Dragonsbeard review and pass around

Today's SOTD:

Brush: Shave Revolution 24mm Silvertip
Soap: Dragonsbeard
Razor: RazoRock Lupo (stainless steel)
Blade: Astra SP (3)
Post: Dragonsbeard aftershave

Ok, so I've tried A LOT of soaps like I'm sure many of us here have, but very few have given me this good of a first impression. I was really impressed with the lather quality of this soap. I'm very familiar with Oleo's soap base which is already very good, but the addition of sheep and camel milk along with the EOS Complex really takes it to another level. The lather has a creaminess that is rivaled by few, if any and the slickness both primary and residual is most definitely top tier even against the draggy feeling of the DLC coating on the SS Lupo (not my favorite feature of this razor if you can't already tell). I'm sure it will feel even slicker with a different razor.

Initially I wasn't sure about the scent off the tub because I'm not the biggest fan of oud, but by the time I lathered up and applied it to my face it was actually quite enjoyable. I feel like the scent on the aftershave is a bit different, leaning into a gourmand caramel-like scent for a few minutes before drying down into something really lovely that I can't quite put into words. I guess it's the blend of oud/agarwood oils and resins. It's a great scent for this time of year regardless.

The aftershave went on silky smooth with no burning or irritation to speak of and left my face feeling super super soft. However, as is common this time of year, I was left with some dryness. I don't know if this is because I skipped my usual splash of Humphrey's Skin Softening witch hazel before the aftershave (because I wanted to gauge the AS performance on its own) or not but I did apply some balm after about 10-15 minutes to get rid of it. I do realize that soaps and aftershaves are not meant to be moisturizers but the best ones do mitigate the drying effect to some degree. I'm really looking forward to using this set for the rest of the week though as I have read that there is a cumulative positive effect on the skin that occurs over time.

Thanks so much Dragonsbeard for hosting a second round of this pass around for those of us that missed out the first time!

Thank you for the excellent review and description of what you used for your first shave. As far as the dryness try two things. One try a splash while your face is a little damp and then another one after your face is completely dry and see if the skin food does it's job. This time of year is tough on skin but as you mentioned the skin food should start to work it's magic the more you use it. I am coming out with a lotion that will be stronger in the moisturizing than the splash and also with the next splash there will be a higher percentage of the new updated EOS complex so things should only get better with the next release. I'll keep you on the sample list as soon as I have the next gen samples to send out.

The scent is definitely a multi layered scent with Agarwood oil, Oud Resin, Rose Absolute, Amber, Sandalwood and a touch of vanilla bean.

Can't wait for the next review and feedback.

I enjoy the scent of Agarwood/Oud. I am really looking forward to giving this one a test lather and shave.

Happy Turkey Day to all!

Hope it's okay to drop my video review of the Dragonsbeard Soap/Splash here
https://youtu.be/wKaKQtJAmME

Hope it's okay to drop my video review of the Dragonsbeard Soap/Splash here
https://youtu.be/wKaKQtJAmME

Thank you Dave in KY for the video and review. I’m very happy to hear you like the shave soap & Skin Food Splash and hope you enjoy the bar soap. I’ve been asked to do a 2 in 1 shampoo/body wash and an EDP in that scent and I’m definitely going to plus a pre shave and Skin Food lotion for those with extra dry skin.
Your correct there will be some more soaps releases coming up shortly. My biggest dilemma right now is getting the darn website up. I lost about 2 weeks . My web designer had a family emergency so nothing got done during that time period so we are trying to play catch up.

Once again Dave thank you very much!

Frank

It's been a crazy busy week/weekend so my apologies for the lack of updates on my subsequent shaves with the Dragonsbeard set. I went on to shave 4 more times with it using various gear to get a feel for how it would perform in my normal rotation of stuff. The razors I used (in order) were the RazoRock German 37, GEM Junior, and RazoRock 0.84 Game Changer (for the last 2). I also switched up my brush of choice using my 26mm Maggard mixed knot, 22mm Maggard black fiber synthetic, 28mm Declaration B7, and 24mm AP Shave Co. Cashmere. Regardless of the brush used the soap lathered with ease and performed at the same high level as the first shave. What I like most about this soap is the dense, low volume lather it creates along with the incredible slickness, including residual. No worries whatsoever if you want to go over already shaved areas or buff those trouble spots. It leaves the skin feeling soft, supple, and nourished. I believe that the combination of milks and the EOS Complex take the already good post shave of Oleo soaps to the next level. The scent is also very well done. Warm, sweet, woody, and resinous. A perfect blend for the current season in my opinion.

