PAA General Thoughts?

I know of several other people that have found the new formulation a bit...  Weird (not creamy).  In fact, just posted today on Sharpologist - scroll down a bit to Miami Libre...

"...My first try lathering this soap was a little weird: tendrils of lather would stick out between the brush and puck...

I have two collections enroute from Tallow + Steel as we speak!  I went for the Dark/Rainforest collections.  I'm very excited, as I've only heard good things and the ingredients, product photos and the recent weekend sale pushed me over the edge!  I wanted Grog but decided to maintain at least a little self control...  If I like the two, all bets might be off though!  :p

Nice choices and you have greater control than I - I had to pick up the entire suite! In the tub I was on the fence with the scent of Dark as it was somewhat reminiscent of Thin Mints. On use it really opens up and becomes something else altogether. Look forward to your thoughts on receipt!

As to the tendrils, I actually have seen that and it was on early/first use with K in the new formula. Seemed like lack of hydration on load [this soap is thirsty, err, I mean hydroamorous as mentioned] , remedied by gradual addition of water and va va va voom. Note: I also saw the same with my first use of Glissant base from B&M, LGC with almond oil.

Thanks for the link nonetheless, I'll have to check it out later!

I find that PAA soaps benefit in starting with a slightly wetter brush than normal. It's one of the only soaps I've used that I've had to adjust my lathering technique in this way. Try it and you might be surprised!

Nice choices and you have greater control than I - I had to pick up the entire suite! In the tub I was on the fence with the scent of Dark as it was somewhat reminiscent of Thin Mints. On use it really opens up and becomes something else altogether. Look forward to your thoughts on receipt!

As to the tendrils, I actually have seen that and it was on early/first use with K in the new formula. Seemed like lack of hydration on load [this soap is thirsty, err, I mean hydroamorous as mentioned] , remedied by gradual addition of water and va va va voom. Note: I also saw the same with my first use of Glissant base from B&M, LGC with almond oil.

Thanks for the link nonetheless, I'll have to check it out later!

Yeah, it was tough... And I may regret it. I'll keep you posted on how I get on with T+S. The scent of Classic sounds good, no doubt - but I've got my fill of that genre. My weakness is bay rum though, so it's quite possible I'll snag Grog if it pans out.

Hmm, strange. I've never experienced any issues or oddities with B&M soaps. Load it and go. The one exception might be Arctique but it just needs more loading/water because of the heavy menthol content. Le Grand Chypre is the only soap with almond oil, before will switched over to oleic safflower oil (and I didn't notice anything odd with that, either).

Yeah, it was tough...  And I may regret it.  I'll keep you posted on how I get on with T+S.  The scent of Classic sounds good, no doubt - but I've got my fill of that genre.  My weakness is bay rum though, so it's quite possible I'll snag Grog if it pans out.

Hmm, strange.  I've never experienced any issues or oddities with B&M soaps.  Load it and go.  The one exception might be Arctique but it just needs more loading/water because of the heavy menthol content.  Le Grand Chypre is the only soap with almond oil, before will switched over to oleic safflower oil (and I didn't notice anything odd with that, either).

I have a Bay Rum issue too... I have to say as a fellow traveler: you must make the exception and pick up Grog. I like riffs on BR and this certainly is that but a very well rounded and not contrived riff. Superb!

The tendrils were nothing more than a casual notice and a bit more water so no issues and in no way impacted the performance. The LGC was indeed the one and only with almond oil and have not seen it with safflower but then again I have ensured that I hydrate more up front. I would say that I consider both B&M as well as PAA/CK soaps thirsty - just a matter of dialing 'em in.

Keep us posted on the T+S!

Interesting as with the current formula I get a nice balance of cushion and slickness with solid in-shave and post-shave. Definitely a hydroamorous [yes, I just made that up ] soap that I can load up with water for slickness but plenty of cushion too.

If you enjoy in particular top tier soaps with exotic ingredients and haven't tried Tallow + Steel I would strongly recommend them. Ryan @ Tallow + Steel renders his own tallow, includes lanolin, silk as well as avocado, coconut and castor oils in his formula. They are a new comer but among the best soaps I have ever used in 12 years of wetshaving.

He predominantly uses essential oils which I feel provide a richer, more rounded scent and collaborates with a perfumer on the scent profiles. In fact, my wife, who thinks this entire hobby is bizarre particularly based on my historic disinterest in man-pampering, has declared Grog the best scented soap I have ever purchased out of the 100's tried. Pretty strong endorsement coming from her!

