First Impressions : Noble Otter Barr Barr

(I posted this as a SOTD over at reddit. It ended up being a first impression, so I thought I would share here)

Nov. 28, 2017 - Barrrrr
Prep: Warm Water
Brush: Paladin 26mm PK-47 Butterscotch
Razor: Blackland BlackBird Machined Modified
Blade: Wizamet Iridium Super (6)
Lather: Noble Otter - Barrbarr - Soap
Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - Unconditional Surrender - Salve

My First use of Barr Barr by /u/nobleotter

The presentation was top notch, but to me it doesn't matter that much. But it was nice. I like the wide, not so high tin containers (like old CRSW). These are easy to store in my limited space den. Nice label as well.

This soap is not hard, not too soft either.

This scent reminds me of proper Barbershops I used to go to when I was younger and outside US. I love it, it reminds me of the talc powder barbers used to spread on my neck after a haircut. My wife thinks it smells like the Cockroach Control Spray that she uses from time to time. It smells a lot like Cooper and French Barbershop (from memory), maybe a bit more lemony? I have gone to traditional barbershops in 3 countries ( South Korea, Turkey and my home country), I would say this is kind of the universal Barbershop scent.

The soap is fairly easy to lather, it doesn't start like the gooey paste (L&L, WKDM, Mystic Water for example), but ends up being a slick dense lather. I liked it a lot. But I think I used less water than required, not by much though.

The area where this soap shines is post shave. I didn't use any post shave product after the shave for 2.5 hours (only left over lather). I would say I was 80-90% satisfied. The only soaps I can think of having marginally better post shave would be: Nuavia, Mystic Water and on some days Mitchell's wool fat, (maybe B&M reserve is compatible..I don't know). Of all the new soaps I tried this year (B&M Reserve, WKDM, GD, Esbjerg, SMN), this would be the winner in post shave department for me - I wasn't expecting this. I checked the ingredient list afterwards, but didn't see anything special. I suppose, something at some concentration did the trick for me. Just like the Latha line - I get better post shave from Latha than Glissant, White Label.


I know it is only one shave, but I don't expect post shave to be worse in future.


This was an Impulse buy and my only regret is not getting other samples.

Thanks Sourav. I like the artwork a lot. The Trail is tempting.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Just ordered a container of The Trail and Flying Hyde. Exciting!

The Trail is en route. My daughter loves Otters and I can't wait for her to see the art on this one.

ANG69 and shevek , now you guys are making me nervous

I only posted my first impression and I was extremely pleased with the post shave, it will take more shaves to judge other aspects.

Hope this product doesn't disappoint you guys.

We shall see....

Noble Otter is a very good soap. I have their Nectar Amissa they did for Reddit /r/Wetshaving. A few extra notes for anyone curious.

Their soaps are now in metal screw top tins like the old CRSW.

The soap scents are 5-6/10 across the board.

The aftershaves are 4oz not the usual 3.5oz. They're alcohol based but heavy on some oils so use a little bit as it spreads easy. The scents on the splashes are quite strong at 8/10 across the board.

Best scents from their line that I've smelled are The Trail and Flying Hyde.

ANG69  and shevek , now you guys are making me nervous

I only posted my first impression and I was extremely pleased with the post shave, it will take more shaves to judge other aspects.

Hope this product doesn't disappoint you guys.

No worries. If it doesn't work out, it will be added to the long list of other soaps that i also can't blame you for Although it would be nice for someone else to take responsibility for it lol.
This purchase has a good probability of success: ingredients list, scent description, your comments, reasonable expectations and of course the otter thing. We'll see how it goes.

ANG69  and shevek , now you guys are making me nervous

I only posted my first impression and I was extremely pleased with the post shave, it will take more shaves to judge other aspects.

Hope this product doesn't disappoint you guys.

No worries. If it doesn't work out, it will be added to the long list of other soaps that i also can't blame you for   Although it would be nice for someone else to take responsibility for it lol.
This purchase has a good probability of success: ingredients list, scent description, your comments, reasonable expectations and of course the otter thing. We'll see how it goes.

Whatever happens, no one can take away the 'otter thing'!!

just received my order of Flying Hide and The Trail. Both of them smell fantastically, and the Flying Hide might be my favorite leather scent. IMO it is very well blended and sophisticated. Will be shaving with it tomorrow.