Barrister and Mann Excelsior opinions & my take

Hi all, 

I just got my gist two shaves with B&M excelsior base via my annual purchase of Leviathan.

I’m curious if I’m crazy here. I Shaved 3 times in the last week and a half with Glissant (Promises) and  think Glissant is better for me. For that matter, white label might have been better than both.

Am I crazy? Maybe I’m not dialing it in?  I think I’m putting lots of water in it.

I used to think like that too. Then a friend suggested I add an insane amount of water - now, with so much water that lather is almost runny, it is an excellent/elite soap for me.

There isn't any other soap I use that requires this much water.

Try loading a bit longer. The soap requires a bit of work and when face lathering. It’s a bit easier in the bowl but more enjoyable on the face. Adding 3-4 drops of water as you progress this lather explodes and can get runny if you add too much water. When dialled in right this lather can be much more rewarding than glissant and even reserve. Love this base but I only have east egg atm... I’ll have to explore some more


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Hi all, 

I just got my gist two shaves with B&M excelsior base via my annual purchase of Leviathan.

I’m curious if I’m crazy here. I Shaved 3 times in the last week and a half with Glissant (Promises) and  think Glissant is better for me. For that matter, white label might have been better than both.

Am I crazy? Maybe I’m not dialing it in?  I think I’m putting lots of water in it.

I agree, Excelsior is not my favorite B&M formula.

I also agree that it’s not my favorite. I find the post shave feeling lacking. My face is significantly drier than when using talbot, A&E, and possibly even glissant. I’m wondering if I haven’t been adding enough water which I would find strange given my experience with wet shaving. I’ll try adding a bit more water than I’m comfortable with the next time I use it.


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Yes, that is what is most disappointing! The post shave is drying. More than Glissant. I find performance during the shave to be really good even though lathering is less intuitive than Glissant.

I agree with those that prefer Glissant. I picked up Diamond last year and love the scent but the lather is just ok.

I actually prefer excelsior. I find that both primary and residual slickness are much better with excelsior. As far as post shave, I couldn't care less. That's what aftershaves and moisturizers are for.

I actually prefer excelsior. I find that both primary and residual slickness are much better with excelsior. As far as post shave, I couldn't care less. That's what aftershaves and moisturizers are for.

I so rarely hear or read what you've said there about post-shave, but I totally agree! I've never truly understood it as a factor in a shaving soap. Obviously, if my face felt dry and tight after using a soap I wouldn't like that, but I can't say I've noticed any difference in how my face feels from the mass produced stuff to artisanal.

Why do we factor it into the performance of a soap so much when there's balms etc that accomplish that job and are meant to be left on the face?

I actually prefer excelsior. I find that both primary and residual slickness are much better with excelsior. As far as post shave, I couldn't care less. That's what aftershaves and moisturizers are for.

I so rarely hear or read what you've said there about post-shave, but I totally agree! I've never truly understood it as a factor in a shaving soap. Obviously, if my face felt dry and tight after using a soap I wouldn't like that, but I can't say I've noticed any difference in how my face feels from the mass produced stuff to artisanal.

Why do we factor it into the performance of a soap so much when there's balms etc that accomplish that job and are meant to be left on the face?

I don't understand it either. The only thing I care about in a shaving soap is primary and residual slickness, that's it!
There are lots of very good and light moisturizers out there for people who don't like heavy balms or alcohol splashes. Cerave's baby moisturizing lotion is one example.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who doesn't care about post shave