Soap Sample Passaround - signup now

I have always wanted to try Tallow and Steel and because of this sample box (which too few have signed up for) I got my chance. Today I chose Morocco due to our own Bouki's advice.  T&S describes it as smoky floral stating the notes are rose, cedar, moss, cypress, and Cade. I sure get the smoke, which I like.  I get the cedar and enjoy that too.  I get no rose, cypress, or Cade.  What I do pick up is the scent of terpentine which is not a scent I don't like but one that in a shaving soap would take some time to know and grow.  The smoke, I assume comes from a fire used to distill the scents.  This is not an easily approachable scent but it certainly tells a tale.  I conjured up a canvas tent and camels close by.  I envision a people going about their daily chores with the scents associated with their efforts. And although nobody would accuse this scent as clean, it does smell real and that anchors me. Oh, and the cushion, slickness, and all around performance did not disappoint.

I'm drawn to off-the-beaten-path scents and from the first sniff I knew I would have to give Razormaster's Toivo a go.  Don't get me wrong, I'm no sadist.  I don't want to use disgusting scents just because they are available but neither do I shy away from scents that are a bit less approachable.  Toivo is tar, but not roofing tar or the tar scent of the road crew patching potholes.  This is tar from wood.  As I lathered I was taken back to many a hunting camp and the scent of the stovepipe when getting it up.  This is the scent of a dead branding fire.  This is the scent of moms cook stove after a long winter and the first freshets of Spring bring a gust of moist air down the flue.  Mmmmm.  I wouldn't choose this scent if I were putting on a tuxedo but I wouldn't hesitate to wear it to an old cowboy's funeral because he would know all about that scent too.  Razormaster is out of Finland I believe and wow am I impressed.  Cushion and slickness are on point.  A tick of a downgrade for post shave but as you know, that is never a make or break for me as I always follow with some raw Shea butter. (To keep my youthful good looks).  There are a ton of soaps in the box and Razormaster represents 11 of them.  I can see myself purchasing a full tub of this one.  The scent lingers but hugs close to the skin.  I'm the only one that can smell it post shave.

In this sample box is a bag with Black Tie Razor Companies offerings. I will not likely get to this bag because I ALREADY LOVE THE STUFF!  Felt remiss not mentioning Dominic's soaps as they are fantastically scented and on point with the protection they offer.  Their newest (I think) is Black Velvet, and as a confirmed vetiver junky, this one hits the spot.  Top of black pepper but a base of earthy vetiver that makes my molars want to chew it.  Great soaps.

In this sample box is a bag with Black Tie Razor Companies offerings. I will not likely get to this bag because I ALREADY LOVE THE STUFF!  Felt remiss not mentioning Dominic's soaps as they are fantastically scented and on point with the protection they offer.  Their newest (I think) is Black Velvet, and as a confirmed vetiver junky, this one hits the spot.  Top of black pepper but a base of earthy vetiver that makes my molars want to chew it.  Great soaps.

Thanks for the mention. We are VERY RELUCTANT to add scents as we feel we have a great grouping that covers "the scent wheel" pretty well. Sir Henry's Sandalwood & LVS (a lower cost version of SH) are actually the last scents added to the family. However, we do have some Aces up our sleeves.

I have wanted to try Le Pere Lucien for a long time so was happy it was included in the sample box.  My choices were Fougere, Apricot, and Traditional.  The Fougere scent is predictable.  The Apricot smells awesome but could use  boosted a notch or two.  That left Traditional and what better way to experience this soap?  When using samples, it's easy for me to over-hydrate them so I wrung out the plissoft knot before loading and boy was I surprised at how unthirsty this soap seemed.  A damp nylon brush needed no additional water?  The lather on this one is a high loft, high structure affair and it lathered quickly.  It was so voluminous I was concerned I'd have a busted and dry experience but the look and feel of the lather told me things were as they should be so I grabbed a razor and went to work.  Surprise!  It was slick and residual slickness was there too.  What I did find though was that cushion seemed lacking and even given its slickness I felt the rawness of the blade.  Not uncomfortable, but kind of hot if that makes sense?  The shave was close and post shave was a bit dry.  The scent was a nod to dried herbs and is pleasant but muted.  In fact all three samples are mild enough to in effect be unscented upon lathering.  Darn!  I was hoping to have liked Lucien better.  Perhaps a full size tub would perform differently.  Not a bad experience by any means but I won't need to hunt up a tub of apricot.

