A serious question on Soap/Cream Reviews

All good points. I also think so much has gone politically correct that our skin has become super thin and people's feelings get hurt way too easily. I personally enjoy debating people and on occasion getting them all worked up. They may think I'm angry but I'm usually laughing as I type.

You know, this is a good topic to bring up grim .  I always embrace criticism of products.  I suppose I'm pretty new here so I didn't want to start just bashing things I haven't preferred but if someone wanted to start a thread about "worst soaps you've tried" or "Worst aftershaves" I would happily contribute.  I've made my thoughts clear here on a few things I wasn't a fan of, from a performance standpoing (PAA Soaps, CRSW Aftershave), but I suppose I've never done a thread where my intentions were critical.  

Its funny, because I can't remember a lot of things that I have tried recently that I wasn't a fan of.  Maybe Myrsol AS for not moisturizing and in my opinion, underperforming for a 31$ aftershave?  I'm trying to think.  Usually I do not like a product because of a scent that I do not care for, or because of any irritation I experience from it, which is very subjective you know?

I completely agree on Myrsol. I have no clue why so many people love it. It's half the price of a luxury soap and hardly does anything for the skin (barring the emulsion perhaps). I could go on with more things but I have a feeling that most people know what I like and what I don't. If you want to know, then I have no problem sharing.

All good points. I also think so much has gone politically correct that our skin has become super thin and people's feelings get hurt way too easily. I personally enjoy debating people and on occasion getting them all worked up. They may think I'm angry but I'm usually laughing as I type.

I have a 2 post rule for myself when dealing with people who get all worked up and/or trolls.

Beyond 2 posts, I'm not reasonably sure the other person has already made up their minds and aren't truly in it for the conversation but for someone to 'agree' with them....so I cut myself off. Why give these folks a stage, you know?

I just can't believe how jacked up people get if their pet product isn't universally loved, or given the recognition it deserves.

My God, people it's just shaving.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I could care less if people like the software and hardware I use.

I'm shaving myself after all, not anyone else.

All good points. I also think so much has gone politically correct that our skin has become super thin and people's feelings get hurt way too easily. I personally enjoy debating people and on occasion getting them all worked up. They may think I'm angry but I'm usually laughing as I type.

I have a 2 post rule for myself when dealing with people who get all worked up and/or trolls.

Beyond 2 posts, I'm not reasonably sure the other person has already made up their minds and aren't truly in it for the conversation but for someone to 'agree' with them....so I cut myself off.  Why give these folks a stage, you know?

Entertainment? How high can I make you jump?

Largely I think the shaving community as a whole couldn't care less and even welcomes alternative opinions. On the other hand, there are a few pockets of artisans and their fans who seem to have serious issues, and actively seek to destroy the reputations of those who dare to give a negative review of certain products. I suspect that a lot of this comes from the connections that some forums have with certain artisans and vendors.

All in all, it's quite laughable really. Those thuggish tactics may have worked before the invention of the Internet, but those days are long over.

I just can't believe how jacked up people get if their pet product isn't universally loved, or given the recognition it deserves.

My God, people it's just shaving.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It's true in fragrance, too. I used to write a weekly review on reddit and was quite vocal when I didn't like a certain perfume or felt that it was overpriced or overhyped or poorly designed (or all of these). This led to the creation of a thread on a certain forum where many users (some of whom have since come to DFS) questioned my experience, age, sanity, intelligence, taste, breeding, professionalism, etc etc. This hobby can become extremely ugly extremely quickly, so I can understand a hesitancy to make it known that you don't like something when the penalty for doing so could be truly vicious personal attacks. The ridiculous things that go on behind the scenes can be absolutely breathtaking in their callousness, cruelty, and tenacity.

Usually by the time I'm buying a soap, cream, or other product, I've read enough thoughtful reviews and comments on the product that it's been somewhat "vetted," so it's rare I end up with anything that's outright bad, or even mediocre. Most of the soaps I've bought are good, and several have been great. A bunch I've gotten rid of were because I didn't care for the scent, not because there was a real problem with performance. I have the various forums to thank for truly bad products not even being in my consideration.

So there's that. That said, I tend to mention criticisms of products outside the context of a review. For instance, Nancy Boy's Blossomwood balm seemed to be giving me break-outs (eek!), and I'm pretty sure it's the dimethicone in it. But I brought this up in a thread asking which ingredients are comedogenic (acne-causing). Much as I like Nancy Boy's products in general, I will warn people away from stuff with dimethicone and other silicones, as they seem acne-promoting (I'm looking at you, Nivea shave cream!).

I'm also glad to point out stuff that just doesn't work well for me, like many DE designs which leave too much "flop" on the blade, creating chatter; or pre-shave oils generally; or anything with the aroma-chemical dihydromyrcenol, because really, that scourge on humanity MUST BE STOPPED. :-)

or anything with the aroma-chemical dihydromyrcenol, because really, that scourge on humanity MUST BE STOPPED. :-)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Bah. You two can have a dihydromyrcenol-haters party together... Then I shall crash it while wearing 50 sprays of Green Irish Tweed!!! Mwa hwa hwa .

It's an interesting deal with people on Internet forums and I've been posting on them here and there since about 2000. I've realized that just like in real life, it takes all kinds out there. There are hateful people everywhere and even in Internet communities.

What makes it worse is these people can hide behind keyboards and be very diabolical when they don't have to face someone with their opinions in person. So really if someone wants to raise hell through the Internet, nothing is going to stop them because they face no opposition. Point is, if someone is too weak-minded to deal with an opinion different than theirs, or criticism of a product they like, they can take it personally and insult people and try to shut down debate because they are a keyboard warrior and it's easy to slag someone online.

People get butt hurt over everything these days so I suppose when their favorite aftershave is criticized its yet another reason to go nuts. Just hard to believe.

I like it when people act like gentlemen and debate or discuss things and it would be constructive not only to the consumers but even to artisans if we share all of our experiences on products in my opinion. I like grim take on this and I think we should be more analytical in the future if we can. Look at Stirlings improvement for example. Better containers, no animal smell, etc. the people spoke and he listened.