SOTD 29 May-4 June 2016

Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Spring-Heeled Jack | BSB-Ti w/HMW | Above The Tie S1 w/Triad Rolling Hex 316 Stainless | Treet Platinum Super Stainless (2)

Another stellar photo, another great review for products that don’t come up frequently. This is why I like DFS so much!

Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Spring-Heeled Jack | BSB-Ti w/HMW | Above The Tie S1 w/Triad Rolling Hex 316 Stainless | Treet Platinum Super Stainless (2)
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It's been a couple years since I've purchased a PAA soap.  As most of you know, the containers have changed to the more traditional plastic jars.  While I was a fan of the over-sized tins of old, they were a little cumbersome on the narrow shelf in my shower.  I do appreciate the translucent plastic containers with waterproof labels.  It's an overall nice, durable presentation.  

In addition to the packaging, there have been marked improvements in the soap formula.  The lather was easy and dense as usual, but slickness was very good and out-performs my old tins of CaD, Speakeasy, and Cavendish.  It looks like I need to upgrade those.

Something PAA has never lacked is bold and accurate scents.  Spring-Heeled Jack is the first coffee-scented soap and splash I've used that pulls off a coffee scent without a creamy undertone.  There's still some sweetness, but it's more of a chicory sweetness, so I'll abide that.

My only complaint is about the splash is the inclusion of alum in their alcohol splashes.  I know it's a personal favorite of Douglas', and alum is a post-shave staple for lots of wet shavers.  Unfortunately, I'm one of those who suffers from a pretty bright red skin reaction to alum.  I endure it, regardless, because I enjoy the overall effects after the redness settles down which ends up being about 20 minutes.

PAA has made some great improvements on an already excellent product.  It looks like I'll have to dig back into their website and pick out a few more crazy scents as well as upgrade my current ones.

Excellent picture of shaving products.

Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Spring-Heeled Jack | BSB-Ti w/HMW | Above The Tie S1 w/Triad Rolling Hex 316 Stainless | Treet Platinum Super Stainless (2)
[Image: TDC7BVo.jpg]

It's been a couple years since I've purchased a PAA soap.  As most of you know, the containers have changed to the more traditional plastic jars.  While I was a fan of the over-sized tins of old, they were a little cumbersome on the narrow shelf in my shower.  I do appreciate the translucent plastic containers with waterproof labels.  It's an overall nice, durable presentation.  

In addition to the packaging, there have been marked improvements in the soap formula.  The lather was easy and dense as usual, but slickness was very good and out-performs my old tins of CaD, Speakeasy, and Cavendish.  It looks like I need to upgrade those.

Something PAA has never lacked is bold and accurate scents.  Spring-Heeled Jack is the first coffee-scented soap and splash I've used that pulls off a coffee scent without a creamy undertone.  There's still some sweetness, but it's more of a chicory sweetness, so I'll abide that.

My only complaint is about the splash is the inclusion of alum in their alcohol splashes.  I know it's a personal favorite of Douglas', and alum is a post-shave staple for lots of wet shavers.  Unfortunately, I'm one of those who suffers from a pretty bright red skin reaction to alum.  I endure it, regardless, because I enjoy the overall effects after the redness settles down which ends up being about 20 minutes.

PAA has made some great improvements on an already excellent product.  It looks like I'll have to dig back into their website and pick out a few more crazy scents as well as upgrade my current ones.

Thank you for your review.

I agree with you regarding the new formulas. I still have two tins of HTGAM soaps and though I didn't have any issues with lather I find the post shave feel a little better with this formula. Mind if I ask what other coffee scented soaps besides this one you have used? I have CB Bailey's and Simpson's Cafe latte and both I find to be a little too sweet.

For the first time in months I decided not to shave this morning.  The main reason was that once a year, San Diego has a marathon (named The Rock and Roll Marathon, if you can believe that   ). The route goes throughout parts of the city and happens to go right by my apartment. The street is blocked off and from about 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. it is impossible to cross the road for the runners.  Naturally, my coffeehouse is across the street.  I can see it from my living room window.  For the last couple of years I couldn't get my morning java.  Today, I figured if I didn't shave and left a little earlier I might just miss the main hordes and make it across the street.  Sure enough, no problem.  However, I found it strange that there was vehicular traffic as the road is usually closed to cars and buses hours before the event.  Looking down the street I noticed a bunch of people running from a side street onto mine but in the opposite direction.  When I got to the coffeehouse, I discovered that they had changed the route by a few blocks.  Wouldn't you know it?!  Oh well, the upside (besides my coffee) is that my shaving gear is all set out for tomorrow's shave.

For the first time in months I decided not to shave this morning.  The main reason was that once a year, San Diego has a marathon (named The Rock and Roll Marathon, if you can believe that   ). The route goes throughout parts of the city and happens to go right by my apartment. The street is blocked off and from about 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. it is impossible to cross the road for the runners.  Naturally, my coffeehouse is across the street.  I can see it from my living room window.  For the last couple of years I couldn't get my morning java.  Today, I figured if I didn't shave and left a little earlier I might just miss the main hordes and make it across the street.  Sure enough, no problem.  However, I found it strange that there was vehicular traffic as the road is usually closed to cars and buses hours before the event.  Looking down the street I noticed a bunch of people running from a side street onto mine but in the opposite direction.  When I got to the coffeehouse, I discovered that they had changed the route by a few blocks.  Wouldn't you know it?!  Oh well, the upside (besides my coffee) is that my shaving gear is all set out for tomorrow's shave.

And sometimes it feels so much better to shave an extra days growth, enjoy your coffee and a wonderful Sunday.

...I have CB Bailey's and Simpson's Cafe latte and both I find to be a little too sweet.

This. Plus Dapper Dragon's Autumn Morning. While I enjoy it, the longer it lingers, the sweeter it gets. I found SHJ to do just the opposite.

Freddy, there is still plenty of time to shave, today, even for one-pass!

Freddy, there is still plenty of time to shave, today, even for one-pass!  

Nope. If I don't shave first thing in the morning then I don't shave. I just don't enjoy it as much.

By the way, Brett and Celestino, I apologize for not putting this in the correct SOTD thread (5-11 June). See, no shave first thing and I don't fire on all cylinders.

...I have CB Bailey's and Simpson's Cafe latte and both I find to be a little too sweet.

This.  Plus Dapper Dragon's Autumn Morning.  While I enjoy it, the longer it lingers, the sweeter it gets.  I found SHJ to do just the opposite.

Thank you for the feedback

BBS1 Triad / Voskhod

M&F

CB Fouet l 'Orange

Fine L' Orange Noir


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