Today was Jabonman Eufros Sandalo.  There are so many cool soaps in my herd that I had never gotten around to giving Jabonman a go.  Gents, I now know why you like it.  Lather was mid structure, slick and protective but the star was post shave.  It's not as good as Mystic Waters or PAA CK6 on the post but it's right there.  I'm a sandalwood junky and he doesn't disappoint.  I smell fantastic right now.

Anybody else that would like to sign up to be next? Surprised you guys aren't all over this.

1. HoosierShave - completed
2. Kehole - completed
3. Pork - completed
4. A. Feitar - completed
5.Lipripper660 - in process
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25. Back to dfoulk for refill.
David

I know a lot of you have your favorites already established. Shoot, I do too. The benefit I wasn't ready for was the nose-ucation I'm receiving. It's a real eye-opener to be able to sniff wares from 11 artisans and compare notes one to another. It's allowed me to become more able to pick out individual notes in the overall accord. Without a plethora of soaps to sniff, it takes a long time to get them all worked out. It's anchoring in my brain that there are a ton of great soap bases out there so that for me it's starting to come down to who is doing the scents best. So go,ahead, put your name on the list. You will be dumbfounded at the quantity of flavors and artisans represented in this box.

About a month ago, I was able to make a detour to Maggard Razors on a return trip from Detroit.  I arrived shortly after they opened and spent about two hours just walking around sniffing soaps (and having some good conversation with some great guys plus a stropping lesson from Mr. Maggard).  From that experience, I was able to eliminate not only several, but many, soaps that I thought would be good or was just really excited to try.  For example, I know many of you enjoy Diamond…you didn’t at first, but it grew on you .  After being able to test-sniff it, I don’t even care for the opportunity for it to grow on me.  And I certainly don’t mean any offense to B&M or Diamond-fans, I’m simply trying to make the point that, thankfully, I didn’t spend the $ to realize I didn’t like it.  And I was certainly tempted for a long time prior to stopping in at Maggard.

Although Maggard has a far superior selection of soaps (in terms of # of scents) as compared to this pass-around, the benefit to this pass-around is that you get 10 days to test-lather, sniff, use, etc.  I had two hours at Maggard and wish I could’ve spent another four or five.  And, I must be getting old, because I forgot to take notes regarding the scents!  With this pass-around, I had ten days to pick out the things I like and make decisions on which soaps I’d like to purchase…and more importantly, soaps I thought I wanted, I can now skip without wondering what it is I’m missing out on.  For example, one of my favorite artisans is Oleo Soapworks.  I forget how many Oleo soaps are in the box, but there were quite a few that are now off my wish-list because I was able to take notes while the box was in my possession.

Having said all that, I understand some member’s comments regarding favorite artisan or scents.  Like you Lipripper660 , I get that and I have my favorites too.  And I'm really glad you're getting a "nose-ucation".  You're ability to distinguish notes in a soap are FAR superior than mine.  And for about $10 in shipping (at least that's what it cost me to ship), this pass-around is a great opportunity to spend sufficient time self-educating, sniffing and lathering various artisan soaps and scents.  You don't have to worry about buying a soap, deciding it’s not for you, and then have to try and sell it....or worse, let it sit in a box somewhere never to be used again.  All in all, the soap pass-around was really beneficial to me and I think it would be for any person.  Especially those with SAD.  It may just help suppress...not cure...that disorder 

Wholly Kaw, holy cow!  I guess I only thought I knew what my favorites were.  Today, for the first time, I tried an offering from Wholly Kaw.  Due to the price they want for a soap, I was expecting they should offer first tier performance.  Well, they did.  Scent was Man From Mayfair and aromatic fougere it is!  The first note I get is licorice. I assume it's from basil.  I get notes of lavender, moss, and sandalwood.  The strength is medium strong and really opens up on lathering.  I'm not sure I'd want a cologne in this scent but MAN I do like the scent a lot.  Lather is low structure and dense.  I didn't find it the slickest soap but it is plenty slick.  Cushion is excellent.  Post shave?  Well now, this is a post-shave dream.  Awesome feel in the post.  But the lather felt great all the way through.  Dang!  I don't need more soaps but....