Grooming Dept

Mohammad, bravo! Magnolia was wonderful, I really enjoyed the experience this morning. I used a Rockwell 6s/#4/Kai combination and achieved a superb 3 pass shave. I found the soap easy to lather to a rich, thick consistency and the scent was outstanding. Performance was too. Thank you, I will be trying Mallard tomorrow and will let you know what I think. Right now I think I'll definitely be adding more Grooming Department soap to my collection. Would any of your scent profiles, existing or planned, include some bay rum perchance?

I have read the recent review posted by BoarderPhreak which was excellent and I would not quibble with anything he wrote except perhaps his suggestion that you stabilize your product and stop mucking about (my words). I believe that you should muck about as much as you like because your goals are noble, i.e., improving your product. I believe that creativity happens when it happens. It can neither be restrained nor forced - its like nature and nature will have its way. So Mohammad, keep on mucking about because I don't doubt that we'll all appreciate where it leads.

Thank you,
Marko

...I have read the recent review posted by BoarderPhreak which was excellent and I would not quibble with anything he wrote except perhaps his suggestion that you stabilize your product and stop mucking about (my words). I believe that you should muck about as much as you like because your goals are noble, i.e., improving your product. I believe that creativity happens when it happens. It can neither be restrained nor forced - its like nature and nature will have its way. So Mohammad, keep on mucking about because I don't doubt that we'll all appreciate where it leads.

Nothing wrong with "mucking about" but either make a separate line for these experimental releases, or label them as such - and put them in a different section of the website. Like each of the bases should be. It's hard to keep anything straight at this point. I'm all for continued experimenting! But people like stability and to be able to easily browse offerings.

This is an extraordinary ingredient. I had a sample size earlier in the summer, I used it in several test batches. Happy to have a larger quantity on hand. It'll be in a special edition base, sometime in March.


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Prisorine 3505 is an exceptionally mild liquid fatty acid that offers a light lubricious feel and can be used in an extensive broad range of cosmetic applications. This ingredient provides excellent superfatting properties, a light, elegant feel and low viscosity. Prisorine 3505 has been shown to increase SPF in sunscreen emulsions using solid or liquid filters. It also offers film forming properties. These characteristics make this an ideal ingredient in hot and cold process soap emulsions, liquid cleansers, shaving products and suncare formulations.

Perfect! Just in time for my birthday.

Mohammad, bravo!  Magnolia was wonderful, I really enjoyed the experience this morning.  I used a Rockwell 6s/#4/Kai combination and achieved a superb 3 pass shave.  I found the soap easy to lather to a rich, thick consistency and the scent was outstanding.  Performance was too.  Thank you, I will be trying Mallard tomorrow and will let you know what I think.  Right now I think I'll definitely be adding more Grooming Department soap to my collection.  Would any of your scent profiles, existing or planned, include some bay rum perchance?

I have read the recent review posted by BoarderPhreak which was excellent and I would not quibble with anything he wrote except perhaps his suggestion that you stabilize your product and stop mucking about (my words).  I believe that you should muck about as much as you like because your goals are noble, i.e., improving your product.  I believe that creativity happens when it happens.  It can neither be restrained nor forced - its like nature and nature will have its way.  So Mohammad, keep on mucking about because I don't doubt that we'll all appreciate where it leads.

Thank you,
Marko

Marko Thank you so much for the compliments. You're one of the people I been have anxiously awaiting to hear from about my soaps

Without mucking about there would be no Grooming Dept! The bases are stable now. Vegan, Tallow and Duck Fat. Nothing will change in them for the next 12 months.

Some artisans, choose to release special edition or limited editions of their soaps by just releasing a new scent or special packaging. My versions of special editions will be to take one of the bases and swap some of its ingredients for other ones. For example, in the future there will be a tallow soap that has the above ingredient as the only source of superfat. There is a version of the duck fat base base that uses goose fat instead of duck fat Those would be special releases in limited quantities.

