A serious question on Soap/Cream Reviews

With regard to the lack of standards and objective metrics for comparing soaps, I agree that there are too many variables at play for scientifically accurate comparisons. Once fragrance preferences and lather quality predilections are added into the equation, all bets are off on whether you would agree with any given reviewers opinion.

One of the best attempts at doing comparison reviews are some of the videos done by ShaveBusta in which he lathers two soaps with the same types of brushes, for the same amount of time, with the same water, with the same amount of beard growth and shaves each side of his face, with the same razor, with each of the two soaps being compared. He then immediately gives his impression of the shave for each side of his face. I think that's about as close as one can get to being able to make an accurate soap comparison.

Very good example @"Uzi". But still, the only comparison and evaluation that would really matter would be your own.

Very good example @"Uzi".  But still, the only comparison and evaluation that would really matter would be your own.

Agreed. I am not normally a metric oriented shaver meaning I only load until I have to, build lather and hydrate until it's right and not by the clock ie "Hey, I loaded for 30 seconds" etc.

But on testing some soaps for an artisan recently with varying ingredients I actually did time my load, lather and limited hydration to the same measured amount using the same brush [I also used a digital scale to ensure the load was similar pre/post]. It was a complete PITA and contrary to my habits but it did allow me to get closer to an empirical perspective on varying soaps and their relative performance.

I don't expect reviewers to get to this level of detail nor would I frankly even appreciate it as it is still just an opinion at the end of the day. Theirs, not mine.

At the end of the day this is all a very good explanation as to why you do not see these types of reviews very frequently.

It all comes down to YMMV based on individual skill sets and experience...


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It should be clear that when I speak of negative review, since there are not absolute scores (i.e., there is no standards like miles per gallon), that it only means relative to one another (i.e., soaps compared against its peers) in a manner that is subjective to the individual - that is covered under the YMMV CYA criteria.

That said, there is still a huge variability in many attributes besides scent. From personal experience I have had some soaps literally DRY on my face and others DRY in the bowl or scuttle while shaving. Easy of lathering is another widely variable attribute as is residual slickness and after shave feel. OTH, slickness and cushion, IMO, seem to have a tighter variability window.

It should be clear that when I speak of negative review, since there are not absolute scores (i.e., there is no standards like miles per gallon), that it only means relative to one another (i.e., soaps compared against its peers) in a manner that is subjective to the individual - that is covered under the  YMMV CYA criteria.

That said, there is still a huge variability in many attributes besides scent. From personal experience I have had some soaps literally DRY on my face and others DRY in the bowl or scuttle while shaving. Easy of lathering is another widely variable attribute as is residual slickness and after shave feel. OTH, slickness and cushion, IMO, seem to have a tighter variability window.

After 30 pages, it seems like you have found the answer to your original question as to why negative reviews are not posted...they are extremely subjective, and therefor, not a very "fun" task to participate in...

With so much variability and nuance between different users of the same soaps, it's no wonder people get upset when their favorites are bagged on, and nobody wants to do them...

Extremely subjective, good or bad ones, well said BadDad.

With so much variability and nuance between different users of the same soaps, it's no wonder people get upset when their favorites are bagged on, and nobody wants to do them...

And if I had a nickel for every time that I heard "First time I used this I couldn't get a decent lather [flash forward 6 mos.], now I understand what all the hubbub is about!" I could retire.

The reality is, just because somebody posts reference pieces, does not make them a subject matter expert. If you think about Gladwell's 10,000 Hour Rule, some person who has 3 years of wet shaving may have tried many things and enjoy posting their thoughts but would they be a master of wet shaving? If shaving every day with a long shave of :30 that only equates to 547 hours of "deliberate practice".

A long way to go to mastery...

I also think people take it as personal attack if their favorite brands are criticized or their individual technique called into question. As with anything, being open to improvement is never a bad thing in my humble opinion and is not reflective on the individual as a person.

If you think about Gladwell's 10,000 Hour Rule, ...
I also think people take it as personal attack if their favorite brands are criticized

The 10,000 hour thing is a fallacy called out two years ago in a learned paper http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/201...0.abstract see http://www.businessinsider.com/new-study...ule-2014-7

The fanboy thing is very true and exists in every forum. Its certainly not limited to shaving forums. Its part of who people are. How dare you criticize my choice?

I have learned that when I voice a negative opinion of certain artisans people get all worked up.

Those are the fanboys. To be fair, this is not limited to this niche hobby but prevalant in many forums on different subjects. Say something negative about their product of fan adoration and they get upset. There is nothing wrong of being a fan of a product, team, or even a side of an issue. Its when it becomes an obsession that its ridiculous.

OTH, don't let the fanboys persuade you or change your opinion. They can scream until the end of time that Product X was handed down by Mount Olympia but it doesn't change the fact a product might still be garbage.

Amen brother. Do not let other people's opinion change your thoughts. This is a YMMV hobby and we all find different products that work/and don't work for each of us. It can be good to revisit a product at a later time and see if things change, it can't hurt ( unless you get Razor burn lol).