A serious question on Soap/Cream Reviews

I was caught up in the middle some months back between Barrister & Mann and Cold River Soap Works when someone sent me a pm. Hell broke out on another forum who defended their 'guy' and fanboys entrenched around their 'kid.'

Most were probably young guys telling their roommates or brand new wives they discovered traditional wet shaving.

CRSW & B&M are far overrated and hyped by these crews. There are much better soaps out there in my opinion. They are not junk, just not impressive. That's my review.

Forums only work if they are totally open.

You were caught up in something that didn't actually exist (and, after I contacted an attorney and filed a complaint with the DOJ, disappeared, at least to the best of my knowledge). And I would note that you have claimed in the past to have never used either of our soaps. So, while I'm all for the openness of fora, was this post really necessary beyond a way to voice your disapproval for a manufactured controversy created by people who have nothing better to do with their time? ...

Just bringing this back to the top, so vtmax has the opportunity to see the response...

You spelled frankly wrong.

You spelled frankly wrong.

I fixed it. Hopefully you can understand it now.

You spelled frankly wrong.

I fixed it. Hopefully you can understand it now.  

Ok gents. Loud and clear. Thanks much.

As to reviews, I have had great luck the past few years with soaps I have tried.

Two reasons:
1. I feel that the quality of goods has increased tremendously over the past few years in particular. Once dialed in, it's a simple equation regardless of formula, to get a solid shave

2. As mentioned elsewhere, I typically don't pick up a soap completely blind. Only time I have done that recently was from Ryan @ Tallow + Steel and what a great decision that was

I have had one soap last year that just didn't cut it. I actually binned the soap after three uses. Contacted the vendor with feedback, they retooled and the new formula is tight, definitely holding it's own.

I also think many vendors are going to members of the various communities to solicit pre-release feedback that helps create a higher caliber product on full release.

I have NO problem calling it like I see it in my reviews (https://plus.google.com/u/0/109033112616114762774/posts).

...and this review of Henri Et Victoria’s “Bergamot & Vetiver” by Sharpologist is anything but glowing.

...CRSW & B&M are far overrated and hyped by these crews. There are much better soaps out there in my opinion. They are not junk, just not impressive. That's my review...

Actually I have used your soaps & CRSW. I never said I was a 'gentleman' nor do I worry about your 'livelihood'.' I just think your soap & CRSW offerings are average. I never called you an awful person above...

Cheshire, Latha & Cologne Russe.
CRSW V1 & V2 and Oliva.

I find them both overrated & overhyped...Nothing against either soap, just better available...

Wow... LOL. Calling either CRSW or B&M soaps "over hyped, overrated, not impressive or average" is so beyond silly, it's laughable. They're some of the finest soaps in the artisan space available right now. Yes, B&M scents can be polarizing and yes, CRSW soaps tend to be light on scent strength... But the performance of both soaps and aftershaves are excellent by any measure.

...and this review of Henri Et Victoria’s “Bergamot & Vetiver” by Sharpologist is anything but glowing.

Good point. I also like the fact that Craig states that his face "appears to be a lot more high maintenance than that of many shavers." Good level setting and a fair characterization for this and ultimately any review's perspective. As he also pointed out, he can only review products with the face he has, which I respect. Unfortunately, that face is not the one buying and using the soaps in my house!

Exactly why I typically refer to reviews but understand that we all have different needs. Therefore I don't treat them as anything more than reference pieces unless I know the person posting.

...Exactly why I typically refer to reviews but understand that we all have different needs. Therefore I don't treat them as anything more than reference pieces unless I know the person posting.

Precisely! Like any [set of] reviews, you need to cross off the highest and lowest scores and go with the average. There's always going to be someone with an axe to grind, a rabid fanboi - and all the rest in the middle somewhere. Reviews are just another data point and you need to make up your own mind, and try the product yourself if possible. Shaving, like eating and movies is so very much a "YMMV" thing.

I appreciate the fact those that sell products are actually human beings to interact, regardless of virtual space (e.g., here, reddit, etc.). That is a huge advantage.

I appreciate those that take the effort to do video reviews -  I am a consumer, nothing more, nothing less. I read or watch reviews to assist in the decision making process to purchase products. But I see so many videos are a waste of my time from unboxing videos (what is that anyway? Who tapes unboxing? ) to “ohh and ahh”. I see people who are clearly selling something, videos from vendor, and people who are getting free stuff from vendors to review and have channels of reviews. Some reviews are very helpful. Car reviews done by reputable auto journalists can be helpful when the test cars in the wild (e.g., a 4x4 off trail). You need to weed through all the stuff to get to the useful videos on the object you intend to buy.

Video reviews have their place, but when some admit they don’t put up reviews of poor performers, I find that does a disservice simply because its not real life. And yes, YMMV is a crutch. Noting can be more YMMV that food, yet YELP reviews of restaurants are all over the place with some reality. You can hate or love a type of food and not get Chinese, or Mexican, or Italian or hate dives or hate fancy restaurants or hate screaming kids at family restaurants or they can have bad service and reviews show this.

YMMV is part of every day life in everything subjective from the TV shows you watch, the movies you go to, and the food you eat. I watched Oscar winning movies and hated them … YMMV. In fact, it even works in OBJECTIVE measures. I get gas at one brand gas station and get better mileage, literally, than the gas at no name gas stations. Yes, YMMV – it applies to both subjective and objectively measured issues.  

Some examples of poor reviews have appeared in this thread, some in print, a few on youtube, but my original question was why are they so rare? Sure, some video reviews might not want to deal with the hate mail, some might fear not getting free stuff, and some might be protecting the sellers. I guess those are the answers.  

So I’ll end with this. As a consumer, I consume and depend upon those that do reviews to learn. Without seeing the full picture, something is missing. Now I see a bigger picture as to why some is missing after all this discussion. Thanks for explaining it to me. It does explain the missing pieces, why they are missing, and allows me to see what to believe and not believe. Good job all.


Now about B&M.   I’ve said nothing about it. I don’t know nor care about any drama of any vendors, its not my business. But I’ll say this about Lavanalle. I think I tried maybe 7 different B&M soaps. Lavanalle was one of my favorites of the group. OK Dickens smelled the best because I wanted to eat it. But the color?  My water bowl looked a murky color that I had a hard time getting by. Every time I looked down from rinsing …   I'm sorry, it could have been the best thing ever made but Maybe change the color?  Just an opinion on color.