Artisan soap tiers

The issue with artisan soaps, and for that established brands is stability. An ingredient becomes banned or unavailable, new ownership has to scent mark their territory or some bean counter wants to use cheaper ingredients and concurrently raise the price with a new logo. I've read of several artisans who had a bad batch
for one reason or another. With artisans you have to watch the reviews in case the tide of opinion changes. Also, being artisan these soaps may have their own unique
quirks you need to sort out. Paladin is a PITA to lather until you find the right water ratio and lathering style. Once done it is an excellent soap. I don't believe in tiers.
I'm in earthquake country and one good shaker and only the bottom may remain intact. The Soap Gods may do it to you as a lesson to talk nice about all their children.

Talk about YMMV!

Every soap in my rotation is tier 1.


Current Rotation:
B&M White Label, Glissant, Latha, Reserve
Stirling
PAA/Crown King
Portus Cale
Saponificio Varesino
Crowne & Crane
Haslinger
Nuavia

YMMV is itself a total refutation to these entertaining lists so where does it take us? " 90 percent of doctors smoke Chesterfield cigarettes" or " In my own words" Mrs. F.U. of Bismark S.D. "ACME corn plasters have been on our family cabinet for three generations." Some of us are just 'HATERS' and other's BEILEBERS.----- makes heart symbol with hands framing my MWF magic ceramic dish that hovers 3 inches off the counter slowly rotating when the light is turned off.

Wow...reading members lists has me questioning mine! We really do live in an amazing time in wet shaving.

I really enjoy the way your favourite soap keeps changing.

Well, my favorite soap is not available for sale anywhere. 3 scents; Lavender & Dark Amber, Barbershop, and Peppermint, were given to me by a member of this forum whom I, unfortunately, don't see participating as much anymore. Alas, we all have choices to make. The soap, however, is simply fantastic in every regard.

With that being said, my "other favorites" are:

Top Tier: B&M, L&L Grooming, Stirling, Crowne & Crane
Second Tier: Country Club, WSP, PAA
Third Tier: Jeeve's of Hudson St, Shaver Heaven, Maggard's

What a great thread! It's great reading to see what is top shelf in one den is third rate in another.

Like many, I am fortunate to have so many really great soaps to choose from. Tiered or otherwise.

If we're including non-artisan and artisan soaps, my top tier is XPEC, Reef Point, Stirling, AOS Sandalwood cream, and Soap Commander.

My second tier includes Proraso, Palmolive, Cella, Mike's, Kieh's Lite Flite for the Brush (would be first tier but for the medicinal smell), and B&M, which I have to re-try and reevaluate, Kiss My Face, and Le Pere Lucien.

My personal Top tier would be Martin de Candre + Extro (new releases like Pirata or Espezial) and Myurgia (old discontinued soap bar from Spain) (9-10 out of 10)

Below them I would put B&M, almost there. I haven't try american soaps apart from this one (8.8 - 9.2 out of 10). P&B Spitfire i like very much, maybe a 8.5.

Comming to a tier with good soaps, but not outstanding (7 - 8 out of 10) would place TFS, La Toja bar soap, Le Pere Lucien, Vergulde Hand, Eufros

Below that you have Ginger's Garden, Lea, Crabtree & Evelyn, etc..

Hope it helps

1ST TIER:
Mike's, Mystic Water, Wholly Kaw (tallow/donkey milk), B&M Reserve, PannaCrema Pure2O

2ND TIER (by a very slim margin):
L&L, Stirling, Dapper Dragon, B&M White Label/Latha/Glissant, RazoRock The Dead Sea, TTFFC tallow

3RD TIER:
Soap Commander, Crowne and Crane, Dr. Jon's, Crown King

Disclaimer: I have yet to try other well regarded soaps like Tallow & Steel, Sudsy Soapery, Turtleship, Grooming Dept., P&B, Eufros, etc. Also, a couple others that are really good are Fine and Tabac, but I wouldn't consider them artisan.

Top tier:
Barrister and Mann
Stirling Soaps
Catie's Bubbles
L&L grooming

Second tier:
Mickey​ Lee soap works
Saponificio varesino Pannacrema nuavia
Eufros
Tallow + Steel


Honorable mentions go to Martin de candre, cold river soap works, Dr. Jon's vol. 2, k shave worx, and meißner tremonia

Here are my top want-to-trys:
Turtleship and groomingdept

P.S. it would be interesting to know what criteria people use to separate tiers. Personally, I like availability, great scents, matching Aftershaves, and ones that work well in hard water. My list would definitely shift based upon these criteria.

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