Just for fun, I thought I'd make this poll. I know lots of guys use stuff from France, India, Italy, South America, wherever else! Just wanted to see who you thought made the best. I haven't tried a LOT but I personally say Italy. They seem to make incredible soaps and creams. My favorites are Cella and Proraso!
Which country produces the best soaps/creams?
- Thread starter ZackP
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Germany and Italy. Speck and Tabac are my top performers
Germany. Klar Seifen, Calani, Dr. Dittmar, and for the fans, Tabac
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Wow, how did I forget Germany 
Which Italian? The two you mention are German.
I voted other:
Germany for my Soaps; Tabac & Palmolive
U.S & Italy for Croaps; QCS & Panna Crema
Spain for Cream; La Toja Sensitive
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Italy is killing it!
Germany
Palmolive and Tabac are my favourites.
I really need to try Klar when I have used up a few of my soaps.
Palmolive and Tabac are my favourites.
I really need to try Klar when I have used up a few of my soaps.
no Turkey???...
it's a sham of a poll!
it's a sham of a poll!
Turkey of course!
You'll don't need a poll to figure that out ;]
You'll don't need a poll to figure that out ;]
How can you not have Germany among the list with soaps like Tabac, Golddachs, Speick, etc.
I voted "other" as a protest. No Portugal? No Bulgaria? Or Germany? (OK, not many would include Bulgaria, I know. But SWMBO would kill me if I didn't at least say it.) In any case, protesting is really easier than having to actually choose just one country. I love them all!
In my opinion the best soaps and creams are from England, Italy and France.
England because the creams from GFT, T&H and TOBS are all top performers as are the soaps from D.R Harris (and if you want to open it up to the UK and not just England then you can include Castle Forbes in there too) and among these products there are such a great variety of different scents everyone should be able to find at least one item they enjoy from these products.
Italy because their soft soaps perform brilliantly and are all reasonably priced and if you follow Marcos method you will get a wonderful lather every time.
France, they offer less variety, but MdC is absolutely top notch.
But for me the trump card is Mitchells Wool Fat. Its my favourite soap. It performs brilliantly, its priced reasonably, and that ceramic bowl is a work of high art!
England because the creams from GFT, T&H and TOBS are all top performers as are the soaps from D.R Harris (and if you want to open it up to the UK and not just England then you can include Castle Forbes in there too) and among these products there are such a great variety of different scents everyone should be able to find at least one item they enjoy from these products.
Italy because their soft soaps perform brilliantly and are all reasonably priced and if you follow Marcos method you will get a wonderful lather every time.
France, they offer less variety, but MdC is absolutely top notch.
But for me the trump card is Mitchells Wool Fat. Its my favourite soap. It performs brilliantly, its priced reasonably, and that ceramic bowl is a work of high art!
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QCS, Mike's and Mystic. Tops in quality, tops in service.
Italy, England and Germany.
Proraso, TOBS and Nivea.
Proraso, TOBS and Nivea.
I think England should be changed to the United Kingdom in the poll - after all Castle Forbes is Scottish and not English. They would be upset at the least being called English.
I've only tried soaps/creams from the UK, America, India, Turkey, and Portugal. Of those 4, I prefer the soaps from the UK although some of the American artisanal stuff comes in a close second and some are as good as the best from the UK. I haven't tried Arko yet (I do have a stick) but I have tried the GZD from Turkey and it gives a nice shave. I expect as good or better when I crack open the Arko. I feel about the same for Godrej and Palmolive from India - good solid performers for the inexpensive price. The only stuff I didn't like was Lavanda from Portugal - took a lot of product to whip up a mediocre lather.
Looking to try some French and Italian products next. I want to find out what all the buzz is about for MdC and Razorock. I hear good things about both inthe forum. I'm also interested in Eastern Bloc products -- stuff from Bulgaria and Russia principally. I have some Rose of Bulgaria AS (goes nicely after a T & H Rose shave) that I like and I'm hearing good things about stuff from that part of Europe. I've also heard good things about Fitjar from Norway. Being on the shave sabbatical, all this will have to wait, though. I really need to use a bunch of what I have before getting a bunch of new stuff -- the shave den is packed to the gills with no more room for anything!
I've only tried soaps/creams from the UK, America, India, Turkey, and Portugal. Of those 4, I prefer the soaps from the UK although some of the American artisanal stuff comes in a close second and some are as good as the best from the UK. I haven't tried Arko yet (I do have a stick) but I have tried the GZD from Turkey and it gives a nice shave. I expect as good or better when I crack open the Arko. I feel about the same for Godrej and Palmolive from India - good solid performers for the inexpensive price. The only stuff I didn't like was Lavanda from Portugal - took a lot of product to whip up a mediocre lather.
Looking to try some French and Italian products next. I want to find out what all the buzz is about for MdC and Razorock. I hear good things about both inthe forum. I'm also interested in Eastern Bloc products -- stuff from Bulgaria and Russia principally. I have some Rose of Bulgaria AS (goes nicely after a T & H Rose shave) that I like and I'm hearing good things about stuff from that part of Europe. I've also heard good things about Fitjar from Norway. Being on the shave sabbatical, all this will have to wait, though. I really need to use a bunch of what I have before getting a bunch of new stuff -- the shave den is packed to the gills with no more room for anything!
Germany (Tabac), Turkey (Arko), and Spain (La Toja)
UK (TOBS/T&H),Italy (Proraso) and Germany (Tabac/Palmolive) with Spain as a close second (La Toja).
Viva Italia!