I know of several other people that have found the new formulation a bit...  Weird (not creamy).  In fact, just posted today on Sharpologist - scroll down a bit to Miami Libre...

"...My first try lathering this soap was a little weird: tendrils of lather would stick out between the brush and puck...

I have two collections enroute from Tallow + Steel as we speak!  I went for the Dark/Rainforest collections.  I'm very excited, as I've only heard good things and the ingredients, product photos and the recent weekend sale pushed me over the edge!  I wanted Grog but decided to maintain at least a little self control...  If I like the two, all bets might be off though!  :p

Personally I think people aren't adding enough water. Otherwise, I don't know what it is because I can lather PAA and CK in hard or soft water and end up with as good a cushion and post shave as any soap our threre. B&M and Stirling have always been my favorite soaps but PAA is on par with them.

I think lathering issues are probably the case with most soaps that have solid reputations but some feel are not good. I know I used to have that problem until I learned to lather using the Merkur Man method. Yet even with that method if you don't get the water right you won't experience the full potential of soaps. In PAA's case, I don't know of any soap that requires more water. The problem is it lathers so easily that you can stop short and still have a stable lather that looks great, but it will not be as slick and protective as it can be with more water. B&M is the same way, and of course there are many who cannot get a good lather with the white label. I used it in the hardest of water and had no problem. Who knows. Ymmv as always I suppose, but I can't think of any soaps right now that I have used that don't provide excellent performance if lathered properly.

I certainly don't think it's me - or an issue of simply adding water. I've never had issue lathering anything; I have soft water. Mitchell's wool fat, no problem - since day one. Hell, I could probably lather a pile of dirt if I tried.

One thing I definitely do not agree with is PAA being "on par" with B&M. Can't speak of Stirling, having never tried it.

I have only ever used 1 B&M soap, Night Music, so take what I am about to say with a huge grain of salt...

I did not like it at all. I know it is a thirsty soap, so let's clear that up right away, and my water is not overly hard. I have no issues lathering anything from Williams Mug soap to Captain's Choice. I have never had difficulty with any soap except Crabtree & Evelyn and Barrister & Mann.

In both cases, no matter what I try, I end up with either sticky, unusable crust, or runny, watery bubbles, both of which are useless for shaving. I even tried super lather and uber lathers with the C&E to absolutely no avail.

I'm not blaming the soaps as far too many people like both varieties for it to be the fault of the soap. However, for whatever reason, I cannot make either soap work for me.

And I suppose that is why "YMMV" is such a popular phrase in this hobby...

Regarding the "tendrils"...I've never experienced that with PAA, but I have a tub of Shave Revolution "Bourbon Room" that does this. It lathers fine, and performs well, but loading the brush is...odd...I get great, long strings of goo coming off the soap, connected to the brush tips. Not sure what it is...

I certainly don't think it's me - or an issue of simply adding water.  I've never had issue lathering anything; I have soft water.  Mitchell's wool fat, no problem - since day one.  Hell, I could probably lather a pile of dirt if I tried.

One thing I definitely do not agree with is PAA being "on par" with B&M.  Can't speak of Stirling, having never tried it.

I'm saying for me it is, and that's not up for debate. Yet I can also respect that you do not feel that way, but that does not change my experience.

I am working from home today and thought I'd look at the library a bit for some fun... I have 17 tubs of B&M soap [not counting four Latha] and 6 of PAA, with a couple more due to arrive tomorrow. We also have extremely hard water here on the SW side of Austin due to the Edward's Aquifer and associated limestone.

Having said that, I get great shaves from both and appreciate what both Will and Douglas are doing for the shaving community! On the other hand, I completely agree that the beauty is we are all different and have varying experiences across any number of products.

I want to thank you gents for the civil dialogue.

PS the only reason I included the count was because I knew I had more than a few B&M but no real idea how many specifically, to indicate context/experience with the brand and also my continuing support of artisans who also support the community with great products

I am working from home today and thought I'd look at the library a bit for some fun... I have 17 tubs of B&M soap [not counting four Latha] and 6 of PAA, with a couple more due to arrive tomorrow. We also have extremely hard water here on the SW side of Austin due to the Edward's Aquifer and associated limestone.

Having said that, I get great shaves from both and appreciate what both Will and Douglas are doing for the shaving community! On the other hand, I completely agree that the beauty is we are all different and have varying experiences across any number of products.

I want to thank you gents for the civil dialogue.

PS the only reason I included the count was because I knew I had more than a few B&M but no real idea how many specifically, to indicate context/experience with the brand and also my continuing support of artisans who also support the community with great products

Well said. I'm the same with B&M. Rarely do I pass on a scent.