The Very Best Budget Soaps / Creams Where Money is The Object!

I think we need a better definition of "budget". It seems to me this thread should be focused on low-cost soaps. Im not talking about a $60 puck of soap that might last 4 months for some people, but a puck of soap that costs $5 for everybody...

We have 3 categories being talked about and 2 of them are already covered in the other soap thread...

Look around the internet. The median cost of a 4oz puck of artisan soap is about $15. So use that as a starting point for the definition of "budget". If the cost of a soap, outright, not per shave, is higher than that, than it is not a budget soap.

You can justify high-cost soaps any way that works for you. Thats fine. But in the end, $30 or more for a puck of shaving soap is not budget, no matter how you slice it. Its high end, luxury soap.

The "cost per shave" argument should be moot, in my opinion. You cannot buy soap by the shave, you must buy it by the ounce. That is the cost that should be used to gage whether or not a soap is budget.

The idea that $60 puck of soap us a budget item is odd to me. Coming from someone that has had to choose between gas in the tank and food on the table, those arguments just dont make sense. No matter how good a soap is, some of us cannot lay out that kind of cost just to cut the hair of our faces, or head, as in my case.

In my personal opinion, any soap that costs more than $3-4 per ounce is automatically disqualified as a "budget soap". Its just not budget conscious for anyone with a real budget, and frankly, thats where this thread should be focused.

If we want to discuss the best VALUE soaps, than perhaps a different thread that will break down the cost per shave value of the soap to help those that are looking at it from that persepctive. We have the high end thread, this should be the low-cost, or economy thread.

Start a value-based thread that ignores initial cost in favor of per shave cost. It is a different topic, in my opinion...

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I think that some of us have different definitions for "economic", that's all. I respect your view on things, but I don't think that the cost per shave is moot. You can get a really cheap car but with a terrible mileage so you end up spending much more on gas. Maybe we can clarify the thread to be "cheapest soap that's still acceptable to you"?

But that is what this thread is supposed to be. Budget conscious soaps where the cost is the concern.

It's not a "best value" soap, or "which soaps last the longest", or even "What is the cheapest soap that still works". It is "what soaps are inexpensive and still provide good performance".

$12 per ounce is not inexpensive. Regardless of the per-shave potential for a stingy loader, $12 per ounce is not inexpensive. $2 per ounce is.

Someone mentioned cars with high gas mileage. I accept that challenge. For someone that has $3,000 to spend on a vehicle, the gas mileage is regarded only on an "as it comes" basis. It's VASTLY easier to come up with $20 to fill the tank every other week than it is to come up with an ADDITIONAL $3,000 for a better efficiency vehicle.

By the same token, it is VASTLY easier to come up with $4 for a tub of Amici every other month than it is to save up for almost a year at the same cost for a tub of McD, no matter how long that tub lasts.

I can buy 6 tubs of Amici soap PLUS 6 bottles of Amici splash for the cost of 1 tub of McD. To put these 2 soaps in the same "budget" category is just silly, in my opinion. It's not a budget soap, no matter how you slice, or how much patience you have.

At the end of the day, if I have to save up for almost a year to buy a tub of soap at $2 per month(the cost of Amici)...it's not a budget soap. It is a luxury item, thus the need to SAVE UP for it.

A BUDGET item does not require one to save up for an indefinite period of time just for the privilege of experience said item. Budget means inexpensive. $60 for 4 ounces of shaving soap is not inexpensive, by any degree.

If we are really trying to help budget conscious shavers find the best budget-priced soaps, we need to forget this idea that saving up for a year to buy a soap that *might* last 4 months is a viable option. It isn't.

Very well said Chris. Couldn't agree more.

One of the first soaps I bought was Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood.  I did enjoy using the soap and it as a great place to start with such a low price point.   One of the best soaps I own or have used is Mystic Water.  The cost of refill pucks combined with performance of the soap make it a real winner for me.  I make my own shave sticks from the refill pucks and as I thin out the current soap inventory, I plan on purchasing more Mystic Water soap.