...I have read the recent review posted by BoarderPhreak which was excellent and I would not quibble with anything he wrote except perhaps his suggestion that you stabilize your product and stop mucking about (my words).  I believe that you should muck about as much as you like because your goals are noble, i.e., improving your product.  I believe that creativity happens when it happens.  It can neither be restrained nor forced - its like nature and nature will have its way.  So Mohammad, keep on mucking about because I don't doubt that we'll all appreciate where it leads.

Nothing wrong with "mucking about" but either make a separate line for these experimental releases, or label them as such - and put them in a different section of the website.  Like each of the bases should be.  It's hard to keep anything straight at this point.  I'm all for continued experimenting!  But people like stability and to be able to easily browse offerings.

I hear you and I don't disagree but I guess I'm just willing to give these guys more latitude, especially in their early days as you pointed out. Theres a range of artisans out there from people like Mike's Naturals which hasn't changed in years (its excellent but when was the last time you heard anybody rave about it?), to Barrister and Mann who had I think 4 bases at one point and now is down to 3. There are some of the old brands who reformulate for economic reasons without regard for the degradation of their product.

Most artisans are constantly creating and releasing new scent profiles and we all seem to be fine with that so what is different about changing the base such as the lamb tallow soap, Angel? I think the market is getting more crowded and its becoming increasingly challenging for soap makers to keep their products and brand front of mind. Some will do limited edition releases with much fanfare like (again) B&M with Fougere Gothique or their successful (on sabbatical) Hallows. Theres the seasonal releases as well. What I'm saying, probably badly, is that whether the constant mucking about is how Mohammad's creative process works or its another way of keeping his brand front of mind or maybe a bit of both, then go for it. I for one am interested to see what comes out of this process.

Mohammad, bravo!  Magnolia was wonderful, I really enjoyed the experience this morning.  I used a Rockwell 6s/#4/Kai combination and achieved a superb 3 pass shave.  I found the soap easy to lather to a rich, thick consistency and the scent was outstanding.  Performance was too.  Thank you, I will be trying Mallard tomorrow and will let you know what I think.  Right now I think I'll definitely be adding more Grooming Department soap to my collection.  Would any of your scent profiles, existing or planned, include some bay rum perchance?

I have read the recent review posted by BoarderPhreak which was excellent and I would not quibble with anything he wrote except perhaps his suggestion that you stabilize your product and stop mucking about (my words).  I believe that you should muck about as much as you like because your goals are noble, i.e., improving your product.  I believe that creativity happens when it happens.  It can neither be restrained nor forced - its like nature and nature will have its way.  So Mohammad, keep on mucking about because I don't doubt that we'll all appreciate where it leads.

Thank you,
Marko

Marko Thank you so much for the compliments. You're one of the people I been have anxiously awaiting to hear from about my soaps

Without mucking about there would be no Grooming Dept! The bases are stable now. Vegan, Tallow and Duck Fat. Nothing will change in them for the next 12 months.

Some artisans, choose to release special edition or limited editions of their soaps by just releasing a new scent or special packaging. My versions of special editions will be to take one of the bases and swap some of its ingredients for other ones. For example, in the future there will be a tallow soap that has the above ingredient as the only source of superfat. There is a version of the duck fat base base that uses goose fat instead of duck fat Those would be special releases in limited quantities.

You're very welcome Mohammad, I know that you have had some challenges in the early days and I'm sure there will be more in the future but I get the distinct impression that you are having fun doing this and if thats the case then i believe that there will continue to be some very special things coming from your workshop. I'm looking forward to it.
Cheers,
Marko

...I have read the recent review posted by BoarderPhreak which was excellent and I would not quibble with anything he wrote except perhaps his suggestion that you stabilize your product and stop mucking about (my words).  I believe that you should muck about as much as you like because your goals are noble, i.e., improving your product.  I believe that creativity happens when it happens.  It can neither be restrained nor forced - its like nature and nature will have its way.  So Mohammad, keep on mucking about because I don't doubt that we'll all appreciate where it leads.

