Tabac or PdP??

[theturducken]

I had Tabac a while ago and traded it to another member because the smell just got to me. I am somewhat sad now b/c my lathering technique has dramatically improved and I did enjoy the performance of the Tabac. On a quest for a new soap I went to Schillers Pharmacy in Pittsburgh and picked up some Pre de Provence. I like the smell WAY more than Tabac, and the practice lather I whipped up seemed fantastic.

What to the gentlemen of B&B have to say about PdP? What are the pros/cons of it compared to Tabac?

 

[Seraphim]

If you liked the way Tabac lathered, but not the scent, you could also try some of the Art of Shaving soaps. Lavenedar, Sandalwood, Lemon, Unscented. they give a very similar lather to the Tabac.

 

[DSB]

You may also want to try the Irisch Moos. It is hard to find, but made by the same people who make Tabac. It's available in a shaving cream and a shaving stick. You would always mill the stick into an empty tub.

 

[The National Razor]

I love both of them and neither can replace the other. PdP is one magnificent soap, as the "favorite soap" thread shows (look how many votes were cast for PdP

 

[Schwert]

I use both TABAC and PdP. I much much prefer the smell of PdP...it is actually a grand smell compared to TABAC.

I think TABAC lathers up easier but the quality of the shave for me is much the same as PdP.

If someone offered me a tin of PdP or a cake of TABAC I would take the PdP in a heartbeat.

When my TABAC is used up I will not be in any rush to replace it....

 

[Aaron01]

I think the PdP lathers similarly to Tabac, maybe a little creamier. But I enjoy the performance and scent of both soaps.

 

[theturducken]

good to hear some strong votes for the PdP! I really like the smell so far, and will know how it works tomorrow morning, I will be sure to update the experience.

 

[BEAR DEN]

You may also want to try the Irisch Moos. It is hard to find, but made by the same people who make Tabac. It's available in a shaving cream and a shaving stick. You would always mill the stick into an empty tub.

+1 on the MOOS!!

 

[cymric]

What to the gentlemen of B&B have to say about PdP? What are the pros/cons of it compared to Tabac?

Odd you should start this thread at this moment, as I have been shaving with PdP exclusively for the past 6 or 7 weeks and today switched to Tabac for a single time (which I have been using for months on end at one point) to try something out.

Personally---that's the rub with these things---the two soaps yield an equally good shave. No irritation, no nicks, BBS, without undue touching up, skin soft and smooth during the cold water rinse, no dryness afterwards. It doesn't get any better than that. Tabac has the edge in a couple of things, though. The lather is more stable in that it evaporates much more slowly, it's a bit slicker, it is more easily generated, and it has a wider range of operating parameters in that more water can be added while retaining a good product to shave with. However, PdP is cheaper per unit weight, and if you care about that sort of thing, completely vegetal in origin. (Which, given its shaving quality, is an impressive achievement in its own right.) The scent might be an issue for some, too, although I like both equally.

To summarise: for me Tabac is an eensy teensy tiny little bit better than PdP (because of lather stability and being more generous with water---mistakes when you're still sleepy are easily made ...) but I'm sufficiently impressed with PdP to add it to my very small general rotation. And to me that is really saying something. For other people the differences may be more pronounced, causing them to favour one or the other in a more clear fashion. But I can't imagine that would be a difference of day and night, though. 12:00 PM and 12:15 PM is more likely.

One tip which may or may not work for you, but did for me: PdP only started giving me excellent shaves if I left the lather more concentrated and noticably creamy than I use on average. And I should add that my experiences are based with a tin of PdP which does not list shea butter in the ingredient list. (Yes, these exist!) I have one with shea butter on the way right now, though.

 

[theturducken]

So i used the PdP today for the first time. I was impressed with the smell throughout the whole shave, (the tabac is just not for me in that regard) how lightly the scent lingered after the cold rinse. I made the lather with my C&E superbadger brush, ala Jim tutorial and had enough lather for two face passes and two head passes, very good all the way through!

Because i had gone back to the M3 last week my face was butchered (neck has spots, cuts, bumps, redness, all the good stuff) and I only did 2xWTG with my blackhandle SS and a new Crystal today. As far as the lather goes, it is top notch, my face feels repaired a bit after the PdP shave.

The shave itself was bad because of my previous M3 Damage, and poor DE technique, and because I only did wtg. The PdP is looking very good, so good that it makes me realize that my technique is the real culprit here. I think I'm going to still pick up the Tabac again and deal with the smell beacause I think now I could really get some great shaves out of it. Im seeing my fall rotation as PnP, Tabac, MB Aged Spice, MB Awakenings.....I'll keep some VDH Deluxe and Williams around just as respect to the drugstore brands.

 

[cymric]

Little word of advice, especially if technique is still a thing to consider: don't let your rotation grow too big. You already have 6 soaps, that's a lot. I find it takes me at least a dozen shaves before I truly hit the sweet spot of a latherable product, and am able to hit it consistently. All the time the blade is dulling too, and what can be a good consistency for a sharp blade can be terrible for a dull one. And I've got my technique 99,9% down pat. I know it is hard to resist changing, but the less variables you have to deal with, the better. Pick products with scents you like, because otherwise the temptation to switch will be augmented.

 

[Hodari D.]

PdP is awesome! Love the scent and the lather. it's a great value at 150grams per soap plus you get the tin. I find tabac lather to be thicker compared to PdP but both provide outstanding shave preps. enjoy it and don't look back!

If you want something more tabac-like as to the thickness of the lather, try Art of Shaving soaps.

 

[KenR]

Both PdP and Tabac are in my rotation and perform quite well. I can't really tell any difference in the quality of the shave between the two. The only difference to me is that I use Tabac a little less during the summer, it seems to be a warmer fragrance more suitable to cooler temps. Conversely, PdP is perfect for the summer heat. The fern/citrus scent is just the thing.