Clint, great to hear you are enjoying the soap.

Celestino, Mystic Water is one of my favorite soaps at any price point. Like many people new to wet shaving I have tried a lot of different soaps. Part of this was a learning experience to determine what I want out of a soap. I think now I have a solid basis for choosing what works best for me. I have found that I prefer soaps that are extremely slick with good to great post shave feel. Mystic Water wins on both those counts. I have tried MW Lavender, Lime and Orange Vanilla. All have been pleasant and straight forward. I thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Are you sure? I'm looking at their site now and it's 12.99$/4.4oz (2.95$ per oz) for the vegan line and 14.99/4.7oz (3.19$ per oz) for the tallow.

It's 14.99 on Amazon.

That's with free Prime shipping though right?

For people who can afford $100 a year I suppose. It was the 12.99 not too long ago. I asked if he was going continue raising prices(because it was 11.99) said no, then month later or so went to 14.99. Lucky for me I have a rotation so I can enjoy my wsp scents, when their gone their gone . They've priced their soaps out of budget range for me and many others. Cella is $11 on Amazon for 5.2 ounce, razorock is on there too, along with many other good and budget priced soaps.
I've never tried mdc so can't say how wsp compares, but if price keeps going up I'd rather try the real deal. I'm not bashing on wsp, it's great predominantly soap. Originally it was 7.99, then 9.99, 11.99, 12.99 and now 14.99. I'm just seeing a unfortunate trend.

For new people getting into wet shaving, Amazon is a great place, most people already shop there, so they can just add soaps and stuff to one of their orders to try it. I see no reason to have two prices on the same soap when soap by the same entity.

"Can I ask what razor you're using? I'm interested in your view on what counts as a "budget" razor."


Right now the razor I use is a RazoRock Mission that I paid $19.99 for. No wait, I won this razor on a PIF, so it didn't cost me anything. Can't get more budget than that. But if I was looking to buy, that is the price I would be willing and able to pay without feeling guilty.

And please forgive me if I come across as "angry" or whatever. I am not. I am, however, an exceptionally cost-conscious shaver, and my entire den is built around a very strict budget.  You will not find a tub of Martin de Candre soap in my den, because there is no chance I can afford to spend $50-60 bucks on a tub of soap. That's enough gas to get me back and forth to work (45 miles one way) for 3 weeks. That's what I spend on groceries for the week.

So if I seem a little "zealous" in my arguments, please forgive me. I do find it slightly insulting when someone says $60 is "budget" if you have patience and save up for it. Unless that $60 tub is going to last me for the next 12 months it takes to save up for another one...it is not budget. If it takes longer to come up with the money to pay for it than it actually lasts...it's not budget.

As a bit of insight, I currently have about 20 soaps in my den, ranging from Jeeves of Hudson St and Tiki Bar to Williams and Van der Hagen. Of those 20 or so pucks of soap...16 of them were gifts from other shavers looking to thin their den of unused product. I really appreciate their generosity because otherwise, my den would consist solely of Williams, VDH, and my 2 luxury tubs...Captain's Choice Bay Rum and Maggard's Tobacco and Leather...both of which fall squarely in the median-cost range, and both of which were "splurges" on my part.

I make decent money, and I'm not looking for "sympathy" or whatever, I'm just trying to display what a real budget shaver looks at.  I *might* buy a real artisan soap once a month at $15/4oz. That is splurging on a budget.

As a single father to a rapidly growing young lady, soaps are not high on the priority list...

Your argument reminds me of my own reaction when people tell me to just give in and buy Creed's Green Irish Tweed and Aventus. They assure me that it's worth it. But there's absolutely no way I'll ever spend that much money on a bottle of cologne. For the same type of money I could get a new smart phone, a weekend staycation with my wife, that new bed frame my wife has been asking for, etc. Even worse, how could I possibly justify spending nearly $100 / oz on something like that when I could buy Stirling's Sharp Dressed Man and Executive Man, and use the difference to buy food for the homeless people that one of our ministries does church services for once a month?

