What is the best soap base in 2023?

[rally]

I'm almost done 3017ing my Lothur Dave in V2 base, and Black Friday is when I'd like to buy a new soap to replace it. The last time I bought soaps, the latest and greatest soap bases in terms of total performance and post-shave quality were Ariana and Evans K2e, Barrister and Mann Omnibus, and Lothur Grooming V2. In the past I had several youtubers I relied on to speak at length about the quality of soap bases and unfortunately they have vanished. I also don't see much talk here on the best soap bases (most of the conversation seems to fall in the realm of "this is good value for money and it works for me" like Stirling, Haslinger, Arko, etc), so I thought I'd create a new thread to be a bit of a measuring stick for the 2023 landscape of soap bases. Have things changed significantly since 2021? Are the top soap bases still Omnibus, K2e, and Lothur V2? Have new soap bases come out that just crush the old competition?

 

[Hannah's Dad]

In my den, Grooming Dept Kairos SE 2023 is the best.

 

[WetShaveVet]

Since joining 5 years ago, I have tried a tub of just about everything but I still keep coming back to Declaration Grooming and my shave this morning with Darkfall confirms it. For me.

 

[Ckmaui]

Wanting to try Grooming Dept (have some coming in)
but so far Captains Choice Cream and Noble Otter and SV for top 3 (not in order)

 

[bossman]

I'm trying to decide between Gentleman's Nod C4+ and Grooming Dept's Kairos SE 2023..
Grooming Cult Prometheus 2.1 has my bronze medal.
Los Jabones de Joserra Duck fat and tallow and Barrister and Mann Omnibus are completing my top5 bases.

 

[schizm]

Macduffs soap company V4 base.

 

[SgtCrppls]

In my den, Grooming Dept Kairos SE 2023 is the best.

I agree 100% with Dan

 

[Rudy Vey]

I agree 100% with Dan

same here

 

[Barbarian80]

Grooming Dept is the best soap. I also like Ethos.

 

[SgtCrppls]

Grooming Dept is the best soap. I also like Ethos.

I agree I use both

 

[rally]

Looks like Kairos SE is the early favorite with Declaration Grooming and Ethos right behind. I'm going to be honest, my jaw dropped when I saw Kairos SE soaps were $29 for 4 ounces, and my jaw completely fell off my face when I saw Ethos was $60 for 4.5 ounces. Are they in the category of "a little goes a long way" or are they soft soaps that don't last very long?

 

[SgtCrppls]

The Ethos F Base is firmer and last longer, but you get what you pay for.

 

[NorthernSoul]

The Ethos F Base is firmer and last longer, but you get what you pay for.

What do you get for $60? It seems excessive to me.

 

[ohansen]

On another forum, I saw that GD is now moving to 5oz.

I have concerns about Ethos's claims regarding the ingredients in his products. The use of EOS Complex is illegal, and some of the ingredients he claims to use do not exist.

 

[SgtCrppls]

What do you get for $60? It seems excessive to me.

Some are $60 some are $40 depends on the ingredients used.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Some are $60 some are $40 depends on the ingredients used.

Frank is using high end scent products, the best available essential oils he can get. Some of these oils are extremely expensive.
Just google the cost for sandalwood essential oil like here:

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Bulk Apothecary's sandalwood oil prices are the best online. Buy this essential oil and more online!

www.bulkapothecary.com

Like a 0.5 oz for $75.

 

[Leverspro]

McDuff is also best that I've tried. I like how it is soft enough that when a put a bit in the bottom of a shaving bowl my brush can easily pick it up. Very good lather and scents.

 

[ohansen]

The cost of the ingredients he claims to use far exceeds the price at which he sells his soap. It's unlikely that he could produce and sell hundreds of jars of soap at that price point. I have talked to few soap makers, I have dabbled with making soap.

 

[johnnylighton]

My top three, in no particular other:

Ethos F base
Grooming Dept Kairos SE
B&M Omnibus

 

[Barbarian80]

Looks like Kairos SE is the early favorite with Declaration Grooming and Ethos right behind. I'm going to be honest, my jaw dropped when I saw Kairos SE soaps were $29 for 4 ounces, and my jaw completely fell off my face when I saw Ethos was $60 for 4.5 ounces. Are they in the category of "a little goes a long way" or are they soft soaps that don't last very long?

All of the grooming Dept labels show 4 oz but the jars are always filled with way more than that. These latest soaps at the razor company are closer to 6 oz for $29. For the quality you're getting the pricing is the most competitive.