My Unicorn

Hello everyone, I just recently joined the forum hoping to learn from everyone's experience and knowledge of traditional wet shaving. The specific reason that brought me to this forum is I'm chasing a unicorn and I'm sure somebody here knows where I can find it. I've seen it discussed in a few places, but the specific question hasn't been asked from what I have found in search results.

My first shaving soap after transitioning from edge in a can was some cream from Walgreen's that apparently doesn't lather now that I have done some research. So I did some more research and picked a soap that I thought I would like. D R Harris Windsor. I'll have to say that it is the best scent I have ever had the pleasure of putting my nose to as far as a shaving product or soap. I bought the aftershave and use it religiously as well. My problem is, I'm not really satisfied with the results I get from the soap. After experimenting with the lather a while, it is better than when I first used it, but it is nowhere near Barrister & Mann or Razorock performance to me. I have tried Son of Zeus and while the scent is similar, It isn't remotely as nice as Windsor in my opinion. Razorocks performs so much better for me though, so I use the SoZ pretty often. I actually purchased some B&M samples and while the performance of their soap is second to none that I have tried, I haven't tried a scent that I like enough to use regularly. Vetyver Santal smells great at first, but the buttery sandalwood part of the scent kills it for me. From what I have gathered, I love Vetiver. Cheshire is okay, but it doesn't do it for me like Windsor does as far as scent.

In summation, I am looking for a soap that performs similar to B&M and smells like Windsor, or at least a more cologne like Fresh Vetiver type scent. All suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance for your help.

CRSW Vetiver Moderne is a good one. It has a nice vetiver cologne scent but doesn't go overboard.



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The 2 best soaps out there right now, from Artisan or Big Boys are Haslinger and Valobra based.....If anyone says different, they're wrong (just kidding, but they are).

If you can swing C&S (it's Valobra soap with a better scent), then do it as they have a couple nice cologne type scents. Actually, Valobra has a soap called Cologne as well as Fern and Patchouli. I prefer the simple and mild scents of Haslinger, but both soaps are world class.

Thanks for the input so far. I have never heard of CRSW, I will have to check that Vetiver moderne out. I have looked at the C&S before, I would never pay the money for the bowl, but $35 for a refill puck of good quality stuff isn't horrible I guess, especially if it lasts. I'm going to have to start a list and pick up extra shifts at work

Thanks for the input so far. I have never heard of CRSW, I will have to check that Vetiver moderne out. I have looked at the C&S before, I would never pay the money for the bowl, but $35 for a refill puck of good quality stuff isn't horrible I guess, especially if it lasts. I'm going to have to start a list and pick up extra shifts at work

Hey, Will, welcome to the rabbit hole. It happens to the best of us and you're in very good company.

B&M's Cheshire is a real favorite for me but you obviously want something more. Have you tried making a super lather (sometimes called Uber lather)? Try mixing a bit of unscented shaving cream with the D.R. Harris Windsor soap. That might give you excellent lather with the scent you want. I believe one of the Brians (ShadowsDad and SharpSpine) has experimented with this and might be able to help.

I do like Cheshire the most out of the B&M soaps I have tried. I will have to look into that super lather, thanks for the input.

Cold River Soap Works are great soaps and the presentation is extraordinary as well.

As to the lather, the community at large has decided that Super lather is a combo of a shave soap and shave cream.

An Uber lather is a Super lather with several drops of liquid glycerin added.

I know, I know. A very particular group.

I have Super lathered on occasion but as I face lather it is very rare (the techniques are typically used bowl lathering) and have used Cremo Cream to solid effect.

Never Uber lathered as I haven't felt the need for enhanced lather nor have sensitive skin.

Good luck!

Cold River Soap Works are great soaps and the presentation is extraordinary as well.

As to the lather, the community at large has decided that Super lather is a combo of a shave soap and shave cream.

An Uber lather is a Super lather with several drops of liquid glycerin added.

I know, I know. A very particular group.

I have Super lathered on occasion but as I face lather it is very rare (the techniques are typically used bowl lathering) and have used Cremo Cream to solid effect.

Never Uber lathered as I haven't felt the need for enhanced lather nor have sensitive skin.

Good luck!

Sorry for the slight misinformation, Kevin. Thanks for the clarification for both Will and me.

Sorry for the slight misinformation, Kevin. Thanks for the clarification for both Will and me.

Hi Freddy, to be honest I find the distinction a little "crazy" but we are a crazy bunch

Thanks for all the info guys! I will try the super lather. D R Harris makes a Windsor cream. I wonder if that would be a good place to start?


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