will always, for reasons of nostalgia and having had so many adventures in it, appreciate that year and model.
Now, would I recommend a normal person, with no such sentiment, go out and buy an 88 Honda? No.
I'd take a cue from nutritionists. If you can't pronounce the ingredient, it's probably man made, and you'd need to see a good case as to why it's in there in the first place.
If you have 8 botanicals that add scent then you're already over the limit, but you probably can pronounce them.
The Comodore 64 did have one thing that it took other companies years to deal with. The sound generator chip was much better.
Simple. Very simple.
Soaps and cosmetics are NOT required to be tested for safety or accurate ingredients in the US, its a common misconception.
I am eight years into the hobby now, and whereas for razors, blades, aftershaves, and less so brushes, I still succumb to an occasional fit of "acquisition disorder" and purchase yet more new products .... It is quite a different story with soaps.
I basically found "my" soaps. I have simply lost interest in other soaps. This is not a small feat, because I have loads and loads (and still more loads ...) of different shaving soap in my stash ... but I have resigned to the conclusion that I will likely never use them much, because I found the three that for me ends the quest to find the perfect soap. I found it. Period.
And so I can concentrate on other dimensions of adding variation to my daily shave. Like the blade. The razor. The brush. And not least, the aftershave ... the latter is where I mostly still indulge in experiments with new products. Brushes not much, I basically found my favourites too.
So -- what soaps are they - and what distinguishes my chosen soaps ..?
My chosen few are
__ Cella "brick" (Red, extra extra purissima)
__ Mitchell's Wool Fat (with tallow, of which I have an enormous stash)
__ Vitos (red "super")
These all seem to conform very well to your preferences, relatively few ingredients, and slick, which I too find is more important that 'density'/"cushion", whatever.
All my chosen ones load very fast, I can't be bothered spending much time loading soap first thing in the morning (when I shave). They just 'work', in short ... no effort "getting them" to work ... .
They don't have much scent, I like that. Scent is for the aftershave, I don't really care what a soap smells like. Soap just has to be fast to load, and super slick. And reasonably budget friendly. Some of those artisan soaps are ridiculously expensive ....
I prefer tried and tested more "traditional" soaps, at a price within reach for ordinary people.
Hell, it's just soap..!!
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For many years I had the great experience of camping in nany Vermont state parks. I would bring a fresh stick of arko, a couple of razors and a few cheap badgers and a small bottle of Pinaud Clubman.
I always enjoyed wonderful shaves and wondered why did I need anything else. Later as the artisan movement boomed, Knowing myself, I knew that I would I would need to draw some serious boundaries.
Over years, I found that I no longer was using the old chestnuts that I had loved. Today, I focus on the core soaps. MWF, Tabac, AOS and the newer Cyril R. Salter, Red Cella and Sue Darnell's Extra Super Vitoes, all tallow.
I also enjoy Arko and an assortment of tallow sticks. A few weeks ago, I started to revisit shave creams.
We live with an abundance of choices.
I always enjoyed wonderful shaves and wondered why did I need anything else. Later as the artisan movement boomed, Knowing myself, I knew that I would I would need to draw some serious boundaries.
Over years, I found that I no longer was using the old chestnuts that I had loved. Today, I focus on the core soaps. MWF, Tabac, AOS and the newer Cyril R. Salter, Red Cella and Sue Darnell's Extra Super Vitoes, all tallow.
I also enjoy Arko and an assortment of tallow sticks. A few weeks ago, I started to revisit shave creams.
We live with an abundance of choices.
Though FDA (FD&C) does not require product approval or release for soap and cosmetics, companies are held into account that their products do not contain prohibited ingredients considered to be unsafe, nor are mislabled/misbranded per intended use.
Most larger cosmetics corporations perform their due diligence as FDA has legal authority to inspect cosmetic establishments and cosmetics, generally after complaints.
If we're talking about scent, I gravitate to simple soaps with fewer "notes"...even single notes, which is why I appreciate MdC (Rose is rose, Agrumes is fresh citrus, Original is simply lavender and mint, and neither the Fougere or Vetiver seem overly complex to my nose). I also like Stirling soaps that are predominantly one note, like Glastonbury (patchouli) and Barbershop (fresh powder).
I don't care for many complex, cologne-y scents, like any Stirling soap that ends in "Man". The only homage I like is Piacenza (and Razorock xXx).
In fact, if I wear fragrance it is usually straight patchouli oil...and yes, just a dab to not offend those that aren't in my personal airspace.
I don't care for many complex, cologne-y scents, like any Stirling soap that ends in "Man". The only homage I like is Piacenza (and Razorock xXx).
In fact, if I wear fragrance it is usually straight patchouli oil...and yes, just a dab to not offend those that aren't in my personal airspace.
I would shave with bay rum for the rest of my life… and be quite happy.
I also shaved with Proraso white and blue for a long time, never seeking out other soaps.
It wasn’t until I found other community members that I got so many soaps. I still often only reach for the simplest scents.
I also shaved with Proraso white and blue for a long time, never seeking out other soaps.
It wasn’t until I found other community members that I got so many soaps. I still often only reach for the simplest scents.
I heartily agree with your whole post, I am the same way. A few years ago before I got back into wearing EDTs I would wear a dab of essential oil for fragrance. Usually vetiver or a combo of vetiver and lime. I actually got a lot of compliments on the vetiver/lime combo.
If Martin de Candre, Proraso cream, Fine Classic Tallow, Czech & Speake made by Valobra in the past, Saponificio Varesino are simple then I like simple. My first few years I was a devout fan of Barrister & Mann and maybe Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements plus a few others. I still have a stock pile of those soaps that I will probably never use again. I like the simple list better and can deal with less of all the fat stuff artisans cram in their tubs now of days.
Like you, I'm on the same page as you when it comes to shaving soap and the slickness of soaps. Out of curiosity, which soaps are your favorites that meet your requirement for slickness?
Vintage Old Spice
Vintage Yardley
Old formula Tabac
Old formula MWF
Stirling mutton
DR Harris
Cyril Salter
La Toja cream
Arko
MDC
There are others, but these off the top of my head
Thank you, there are 3 soaps on your list that i will buy and try, appreciate your message
You forgot Cella red. I like it much better than Arko and some of the others on the list. Nice and slick and feels good. I would also add ViJohn cream.
My favourites are Martin de Candre and Saponificio Varesino, also Proraso creams, Aqua di Parma, some GFT and T&H creams.
But I do love to lather up something with a more unusual, complex scent profile. Currently Noble Otter is ticking that box. It's a great soap. Mike's used to hit those notes for me but he doesn't ship to Europe anymore so I was glad to find NO. I like a good American style strong scented tallow soap.
But if I had to chose it would be from the first group, MdC or SV ideally.
But I do love to lather up something with a more unusual, complex scent profile. Currently Noble Otter is ticking that box. It's a great soap. Mike's used to hit those notes for me but he doesn't ship to Europe anymore so I was glad to find NO. I like a good American style strong scented tallow soap.
But if I had to chose it would be from the first group, MdC or SV ideally.
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