Sorry, didn't mean to sidetrack the thread, I just wanted you to know that I completely understand your response.

I also consider shipping prices into soap prices. If I can get soap a for $10 and soap b for $10 +7 shipping. Then soap b really cost $17.

The Yankee soap from wsp is an example. I really want it but can bring myself to pay $18 for 4oz.

That's why I wait to either buy a few soaps or add soap to another order. That's how poor I am. I can't ignore shipping so have to count it when considering soaps. Some places were able to ship stuff for $2 which isn't bad. Maggards or wcs is good are ship prices for single items. Think it was $3 so 10.99 for a 7.99 soap.

Guess budget soap depends on the group your talking about. I mean for bill gates mdc would be considered super cheap. For those who don't have $5 in their wallet at any given time mdc might as be a gold bar. Which many would want but will never have.

If I won the lottery I'd buy mdc aspec and tons of other soaps.

It's 14.99 on Amazon.

That's with free Prime shipping though right?

For people who can afford $100 a year I suppose. It was the 12.99 not too long ago. I asked if he was going continue raising prices(because it was 11.99) said no, then month later or so went to 14.99. Lucky for me I have a rotation so I can enjoy my wsp scents, when their gone their gone . They've priced their soaps out of budget range for me and many others. Cella is $11 on Amazon for 5.2 ounce, razorock is on there too, along with many other good and budget priced soaps.
I've never tried mdc so can't say how wsp compares, but if price keeps going up I'd rather try the real deal. I'm not bashing on wsp, it's great predominantly soap. Originally it was 7.99, then 9.99, 11.99, 12.99 and now 14.99. I'm just seeing a unfortunate trend.

For new people getting into wet shaving, Amazon is a great place, most people already shop there, so they can just add soaps and stuff to one of their orders to try it. I see no reason to have two prices on the same soap when soap by the same entity.

I agree, they're getting close to that point for me as well. My only advantage is that they are local for me, so I can go down to their shop and pick them up for the standard price with no shipping.

PAA has done the same thing. They were right on the edge of my price range back when they still offered the 8 oz tins. But those 8 oz tins were still (barely) within my personal price threshold. The 3 oz tins never were. Now that they've done away with the 8 oz offerings, they've taken themselves off of my list.

OK, I'm the new guy here but will put out my opinion anyway. Like many others, I've been trying all kinds of different soaps and creams and have found one universal truth whether it be shaving equipment, shaving consumable items, to tools used in anything in life. For the most part,  you get what you pay for. However, its the "for the most part" that gets you.

I've found sound "cheap" consumables, like Mystic Water, that are fantastic. And some "expensive" consumables, I consider poor.  That said, setting aside total performance (in that some are just IMO simply better than others), ignoring economies of scale or to be explicit, cost per shave, is a false economy that in the long run costs those who are cost conscious more money.

This is true not just in these consumables but most things in life and I will give just one example. I think most men carry some kind of wallet, whether it be large or small. Over the years I can't begin to remember how many I have bought. I hate the idea of buying another wallet and would find the cheapest or reasonably priced one I could find. For the most part, a wallet is not a durable good but is consumed by wear and tear. It can wear out in 6 months or 6 years. But a cheap one WILL wear out, sooner or later.  I always knew I could just go to a chain department store and get another and spend another $20 or so. Finally I woke up and bought a good one, guaranteed for life (or 100 years or something like that). Sure, the sunk cost was MUCH greater than I was used to paying. It was a shock to the system.  But after several years, I now know I will NEVER buy another wallet - ever. And if it falls apart, it will be replaced free.  Quality matters.

