Strike Gold Shave Soap

That Nostalgia scent (dupe of Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Moss) is fantastic. I like SGS soaps and they have done some pretty amazing dupes in addition to their original scent offerings.

Ruds can be hit or miss with me...he described AE Asian Pear scent as a masterpiece, but I found it to smell like synthetic hairspray.  He also rated Santa Maria Novella cream as middle of the road...but I have always loved everything about it (fragrance, lather, performance, etc).  I take his opinions with a grain of salt.

Different strokes for different folks as they say, but the thread isn’t about Ruds anyhow.  

Vr

Matt

Scents are definitely a YMMV thing, even more so that performance. Although Ruds comments on scents, whether you agree with him depends on your preferences. As far as I know, he does not include scent in his shave score. I have not tried Asian Pear, so I cannot comment on the scent, but the performance of the recent A&E formula is elite.

I have never used Santa Maria Novella shave cream, but I did check out the Ruds review. Ruds notes that the soap is highly regarded by those who like traditional shaving soaps, especially those who like Italian soaps and creams, but not necessarily by those who like artisan soaps. He noted that the soap has very good slickness. He noted that the post shave feel left his skin feeling somewhat dry. He did recommend using a post shave product along with the cream to make up for that deficiency.  

Like Ruds, I have sensitive skin prefer using soaps that provide a great post-shave feel without having to use a post-shave product. I can use post shave balms, but aftershave splashes irritate my skin. If you do not have sensitive skin, or if you like using post-shave products, then Santa Maria Novella might work quite well for you. As for me, I will still with my artisan soaps.  YMMV.

FWIW, Frank doesn't make anything he sells. His soaps are made by Jennifer Marting of the deceased Mason Boutique brand.

Do you know if Frank develops the formulas and scents?

“That Nostalgia scent (dupe of Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Moss) is fantastic. I like SGS soaps and they have done some pretty amazing dupes in addition to their original scent offerings.”


I really like the fragrance as well.  It has been a long while since I have smelled Creed Irish Tweed, but it reminded me of that fragrance.  Is that a good assessment, or is my olfactory memory not serving me well?

Vr

Matt

FWIW, Frank doesn't make anything he sells. His soaps are made by Jennifer Marting of the deceased Mason Boutique brand.

Do you know if Frank develops the formulas and scents?

I don't know about the scents. I imagine he does have a hand in that aspect, but I'm 99% sure he doesn't have anything to do with formulating the soap base.

“That Nostalgia scent (dupe of Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Moss) is fantastic. I like SGS soaps and they have done some pretty amazing dupes in addition to their original scent offerings.”


I really like the fragrance as well.  It has been a long while since I have smelled Creed Irish Tweed, but it reminded me of that fragrance.  Is that a good assessment, or is my olfactory memory not serving me well?

Vr

Matt

I am not sure, Matt.  It's been a few years since I've smelt GIT.  I don't think I have any samples or decants around.  I may have to secure one, for scientific purposes, of course.   

Nice!  It’s solid, so solid in fact, I decided to break it out again today along with BlackBlade in a themed shave!

Vr

Matt