Underrated Shaving Soaps

Unrated stuff - German Vegan Hard Soaps.  My two favorites:

Soap Smooth is a good soap that I never see mentioned. I would say most creams are underrated. A lot of people start this hobby with creams but go down the performance/scent rabbit hole of artisan soaps. I know I did. I started working some weird hours and pulled out the creams when I was short on time and most of them are great.The creams that are always mentioned are the 3 T's, Castle Forbes, XPEC, and Baume.be. Those creams are all real good but there are others that are just as good or even better. St. James of London, Simpsons, and the Art of Shaving make an outstanding product for the same price of the 3 T's. Speick is another quality product that out performs it's price. I actually prefer Speick over Proraso, T&H and GFT.

I would say most creams are underrated.

Boy, you can say that again. I would have to agree whole heartedly.

Soap Smooth is a good soap that I never see mentioned. I would say most creams are underrated. A lot of people start this hobby with creams but go down the performance/scent rabbit hole of artisan soaps. I know I did. I started working some weird hours and pulled out the creams when I was short on time and most of them are great.The creams that are always mentioned are the 3 T's, Castle Forbes, XPEC, and Baume.be. Those creams are all real good but there are others that are just as good or even better. St. James of London, Simpsons, and the Art of Shaving make an outstanding product for the same price of the 3 T's. Speick is another quality product that out performs it's price. I actually prefer Speick over Proraso, T&H and GFT.

Absolutely agree. I have most of the usual creams mentioned, including Castle Forbes, XPEC and Baume.be, but the best in my book is Wm Neumann. It comes in a huge 8oz jug with a hand lotion-type squirt applicator. The scents are all amazing, and one squirt is all you need. The jug lasts forever. My favorite under-rated shaving product. The aftershaves are amazing as well, but not as value-oriented.

Here's another line that people seem to really reverence, so much so, that I believe this soap line is regarded as "high-end" or "premium". They deserve every bit of those types of accolades, but I never see anyone talking about or posting Ballenclaugh:




My very first SOTD here at DFS, I used the B&C 'Hot Barrel Rose'

I agree, Ballenclaugh is a highly underrated artisan soapmaker. Original scents, cool packaging, and of course excellent quality and ingredients. Ballenclaugh and Grandstaff are 2 of my highly loved underrated soaps. Thank you for bringing this soap to attention of others.

To put it slightly differently, these are some great brands I’d like to see more of on the forum (in some cases it means I myself should also use them more):

Dr. Jon’s Shaving Soap Co.
Sapone Di Paolo
Soapy Bathman
Tabula Rasa
Wickham Soap Co.

Ballenclaugh Shaving Soap seems to have been winding down its manufacturing, so in a way, it’s not surprising that there’s an absence. A tremendous manufacturer that could perhaps have even more visibility is Stirling Soap Company, considering how wide their product range is.

To put it slightly differently, these are some great brands I’d like to see more of on the forum (in some cases it means I myself should also use them more):


Sapone Di Paolo


Ballenclaugh Shaving Soap seems to have been winding down its manufacturing, so in a way, it’s not surprising that there’s an absence.

Matt, SdP is a phenomenal soap artisan. All of the Sapone di Paolo scents, IMO, are spot on! Just wonderful soaps in every aspect of wet shaving.

I'm gonna have to look into what you're saying about Ballenclaugh slowing down production, I hope they are not thinking of ceasing because B&C is definitely one of my absolute faves

I know you do. Totally agree with TONE Shaves  MWF is fantastic. I see the light scent as a plus too

Psst, check this out:

http://i.imgur.com/QTL4QtZ.jpg

Get your wallet ready man.  

Perhaps I'm out of the loop, but what's special about the soap beyond the can?

Speaking of containers for SV:

That's the stoneware container, right? Sweet.

The recipe is beta 4.3 they usually add something to improve on the last formula, but if you liked the previous one and you still have it in your den, I think you're good.

zaclikestoshave if I'm not mistaken  really knows his stuff when it comes to SV formulas.

Soap Commander, Tiki, and Mickeylee Soapworks. They don't come up that often anymore and they are top-shelf products.


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Vintage Brooks Brothers shaving soap, not only underappreciated but virtually unknown. It can be found for quite low prices and has lather that equals in quality that of vintage Penhaligon's and Floris soaps.