Nothing wrong with "mucking about" but either make a separate line for these experimental releases, or label them as such - and put them in a different section of the website.  Like each of the bases should be.  It's hard to keep anything straight at this point.  I'm all for continued experimenting!  But people like stability and to be able to easily browse offerings.

I hear you and I don't disagree but I guess I'm just willing to give these guys more latitude, especially in their early days as you pointed out. Theres a range of artisans out there from people like Mike's Naturals which hasn't changed in years (its excellent but when was the last time you heard anybody rave about it?), to Barrister and Mann who had I think 4 bases at one point and now is down to 3. There are some of the old brands who reformulate for economic reasons without regard for the degradation of their product.

Most artisans are constantly creating and releasing new scent profiles and we all seem to be fine with that so what is different about changing the base such as the lamb tallow soap, Angel? I think the market is getting more crowded and its becoming increasingly challenging for soap makers to keep their products and brand front of mind. Some will do limited edition releases with much fanfare like (again) B&M with Fougere Gothique or their successful (on sabbatical) Hallows. Theres the seasonal releases as well. What I'm saying, probably badly, is that whether the constant mucking about is how Mohammad's creative process works or its another way of keeping his brand front of mind or maybe a bit of both, then go for it. I for one am interested to see what comes out of this process.

I can definitely understand. And I'm inclined to mostly agree.

What I wish is that there was something stable. And I think there is now. So that's great.

And then I wish that there were something that is experimental. I think there's room for both. Knowing that one is experimental would make those of us that want to try it, able. Mohammad would then be able to take the results of that and build it into the bases every 6 months or year.

Personally, I feel a little funny when I'm still using a base that has been upgraded. I realize that's a personal quirk and I accept that. LOL

My thoughts are not a put-down of Mohammad and his strategy. In fact I've been a very vocal supporter... as I remain.

On another note, I felt a twinge of something when I noticed that the new Tallow bases cost $2 more. At this point, we are probably pushing the highest level I would be willing to pay.

While there is absolutely nothing else that I've ever used that compares as favorably as Grooming Dept does, we are reaching a point where to my mind, it's not twice as good. Yet that is the value proposition that I have to analyze.

Again, I admit this may be personal just to me. And it is absolutely not a statement about the quality of this soap. Which as you know, I find to be extraordinary.

It is starting to remind me of the audiophile world. You can buy a great pair of headphones for around $500. You can also spend $10,000 and above. And for some people, with money to burn it's worth it. The difference however is very small.

So far I have 5 soaps from Grooming Dept. with 2 more on the way that have yet to get all the way here from the last release. So 7 total. And they are by far the best soap I have ever used.

I would rate their performance a 10 out of 10. I would rate their value at about a 6 or 7 out of 10. And I take full responsibility for that rating. Most of that rating comes from the speed at which I'm going through them vs cost. Performance-wise, there is no equal that I have found.

If I sound like I am quibbling a bit, I probably am. But only a little bit. LOL

In any event, I'm still a fan.

Nothing wrong with "mucking about" but either make a separate line for these experimental releases, or label them as such - and put them in a different section of the website.  Like each of the bases should be.  It's hard to keep anything straight at this point.  I'm all for continued experimenting!  But people like stability and to be able to easily browse offerings.

I hear you and I don't disagree but I guess I'm just willing to give these guys more latitude, especially in their early days as you pointed out.  Theres a range of artisans out there from people like Mike's Naturals which hasn't changed in years (its excellent but when was the last time you heard anybody rave about it?), to Barrister and Mann who had I think 4 bases at one point and now is down to 3.  There are some of the old brands who reformulate for economic reasons without regard for the degradation of their product.  

Most artisans are constantly creating and releasing new scent profiles and we all seem to be fine with that so what is different about changing the base such as the lamb tallow soap, Angel?  I think the market is getting more crowded and its becoming increasingly challenging for soap makers to keep their products and brand front of mind.  Some will do limited edition releases with much fanfare like (again) B&M with Fougere Gothique or their successful (on sabbatical) Hallows.  Theres the seasonal releases as well.  What I'm saying, probably badly, is that whether the constant mucking about is how Mohammad's creative process works or its another way of keeping his brand front of mind or maybe a bit of both, then go for it.  I for one am interested to see what comes out of this process.

