Trumpter's Violet

[ChiefBroom]

I recently picked up a new, sealed bowl of Trumpter's Violet shaving soap containing the old, tallow-based formulation. I've used it once, and it was special.

Yesterday the postman delivered a new, sealed bowl of Trumpter's Violet shaving soap with the new, glycerine-based formulation. I'm aware of the biases, but haven't paid close enough attention to adopt or develop any myself. For the most part, the soaps I use (Tabac, MWF, DR Harris Lavender, Cella, P.160) are all tallow based; however, I often combine them with what I assume to be glycerine-based creams (e.g., ToBS, Peterman's 1903).

I'm not in a good position to do a head to head comparison. I have two nearly identical M&F Blonde Badger brushes. I'll welcome any suggestions regarding how best to set up, conduct, and record this experiment.

 

[VT_Hokie]

I'd be interested in a good read. Never used the old stuff and it's obviously hard to come by so the point is kind of mute.

That being said, I found the new stuff absolutely wretched. Just awful.

I'd love to see how they stack up so I know what I missed out on.

 

[petr]

Same brushes. Same DE blade. Same DE razor. Lather shots of each. Hand shots of squeezed lather gives a feel for viscosity. Viscosity is the variable in my opinion. Pick the AS that stings the most for you (for me that was a Bay Rum) and slap it on post shave. Results are obvious. Comparing contrasting against other soaps is helpful. I'd shave with tabac the next day for example after taking notes.

Lather can look good, but not shave good.

 

[ChiefBroom]

Same brushes. Same DE blade. Same DE razor. Lather shots of each. Hand shots of squeezed lather gives a feel for viscosity. Viscosity is the variable in my opinion. Pick the AS that stings the most for you (for me that was a Bay Rum) and slap it on post shave. Results are obvious. Comparing contrasting against other soaps is helpful.

Lather can look good, but not shave good.

All good. What I was looking for. Think I may see if I can get one or two locals over to witness/judge. Could be interesting. Certainly give my wife something to laugh about.

 

[Kevan]

Trumper's soaps are all over the map. I have a veggie formulation sandalwood from 2008 that is awesome. An almond and rose from 2010/2011 that work, but are sub par. If your Violet is a new puck, expect it to be poor. And don't treat the results you get as "Tallow rules and veggie sucks!" Trumper isn't an example of a great veggie soap.

 

[ChiefBroom]

Trumper's soaps are all over the map. I have a veggie formulation sandalwood from 2008 that is awesome. An almond and rose from 2010/2011 that work, but are sub par. If your Violet is a new puck, expect it to be poor. And don't treat the results you get as "Tallow rules and veggie sucks!" Trumper isn't an example of a great veggie soap.

Thanks for the reply and info.

The old I have was described as follows: "Next up is a tallow bowl of Trumper Violet Shaving Soap purchased in 2002 from their shop in London with the puck still wrapped in cellophane. The tallow version of this soap shows the ingredients as shave soap base and toilet soap base. The scent is intoxicating."

The new one I just bought off amazon.com.

 

[petr]

also, I shave with tabac the day after I've tested soaps and taken notes. or, whatever your baseline irritation free shave soap is. It's enlightening sometimes.

 

[ChiefBroom]

also, I shave with tabac the day after I've tested soaps and taken notes. or, whatever your baseline irritation free shave soap is. It's enlightening sometimes.

Good suggestion.

 

[Judge Dredd]

For a standardised double-blind test as proposed, I'd suggest you lather the Trumpter's with a Pooney.