Market "Barometer"

I remember when Talbot's soap sold out in minutes (if not less) when it was available at WCS. However, I see now that it does not and their newest is still available after at least a week or so. I cannot help but wonder how to interpret this.    It appears the market has exploded with so many new artisan soaps that what were once the "Holy Grail" soaps have become, if I dare say, memories. It has become like the female cosmetics market (if not worse   ), i.e., a constant tooth & claw brawl to remain relevant in a dog eat dog market. Vicious it is.  

I’ve been thinking the same thing. I bought, received, and used the newest Talbot soap, Winter’s Refraction, and it’s probably my favorite Talbot scent thus far.

As others have said, it’s probably just going to get to the point where you choose a soap based upon it’s scent, ingredients, bias toward the maker if any, and personal aesthetics because performance is going to be pretty similar.

How many "the best base ever" soaps does one need? Guys are saturated.

I've never tried Talbot because I could never get it and I did notice it was available at WCS but thought pretty much what dominicr  said below.  I don't need to start another brand obsession and if I've made it this far without Talbot I guess I can go a little longer.  Probably.

There is obviously different tiers and sectors of the shaving soap market.  Some of the makers set out to make the best soap ever, while others set out to make a very good soap for a reasonable price. There are also those that are marketing a brand or lifestyle eg, The Holy Black, where the soap, while reasonably good, isn't really the main thing they're selling.  Theres also makers like Sebum that must use unicorn tears or parts of endangered species in their soap in order to price it at a point that will make them ridiculously exclusive.  Basically there seems to be something for everyone the ones that will be around for the long term are those that succeed in their chosen sector of the market. (duh)I think its tough to stay relevant and in front of the consumer and avoid being relegated to obscurity.

I remember when Talbot's soap sold out in minutes (if not less) when it was available at WCS. However, I see now that it does not and their newest is still available after at least a week or so. I cannot help but wonder how to interpret this.    

Very simple. Talbot was aware of his soap selling out in no time so he has expanded the batches of his soap on release day so there's plenty for everyone. Of course until they sell out at some point.

Marko nailed it. I know our goal is to become a regular shaver's everyday soap. We feel that is where real longevity will be. We want each of our scents to find users that will become their daily use product. It's nice to have a few guys that like all of our scents, but we really want the former. Then buy the matching balm or splash, then repeat.
We have competition that comes up with new stuff every 2 weeks and catalogs of dozens of scents. We'll just keep rolling and building. We're aware and ok with the fact that we're not forum darlings.

Soap is at an absolute standstill right now especially with used gear.

So many tier 1 & tier 2 options to be had coupled with soap lasting 6 months or more it's become a use it once or twice and try to get 75% back to flip into a new release.

Allot of guys, myself included have gone unscented which has shrunk the secondary market big time.

I love Talbot soap. Just don't need a shelf of it next to my shelf of T&S, Grooming Department, Eleven, B&M or discontinued or limited edition stuff that just piles up.

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I've never tried Talbot because I could never get it and I did notice it was available at WCS but thought pretty much what dominicr  said below.  I don't need to start another brand obsession and if I've made it this far without Talbot I guess I can go a little longer.  Probably.

There is obviously different tiers and sectors of the shaving soap market.  Some of the makers set out to make the best soap ever, while others set out to make a very good soap for a reasonable price. There are also those that are marketing a brand or lifestyle eg, The Holy Black, where the soap, while reasonably good, isn't really the main thing they're selling.  Theres also makers like Sebum that must use unicorn tears or parts of endangered species in their soap in order to price it at a point that will make them ridiculously exclusive.  Basically there seems to be something for everyone the ones that will be around for the long term are those that succeed in their chosen sector of the market. (duh)I think its tough to stay relevant and in front of the consumer and avoid being relegated to obscurity.

Marko nailed it. I know our goal is to become a regular shaver's everyday soap. We feel that is where real longevity will be. We want each of our scents to find users that will become their daily use product. It's nice to have a few guys that like all of our scents, but we really want the former. Then buy the matching balm or splash, then repeat.
We have competition that comes up with new stuff every 2 weeks and catalogs of dozens of scents. We'll just keep rolling and building. We're aware and ok with the fact that we're not forum darlings.

These two posts definitely speak to me.  A crowded handful of artisans have been offering soap du jour limited editions, partly in hopes of generating more revenue, and partly to roll out successively better performing soaps (they hope).  Their soaps have become moving targets.  Rather than have the greatest soap of the moment, I would prefer a great soap with a likeable scent that I know and can rebuy at the time of my choosing.

I buy less of their soap these days, and I am more likely to invest in a new base when the maker's track record is a record of both excellence and stability.  I find it ironic that people who know better than me say that profit will come increasingly from skin food and scents, but - at least as far as I am concerned - they are shooting themselves in the feet with their LEs and SEs.  Some time back, I dialed my post shave product purchases way back in response to the soap du jour phenomenon.  I am much more likely to buy a matching product if I know the soap will be there when I want more.

... at least as far as I am concerned - they are shooting themselves in the feet with their LEs and SEs...

Decrypt needed.  "Long end & short end"?   

Limited Edition and Special Edition