I can definitely understand. And I'm inclined to mostly agree.

What I wish is that there was something stable. And I think there is now. So that's great.

And then I wish that there were something that is experimental. I think there's room for both. Knowing that one is experimental would make those of us that want to try it, able. Mohammad would then be able to take the results of that and build it into the bases every 6 months or year.

Personally, I feel a little funny when I'm still using a base that has been upgraded. I realize that's a personal quirk and I accept that. LOL

My thoughts are not a put-down of Mohammad and his strategy. In fact I've been a very vocal supporter... as I remain.

On another note, I felt a twinge of something when I noticed that the new Tallow bases cost $2 more. At this point, we are probably pushing the highest level I would be willing to pay.

While there is absolutely nothing else that I've ever used that compares as favorably as Grooming Dept does, we are reaching a point where to my mind, it's not twice as good. Yet that is the value proposition that I have to analyze.

Again, I admit this may be personal just to me. And it is absolutely not a statement about the quality of this soap. Which as you know, I find to be extraordinary.

It is starting to remind me of the audiophile world. You can buy a great pair of headphones for around $500. You can also spend $10,000 and above. And for some people, with money to burn it's worth it. The difference however is very small.

So far I have 5 soaps from Grooming Dept. with 2 more on the way that have yet to get all the way here from the last release. So 7 total. And they are by far the best soap I have ever used. One of them is a little bit messed up. Muhammad asked for photos but then never commented. So let's say that I have six amazing soaps.

I would rate their performance a 10 out of 10. I would rate their value at about a 6 or 7 out of 10. And I take full responsibility for that rating. Part of that comes from not feeling good about one of what I bought. The rest of that rating comes from the speed at which I'm going through them vs cost. Performance-wise, there is no equal that I have found.

If I sound like I am quibbling a bit, I probably am. If I'm going to spend this much money I would like things to be right.

In any event, I'm still a fan.

I see what you mean. But the price includes shipping price-wise my soaps are still cheaper the many soaps on the market. The tallow especially has some very expensive ingredients such as silk peptides and pomegranate oil. I mix my own fragrances and the tallows soaps have really expensive raw scent ingredients. These soaps are much more labor intensive than most soaps. You can't just pour all the ingredients in a crockpot and up end with soap in 2 hours.

I hear you and I don't disagree but I guess I'm just willing to give these guys more latitude, especially in their early days as you pointed out.  Theres a range of artisans out there from people like Mike's Naturals which hasn't changed in years (its excellent but when was the last time you heard anybody rave about it?), to Barrister and Mann who had I think 4 bases at one point and now is down to 3.  There are some of the old brands who reformulate for economic reasons without regard for the degradation of their product.  

Most artisans are constantly creating and releasing new scent profiles and we all seem to be fine with that so what is different about changing the base such as the lamb tallow soap, Angel?  I think the market is getting more crowded and its becoming increasingly challenging for soap makers to keep their products and brand front of mind.  Some will do limited edition releases with much fanfare like (again) B&M with Fougere Gothique or their successful (on sabbatical) Hallows.  Theres the seasonal releases as well.  What I'm saying, probably badly, is that whether the constant mucking about is how Mohammad's creative process works or its another way of keeping his brand front of mind or maybe a bit of both, then go for it.  I for one am interested to see what comes out of this process.

I can definitely understand. And I'm inclined to mostly agree.

What I wish is that there was something stable. And I think there is now. So that's great.

And then I wish that there were something that is experimental. I think there's room for both. Knowing that one is experimental would make those of us that want to try it, able. Mohammad would then be able to take the results of that and build it into the bases every 6 months or year.

Personally, I feel a little funny when I'm still using a base that has been upgraded. I realize that's a personal quirk and I accept that. LOL

My thoughts are not a put-down of Mohammad and his strategy. In fact I've been a very vocal supporter... as I remain.

