Van Der Hagen Soap

[carldamnit]

Hey guys
I have been M.I.A. for a while. I was trying so many products it was hard to keep track. I decided to step away from B n B for a bit. The best thing I have learned here is that everyone has their own journey, and no one product is the best for everyone.

In simplifying, I have really been enjoying the Van Der Hagen Deluxe soap I purchased locally. IMHO it smelled like puke when I first opened it but, unlike arko, it loses its smell if left open and is the best soap I have used "for me".

I am about to pull the trigger on some blades (Gillette 7 O'clock yellows, russian) and am thinking of trying the VDH Luxury. I am not sure the performance can get better, just looking for a better smelling product.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Miesterio]

Walgreens seems to carry VDH Products in their stores. So if you have a walgreens close by getting a puck of the luxury shouldn't be too hard.

 

[mftoms59]

~98% (percentage is purely fictional) of VDH Deluxe users say the Luxury performs better, they also offer the Luxury Soap unscented.

 

[TonyJoe]

~98% (percentage is purely fictional) of VDH Deluxe users say the Luxury performs better, they also offer the Luxury Soap unscented.

Agree with this statement 100%.

Although, I like the scent of the Deluxe better than the scented Luxury. That's more of a personal thing as the scented Luxury does smell nice.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Carl:
Glad you're liking VDH (Luxury Scented is my one & only 'go-to'), soap(s). My advice...try the Luxury...you won't be disappointed!

Review Date: Mon April 22, 2013

Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $3.25 | Rating: 10

Positive aspects of the product (pros):	Lather, Lubrication, Cushion and ease of Glide aspects.
Cons:	None Noticed.
Price:	9
Quality:	10
Scent:	8
Lather:	10
Efficacy:	10
Moisturizing:	9

Price: Rating 9 Moderately priced at $9.74 for 3 pucks plus shipping. Quality: Rating 10 These very light white color pucks are 2 ¾ inches in diameter across, 1 inch in depth and weigh approximately 3 ½ ounces each (much bigger than the Deluxe [by 1oz in weigh]). "These hypoallergenic shave soaps are produced one small batch at a time using a unique kettle process. Each shave soap contains over 10% glycerin as well as emollient shea, mango & cocoa butter to help soften the beard and improve razor glide for a close, comfortable shave that leaves skin feeling soft and smooth". The three butters produces an incredible lather and each puck is made with high quality ingredients...no harsh chemicals to irritate my face. Scent: Rating: 8 Faint 'fresh' and floral scent. Lather: Rating 10 Wow!!! This Soap really generates a lot of incredible lather and this lather is nice and thick. Water retention of this Soap is wonderful and this soap produces a rich, lightly scented and dense 'stiff peak' lather. Here is my drying test (got this idea from Scotto's past post), I lather my face and leave it on for at least 10 minutes and "hey, hey, hey", no problem with the lather drying out on my face. Efficacy: Rating 10 Throughout the shave, the lather provided a lot of cushion and glide. I just have to say that this is the best shaving soap that I've ever tried. This Soap lathers so easy and quickly and seems like it never dries out and doesn't dry out my face either. I find that I get a much closer shave and a better lather with Luxury's vs. Deluxe's. Also, this soap creates a slick lather which 'glides' my Merkur Razors (23C & 38C using Voskhod blades), over my skin with hardly any nicks! Moisturizing: Rating 9 Again, no drying of my face at all. Skin felt smooth and hydrated and after my shave, I feel very 'pampered'. I really this Soap (what a change from using Deluxe), and my face is softer and smoother. In closing and in my opinion...it is the best Shave Soap for your money and your face. P.S. Also, I add 10 drops of glycerine per puck (and about 10 drops of Clubman Citrus Musk [fortified with Royal Lymes]), before I melt it (nuke), for 'Überlather', extra lubercation, cushion, glide and scent. Read More: http://badgerandblade.com/reviews/s...itle=van-der-hagen-luxury-scented-soap&cat=40​

Want to join The Van Der Hagan (VDH), Society?

Read More: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/357300-The-Van-Der-Hagan-Society?highlight=

Happiness is the [shaving soap]...that sweeps away the cobwebs of your heart”. Mort Walker

 

[cpacamper]

I will be the contrarian about VDH Luxury. I used it for a week this past week for the first time as part of my rotation and I am quite disappointed with it. I like the scent very much but I find the lather to be bubbly, thin, and not terribly slick. I tried boar and badger, wetter and dryer brush, bowl and face lathering with the same poor result. I get better results from the Deluxe. Odd.

I'll give the Luxury soap another turn in a few weeks, but right now I'm inclined to chuck it.

Further, I don't find either VDH soap "fun" to use.

 

[shave/brush]

I use the VDH Luxury often. I like it better than any other soap I've tried except MWF.

 

[Gamma]

VDH always leaves me feeling like I used laundry detergent.
Good price, easy to find, I shave well enough with it - just wish it felt less industrial on my face.

 

[Big Jim]

Try Luxury, you'll like it. I currently have Unscented Luxury in my rotation.

 

[mftoms59]

I will be the contrarian about VDH Luxury. I used it for a week this past week for the first time as part of my rotation and I am quite disappointed with it. I like the scent very much but I find the lather to be bubbly, thin, and not terribly slick. I tried boar and badger, wetter and dryer brush, bowl and face lathering with the same poor result. I get better results from the Deluxe. Odd.

I'll give the Luxury soap another turn in a few weeks, but right now I'm inclined to chuck it.

Further, I don't find either VDH soap "fun" to use.

I'd guess too much water or not enough product, if you can't get it to work throw it in the shower instead of the garbage.

 

[carldamnit]

I don't have the luxury soap just yet, just the pink deluxe. It is one of the easiest things for me to lather. Wet boar brush, 30 swirls on the puck, then straight to my wet face. I have really soft water so, as with all of this stuff, YMMV.

Thanks everyone

 

[roklein]

Anything smells better than your underway sock. Right ET?

 

[Chris H]

I melted a puck of VDH deluxe in the microwave and gave it about 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Now it smells great and shaves great.

 

[carldamnit]

Anything smells better than your underway sock. Right ET?

The first rule of the underway sock.......
Hahahahahaha!

 

[Atalk]

The SWMBO is a VDH fan as she much prefers Luxury over all other software that I have in the Den. Her first favorite was Deluxe but she and her boar brush quickly disposed of the puck...she has moved onto Luxury and will pretty much do the same.

 

[Doubledgeislife]

I love all things Van Der Hagen. I have been pleased with the soaps and the brush I got with the deluxe kit. If I really was serious about saving some serious cash, I could stick with the deluxe and watch the savings add up.

 

[Sin7]

The luxury, in my opinion, is way better than the deluxe and well worth a try.

 

[Nomad1600]

I haven't tried the Luxury variant but I have the Deluxe and I am a big fan.

 

[bryant]

All I use is the VDH glycerin...and for scent I nuke it in the microwave and add whichever aftershave I am in the mood for at that time to the melted puck. Fills my grandfather's old spice mug beautifully and the scent has always lasted for the life of the puck...whether I've used OS, Clubman, or even Chanel Bleu one time!

 

[Mrhill75]

I'm pretty new to DE shaving, but I really like all the VDH products I've tried so far. I started out with a VDH premium shave set that included a puck of deluxe. So far, it has been $9 well spent. I Like the brush, I like the bowl, and I love the soap!