I did however have some dryness issues with the aftershave. I did use the "damp face" method as I do with all of my aftershaves with the same results. What was strange is that it didn't last for very long. I would apply the aftershave, the dry feeling would kick in a few minutes later, but after about 15-20 minutes it was gone and my face was left feeling soft and supple again. I can't explain it, but overall I'm pleased with the products. The scent is incredible and the performance is among the top tier. The set is now on it's way to Darktrader. Thanks again Dragonsbeard for doing the pass around. I will definitely keep my eye out for more releases from you in the future!

wyze0ne

Thank you for the detailed review and feedback. It is much appreciated because as you know there will be the next generation of this combo coming after the New Year so it’s all helpful to me when reformulating. My suspicions on you feeling a bit of dryness initially which then goes away leaving your face feeling as you mentioned soft and subtle is because of the amount of alcohol that’s in the Skin Food splash. Remember this is Oleo Soapworks Aftershave formula with just my EOS Complex in it. The next generation will have less alcohol and more witch hazel along with more aloe, a higher percentage of the EOS complex and some other additional ingredients. So what’s probably happening is the alcohol gives you that initial dry feeling and then you start feeling the effects of the EOS Complex kick in. I have one question what was the overall condition of your skin while you were using the 2 products?

Thanks again sir!

The soap and splash arrived today. Thank you wyzeOne. Well packed btw. Immediately had to check out the sent as I really do enjoy the scent of Agarwood / Oud if done correctly. It hit all the right notes for me and did not come across overdone, synthetic, trying too hard or just plain off. Like the packaging also. First test - try the splash and see what SWMBO thinks. She is not a fan of most scents but the ones that she does are usually my favorites so I am lucky in that regard. She rarely comments on my shaving gear AD. The first and most direct was right after introducing the 10th badger to the herd that she ventured to suggest I had more than enough. Thankful that the soaps were safely stowed away. Well, that was 7 brush ago so...
Well she just came home and buried her head in my neck which, when asked, it was less about me but more about the scent. Nice work Frank! Tomorrow's shave I will treat like a typical monday. Cleaned the Carbon and loaded a hand stropped fresh feather. Will report tomorrow night.

The soap and splash arrived today. Thank you wyzeOne. Well packed btw. Immediately had to check out the sent as I really do enjoy the scent of Agarwood / Oud if done correctly. It hit all the right notes for me and did not come across overdone, synthetic, trying too hard or just plain off. Like the packaging also. First test - try the splash and see what SWMBO thinks. She is not a fan of most scents but the ones that she does are usually my favorites so I am lucky in that regard. She rarely comments on my shaving gear AD. The first and most direct was right after introducing the 10th badger to the herd that she ventured to suggest I had more than enough. Thankful that the soaps were safely stowed away. Well, that was 7 brush ago so...
Well she just came home and buried her head in my neck which, when asked, it was less about me but more about the scent. Nice work Frank! Tomorrow's shave I will treat like a typical monday. Cleaned the Carbon and loaded a hand stropped fresh feather. Will report tomorrow night.

I'm glad the misses likes the scent! Got to please them LOL

Can't wait to hear your feedback on your morning shave my friend. Oh and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who likes to hand strop a Feather blade. For me it gets rid of the slight harshness I used to get on the first shave with a Feather.

Apologies for not posting last night but it was a long day. The only change to the daily prep was not using GD's pre- shave. Scooped out about an almond size sample and began to bowl lather with a Paladin 28 PK-47. For those keeping score at home the knot code is 2cld4 and it was my first high end - I can't believe I spent this much on a brush - purchase and is one of my favorite knots. The sample was easy and quick to lather, developed a very nice shine and had good presence on my face. The beauty about the lather was its' excellent density, creamy goodness and slickness. Went with my usual 3 pass - WTG, XTG and AGT. The Carbon felt as if it was skating on ice especially in the areas that are always in need of buffing. Really enjoyed the soap. Skipped the usual post shave witch hazel and started the clean up and then the dryness began. Not a bad thing just different from anything I experienced. It was as if the my pores closed and slowly brought my skin to attention. But it did not feel dry as in not moisturized. I let that play out for a few minutes then hit it with the splash. You can feel the skin relaxing as it took in all the good stuff in the splash. During the day my skin felt great even with spending some significant time in yesterdays low 30's temp and wind. This mornings shave will be with a different Paladin and the Timeless HP Ti 95 with a feather going on it's 3rd shave.

Darktrader Excellent review and first off congrats on the new Paladin they are great brushes. I only have one but thoroughly enjoy it. So what you felt was the Camels milk going to work and I'm so glad you mentioned the slight dry feeling.. Toxins being pulled out and like I said before in past posts my objective it to improve the overall health of the skin without making it feel oily. Good small molecule skin food ingredients are active and the whole experience of using them as opposed to relying on just oils which can lead to an oily post shave feeling especially after a few hrs after use and depending on the oils used can also clog pores.. which btw if you had the Sheeps & Camels milk along with the EOS Complex would began to clear out and sometimes when that is the problem ( clogged pores ) people might notice a slight burning or tingling sensation when the ingredients are doing their job to unclog the pores. So again that's for the details of your shave with the soap and aftershave. It is very much appreciated.