On another note, I felt a twinge of something when I noticed that the new Tallow bases cost $2 more. At this point, we are probably pushing the highest level I would be willing to pay.

While there is absolutely nothing else that I've ever used that compares as favorably as Grooming Dept does, we are reaching a point where to my mind, it's not twice as good. Yet that is the value proposition that I have to analyze.

Again, I admit this may be personal just to me. And it is absolutely not a statement about the quality of this soap. Which as you know, I find to be extraordinary.

It is starting to remind me of the audiophile world. You can buy a great pair of headphones for around $500. You can also spend $10,000 and above. And for some people, with money to burn it's worth it. The difference however is very small.

So far I have 5 soaps from Grooming Dept. with 2 more on the way that have yet to get all the way here from the last release. So 7 total. And they are by far the best soap I have ever used.

I would rate their performance a 10 out of 10. I would rate their value at about a 6 or 7 out of 10. And I take full responsibility for that rating. Most of that rating comes from the speed at which I'm going through them vs cost. Performance-wise, there is no equal that I have found.

If I sound like I am quibbling a bit, I probably am. But just a little bit.

In any event, I'm still a fan.

I see what you mean. But the price includes shipping price-wise my soaps are still cheaper the many soaps on the market. The tallow especially has some very expensive ingredients such silk peptides and pomegranate oil. I mix my own fragrances and the tallows soaps have really expensive raw scent ingredients. These soaps are much more labor intensive than most soaps. You can't just pour all the ingredients in a crockpot and end with soap in 2 hours.

LOL yes, I realize that. That's why I said that I have yet to find anything that equals your soaps. They are genuinely incredible.

And why I said I take responsibility for my opinion.

They are about at the highest end of what I'd pay regardless of quality. But still within the bounds. It's getting close now to being comparable to the audiophile world. LOL Obviously, not price-wise, but I think you get my point.

I'm impressed with all of your offerings. And I'm impressed with you personally. I guess selfishly, I'm hoping that you're at the level that you will be staying at price wise for the foreseeable future. And that again, as I mentioned earlier, has nothing to do with quality, nor your soaps in particular. Just in general what I'm willing to spend. And I take 100% responsibility for that being perhaps unique and personal to me.

I just got my shipment of Grooming Department from Top of the Chain - the first GD soaps for me, Mallard and and Magnolia.  I haven't tried them yet but they smell wonderful.  Mallard reminds me of Nuavia Rosso and Magnolia reminds me of Bufflehead Velvet Ditch - two of my favourites so I think Im going to really like them.

I have ordered far too many soaps and aftershaves from Carmine in the few months since I learned about the Top of the Chain. His communication and overall service leave nothing to chance and I suppose this is why he is able to attract and stock such a vast range of high quality niche products. I received a large order from Carmine a few days ago and the first I tried were Grooming Dept Mallard followed by After The Fire.

My first shaves were with a 6/8 Boker that badly needs a trip to the hones. It has been my almost daily razor for a few months so I know how it shaves with a large number of specialty soaps. I was interested in how the GD soaps lathered and smelled more than shaving performance. Both have been raved about online so I knew they would give a good shave but I was  really in for a treat. Both made that Boker seem like it just came from the spa rather than needing a trip to it. After The Fire edged Mallard out and it might move to the top of my collection pushing several favourites from B&M, L&L, P&B, T&S, aside... You guys get the gist. Mallard will be right behind After The Fire. Thick thirsty lather with cushion and cutting power. ATF has a barbershop based scent to kill for and an aftershave feel that is perfect for the arctic chill my area has been experiencing.

Grooming Dept has hit the sweet spot for this shaver in a very tight competitive market. Top of the Chain just added eight more Grooming Dept to the site so my wallet is going to get emptied again. If you are in Canada and thinking of trying Grooming Dept times are good.

I am really enjoying the quality of discussion on this site and the contributions from the merchants. Be interested in comment on how Bufflehead compares to GD. Is it worth the chase?