Too many wonderful choices!

[Elrod]

I'm new to wet shaving and still have yet to purchase a soap or cream other than the canned goop I have left over from my Mach 3 days. Needless to say, I am quite eager to move on to something of much higher quality (though still affordable). Two days ago I was convinced I was going to go for something from QCS, however after reading through more soap reviews then I'd like to say, I've fallen down the rabbit hole and now am helpless to decide between a few.

So, I'm currently trying to decide between:

Queen Charlotte Soaps

Mama Bear's Soaps

The Gentleman's Quarter

QED


As you can see, I have a soft spot for homemade/artisan soaps and would love to try them all, but as a poor college student that is not currently an option. So I'm going to have to resort to trusting you veterans. If you had to choose one of these soaps to use exclusively for a few months, which would it be and why?

 

[VT_Hokie]

I would go for Queen Charlotte first, followed by Mama Bears if you think you might enjoy glycerine

 

[wimbouman]

So, I'm currently trying to decide between:

Queen Charlotte Soaps

Mama Bear's Soaps

The Gentleman's Quarter

QED


As you can see, I have a soft spot for homemade/artisan soaps and would love to try them all, but as a poor college student that is not currently an option. So I'm going to have to resort to trusting you veterans. If you had to choose one of these soaps to use exclusively for a few months, which would it be and why?

My choice would be

1. Either the Mama Bear classics (Rosemary Mint, Ye Olde Barbershoppe) or the QC soaps. The latter are soft soaps, they are creamish.

2. TGC, nice scents but much more expensive.
leave that to later.

 

[grump]

What razor and brush will you be using? Is your razor mild or aggressive? Will you be bowl lathering or face lathering?

 

[mdevine]

They are all fine products with excellent reputations around here. I personally prefer triple milled and tallow based soaps to those that are glycerin based. I also have to be careful with some of the EOs in the artisan soaps. Although they are massed produced (if you can really label any shave soap this way), my favorites are AoS, MWF and Arko. The common thread, for me, would seem to be tallow.

 

[OBXBBS]

I have tried nearly all the mamma bears and havent found a bad one in the bunch...give these out as gifts and they are uniformly good

 

[ouch]

You owe it to yourself to try some of the true classics of this hobby, such as GFT and DRH. They may cost a bit more, but they last and last. AoS is making some of the finest soaps currently available, as well.

 

[Elrod]

Thank you all for your responses! While there are a huge range of opinions, this is really making me feel better about making a decision.

What razor and brush will you be using? Is your razor mild or aggressive? Will you be bowl lathering or face lathering?

I'll be using the badger hair brush that Larry Andro sells on whipped dog. The razor will either be a 9/16th or 5/8th hollow ground (not sure how hollow). As for technique, I'll probably try both face and bowl lathering to see which I prefer.

You owe it to yourself to try some of the true classics of this hobby, such as GFT and DRH. They may cost a bit more, but they last and last. AoS is making some of the finest soaps currently available, as well.

I most definitely will invest in some of these in the future, however as a college student on a tight budget, I try to put a limit on the amount I spend on non-essential items each month.

Besides, if it really is as good as you say, I could experience the not just the incredible paradigm shift of moving from canned goop to a good soap, but also from a good soap to a great soap!

 

[rsaltonstall]

The razor will either be a 9/16th or 5/8th hollow ground (not sure how hollow).

A straight user--mighty brave of you. I have been wet shaving for over fifteen years, and I still use a DE. Welcome to B&B!

 

[Seraphim]

TABAC.

A long lasting, damn fine shave soap that will last a loooong, long time. It's only ~$13 a puck too.

 

[ShavelockFoams]

Mama Bear's is the only soap on your list that I have used, and it is really good stuff. Lathers very easily, and the performance is second to none.