Vintage "Barbershop" Shave Soap

[Saltchuck]

I recently scored a puck of "Barbershop" shave soap in an antique mall, unused and in the original box. The box has a 1976 date on it. The ingredients list shows that it's a tallow-based soap.

I'd like to hear more information about this soap, its history, and the company that made it.

Thanks,
Saltchuck

 

[Groat]

I couldn't find much information in the couple minutes I looked online, but I did find this picture. It's currently being sold at a couple places online, and the similarities are too close to pass up. Perhaps the same formula, or at least a spiritual successor.

 

[Sniper]

I would also be interested in how this stuff performs. I just came across an ad today with that same soap which I thought was pretty interesting. Please give us the updates..

 

[Robxcarlson]

You see that "Barber Shop Old Fashion" stuff on eBay from time to time. This is the first soap I've seen, but you often find the ceramic brush and razor holders and the all brass Trac II style handles. I just did a quick search and found a shave mug and another set with NOS mug, brush and soap (neither is BIN).

Good luck with the soap. Looks like a great vintage soap find!

 

[michiganlover]

I am sure people who have used it will check in later, but from what I have read on the board, this is a top quality vintage tallow based soap.

 

[nemo]

I used to have a mug with that logo years ago. Alas, it broke, and I can't remember the soap. Cheap Xmas gift.

 

[SliceOfLife]

It's a good soap. Not the best vintage or anything. I consider it pretty similar to MWF/Safari. It's a nice big puck of vintage tallow that doesn't command a premium price like Old spice and others (~$10 is the most I've seen a puck by itself fetch). The real gem of the Barbershop sets is the mug. Huge, heavy and pretty.


As I recall there were three scents. Brown Blue and Green. I have a blue.

 

[duotone]

Nice find.

Am interested to know what the "herbal scent" is like?

Love the packaging

 

[Seraphim]

From what I unearthed "Barbershop" was a mid 80's semi- boutique, quality gift brand of shaving stuff.

The soap is good. Not creme de la creme, but a solid performer.

 

[M80]

I have some too. Not the herbal scent though.

 

[oscar11]

I have the mug and brush, soap is long gone.

 

[Saltchuck]

Am interested to know what the "herbal scent" is like?

I'm the wrong person to ask about scent.

 

[Saltchuck]

I was in a thrift shop in Victoria, BC, Canada just after Christmas when I spied a vintage Barbershop shaving mug in with the 99-cent coffee mugs. Needless to say, I snapped it up!

I hadn't gotten around to trying the vintage Barbershop puck, but I just couldn't resist plopping it in the Barbershop mug and trying it out. It works like a champ! Very easy to lather, and it gives me that rich tallowy feeling on my face. It delivers a great shave too.

 

[nathanb]

I got a Barbershop mug, soap, and brush combo off ebay about 1 year ago. I still have the mug and soap. I used the soap a few times and while it produces a very good lather the scent is non existent... though it has been a few years! I have the herbal scent shave soap as well, though now it smells more like crayons.

Others have already chimed in about the history of the brand but if you do a search in this forum you should be able to find some more detailed posts about it, not much more information but some.

 

[Hawkeye5]

Ahhh, Barbershop.
Sold in drugstores, etc. I have a combo boar/badger brush that was my Dad's, but I never used the soap. The aftershave was my all time favorite.