In this case, ignoring cost/shave is a mistake. As I use Mystic Water samples, they are 1/2 oz. So that's 8 samples per 4 oz. Even though a tub cost under $10, I found myself getting maybe 3/4 shaves per sample at best. So maybe a container lasts a month or so (32 shave?). I'm not sure because I haven't used an entire puck yet. Whatever the number comes out to, I do know the cost/shave is a far cry from the number coming from a tiny MdC sample.

Sunk cost can be deceptive. You might not be getting what you think you are. I entirely understand when things are tight, well things are tight. But like I figured out in wallets, quality does matter and in the long run, can be much cheaper. Ignore it at your own peril. Sometime its better to go for economies of scale rather than a quick cheap purchase.

Just my thought.

OK, I'm the new guy here but will put out my opinion anyway. Like many others, I've been trying all kinds of different soaps and creams and have found one universal truth whether it be shaving equipment, shaving consumable items, to tools used in anything in life. For the most part,  you get what you pay for. However, its the "for the most part" that gets you.

I've found sound "cheap" consumables, like Mystic Water, that are fantastic. And some "expensive" consumables, I consider poor.  That said, setting aside total performance (in that some are just IMO simply better than others), ignoring economies of scale or to be explicit, cost per shave, is a false economy that in the long run costs those who are cost conscious more money.

This is true not just in these consumables but most things in life and I will give just one example. I think most men carry some kind of wallet, whether it be large or small. Over the years I can't begin to remember how many I have bought. I hate the idea of buying another wallet and would find the cheapest or reasonably priced one I could find. For the most part, a wallet is not a durable good but is consumed by wear and tear. It can wear out in 6 months or 6 years. But a cheap one WILL wear out, sooner or later.  I always knew I could just go to a chain department store and get another and spend another $20 or so. Finally I woke up and bought a good one, guaranteed for life (or 100 years or something like that). Sure, the sunk cost was MUCH greater than I was used to paying. It was a shock to the system.  But after several years, I now know I will NEVER buy another wallet - ever. And if it falls apart, it will be replaced free.  Quality matters.

In this case, ignoring cost/shave is a mistake. As I use Mystic Water samples, they are 1/2 oz. So that's 8 samples per 4 oz. Even though a tub cost under $10, I found myself getting maybe 3/4 shaves per sample at best. So maybe a container lasts a month or so (32 shave?). I'm not sure because I haven't used an entire puck yet. Whatever the number comes out to, I do know the cost/shave is a far cry from the number coming from a tiny MdC sample.

Sunk cost can be deceptive. You might not be getting what you think you are. I entirely understand when things are tight, well things are tight. But like I figured out in wallets, quality does matter and in the long run, can be much cheaper. Ignore it at your own peril. Sometime its better to go for economies of scale rather than a quick cheap purchase.

Just my thought.

That's true. However, consider this:

1 tub of MdC costs $60 and provides roughly 6 months of shaves(180 shaves), which is about $0.33/shave, under the best conditions of a stingy loader.

15 tubs of Amici costs $60 and will last a minimum of 15 months, which is about 450 shaves which equals $0.13/shave, under normal conditions with a generous loader.

MdC, under the best of conditions, is twice the cost of Amici. One is a true budget soap. The other is a luxury purchase that people are desperately trying to give the appearance of a budget item to...

That's true. However, consider this:

1 tub of MdC costs $60 and provides roughly 6 months of shaves(180 shaves), which is about $0.33/shave, under the best conditions of a stingy loader.

15 tubs of Amici costs $60 and will last a minimum of 15 months, which is about 450 shaves which equals $0.13/shave, under normal conditions with a generous loader.

MdC, under the best of conditions, is twice the cost of Amici. One is a true budget soap. The other is a luxury purchase that people are desperately trying to give the appearance of a budget item to...

I admit I never heard of Amici so I went and looked it up. $3. And I thought CO Bigelow was cheap because they about give those away.

OK, you got it. If it does the job for you and you are happy, then so be it. Only you can decide that. I was gearing this more at the $12 - 15 range that seems to be prevalent among "artisan" soap makers. There is no way MdC can compare to $3.