In Praise of Martin de Candre – an Every Day Work Horse

Freddy

Given the cost of some of the special editions and limited editions of some of the American Artisan soaps, MdC is priced in line with them or even cheaper, even with shipping.

200g for $55 to my door from France vs $40 for 115g for a B&M LE to my door from the USA. This doesn't take into account any free shipping offers, promo discounts or soap concentration.

If it works for you or are curious, it isn't that expensive compared to many soaps that are praised on forums.

That said, I've used a more than a full tub and have concluded that it doesn't make the cut for me.

As you said:

There's always room for one more, gentlemen.

While I admit to being curious about MdC, with amazing soaps from the likes of Barrister & Mann, Tallow + Steel, Stirling, Dapper Dragon, and others, and at a fraction of the cost, I definitely don't feel the need to rush out and try it.  If it falls my way then great but if not then I cannot believe I am missing all that much.  (And if I am, oh well. )

The best way to try MdC is the samples from Old Town Shaving. They are only $4.79 and the shipping is a flat rate $5.75 for as many as you want. They have plenty of other samples to try at various prices.

Great article, thanks for taking time to write it.

While I admit to being curious about MdC, with amazing soaps from the likes of Barrister & Mann, Tallow + Steel, Stirling, Dapper Dragon, and others, and at a fraction of the cost, I definitely don't feel the need to rush out and try it.  If it falls my way then great but if not then I cannot believe I am missing all that much.  (And if I am, oh well. )

Freddy,

I'm planning on buying a jar soon. I'll make sure some falls your way when I do.

I am in the "like it" camp. I have used 1/2 of a Brain Bowl (Pif'd); and now in rotation, have a new original (plastic jar, but really elegant) and 2/3 jar (glass) Fougère. I get great shaves and the scents are brilliant.

Great article, thanks for taking time to write it.

I am in the "like it" camp. I have used 1/2 of a Brain Bowl (Pif'd); and now in rotation, have a new original (plastic jar, but really elegant) and 2/3 jar (glass) Fougère. I get great shaves and the scents are brilliant.

I wonder why they changed to plastic.

I am in the really enjoy MdC camp. I find it to be an honest straight forward soap. I find it extremely easy to lather with good slickness. I like both scents as well. It does not provide the highest level of post shave feel but I use shea butter or aftershave balm with most soaps anyway. While the initial costs is high, I find that it ends up being one of the more economical soaps on a per shave basis.

I wonder why they changed to plastic.

I'm just guessing, but it has to be more cost effective to use Plastic.

I wonder why they changed to plastic.

I'm just guessing, but iy has to be more cost effective to use Plastic.

Reduced shipping cost(s) as well although I do like the glass containers.

I enjoy MdC as well; no issues with slickness nor post shave drying as others report. Very easy to lather per clint64 's comments and holds a fair amount of water [which contributes to the slickness].

the Fougere scent has a blend of 12 different essential oils.

Thanks for bringing that up because I didn't express that correctly. I should have said for Fougere, that the scent to me is simple and I know EXACTLY what it is. I mentioned before I dislike ridiculously long scent descriptions like "walking through the rain and smelling peanuts growing from the fresh earth". Fougere I get - ferns and the best description I came across is this video. Just watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psytvYSMsi4

I get fern. I can walk into my backyard and smell ferns. Its green and fern. So I should have explained it better.

On another note, did yours come in a plastic PETG jar?  

No, solid jar but its more than 6 months old.

 While the initial costs is high, I find that it ends up being one of the more economical soaps on a per shave basis.

Maybe I missed something in the explanation, but how is "every day work horse" an oxymoron? Every day and work horse aren't contradictory at all.

bakerbarber got it right. Many, many people complain it cost too much. I think its relatively cheap simply because despite the fact there are hundreds of posts across the internet telling consumers its lasts a LONG time and  you get a LOT of product resulting in a fairly low cost/shave, many just don't understand that. Just like clint64 says in the post above. So in a way, it is an oxymoron. Its probably the "cheapest" of what I consider the elite products in terms of cost/shave and because of that, I might use it more often making it a workhorse.

When I was  young, I'd buy a wallet, whatever was cheapest at some chain department store. Inevitably it wore out and a few years later, I'd buy another, and then another, and then another. After 20 years, I might own 6 $20 wallets. I learned a long time ago, I buy one $50 wallet, and its will still be around after I am long gone.  Quality matters. MdC is the same way. Sure it cost maybe $50. But you will buy one while you might be 3 or 4 of the "cheaper" soaps.