Gents, I was only recently aware of the demise of Strop Shoppe from the artisan shaving soap market. I am not too surprised but that is hardly germane to the conversation to hand. I was incredibly impressed with the shave quality of their soaps. At least the editions that contained tallow and/or lanolin(I think). These were genuinely superb soaps and the Black Tie scent was a legitimate home run. I am not a huge fan of out and out 'cologne' fragrance shaves soaps but that one was something special. Anyroad, gone is gone and nothing for it. I won't hound the web looking for stashes of it. Time to source a replacement.
So lets set some parameters. I have used a lot soaps over the last twelve years. Most of the major players in what we think of as commercial brands and a number of the early artisan efforts. I am extremely sceptical of any small batch maker til I have used their products for a good ten shaves to get the feel of it. I have tried a number of craft made soaps only to be wildly disappointed. I also realise things are much different in 2016 and a few of us predicted that as well starting back in 2012/13 or so. We knew the artisans were on the path to the top since many of the old houses had compromised their products to modern outsourcing and cheapening.
Okay, let me start with those brands I am not interested in. Let me say they are not bad products. I used them and simply did not get the results I wanted. It does not mean they won't provided the results you like. Mike's, Barrister & Mann, LASS, and a few others. Good soaps, just not favourites in shave or after feel. I really like Mystic Water as my top artisan and the slickness and after feel are unparalleled. So where do start looking? You can tell from my comments I tend to lean toward a tallow base but honestly, I have used some veg soaps that were spectacular. Order of requirements; Shave quality>aftershave feel>scent. I do not really care for menthol and would prefer to stay away from it. Same with gourmand scents. I don't want orange creamsicle or banana split scented soaps. Fougere is a favourite, old school florals, mild orientals(Hammam Bouquet) and the old classics like Tabac and English Leather. Okay, fire away.
Replacement For Strop Shoppe?
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