New CRSW ceramic bowl

Come to think of it, though I've had many skin allergy issues with some American artisans, I haven't had any major allergen issues with European products, artisans or otherwise.

I just ordered samples today from Maggards for Barrister_N_Mann ----If I like it I will buy it----no such option for CRSW--so no chance of a sale to me

Are you making the distinction because of the IFRA regulations Barrister_N_Mann? If so, that's also the first thing that crossed my mind when I read that post.

Exactly. I'm curious as to whether fragrances that are IFRA-compliant are less likely to irritate his skin.

Will, I've only tried four products from Euro Artisans (Saponoficio Varesino Felce/Manna and Pannacrema Nuavia Blu/Rossa). These caused me no issues. I tried these when I was on my hot streak of not experiencing irritation haha. I was feeling lucky. No issues with just those few though.

I didn't want you to think I was slagging artisans. I was just trying to make the case for artisan samples and why they work for me, as typically, it would be an artisan product that would cause me irritation, not a mass market soap. There has been only one mass market product that irritated me, and it was TOBS Sandalwood, but I've used many sandalwood products since, so it wasn't Sandalwood.

EDIT: Will I don't want to derail this thread too much more than I already have so if you want to discuss this in a PM when you get a chance thats cool with me.

Are you making the distinction because of the IFRA regulations Barrister_N_Mann? If so, that's also the first thing that crossed my mind when I read that post.

Exactly. I'm curious as to whether fragrances that are IFRA-compliant are less likely to irritate his skin.

Will, I've only tried four products from Euro Artisans (Saponoficio Varesino Felce/Manna and Pannacrema Nuavia Blu/Rossa).  These caused me no issues.  I tried these when I was on my hot streak of not experiencing irritation haha.  I was feeling lucky.  No issues with just those few though.

I didn't want you to think I was slagging artisans.  I was just trying to make the case for artisan samples and why they work for me, as typically, it would be an artisan product that would cause me irritation, not a mass market soap. There has been only one mass market product that irritated me, and it was TOBS Sandalwood, but I've used many sandalwood products since, so it wasn't Sandalwood.

EDIT: Will I don't want to derail this thread too much more than I already have so if you want to discuss this in a PM when you get a chance thats cool with me.

Nope, not at all. It was just a random curiosity on my part. Carry on, gents!

That is interesting about European artisans. Do you think I'd have more luck trying more European products? Obviously most if not all of the mass market products I've tried are European.

Here is my issue with the lack of samples ... The others are right, no sample, no sale. Why?

1. I have no idea from the descriptions what something smells like. Listing 9 scents tells me nothing. Tell me it smells like ginger ale and I'm good. But they don't. I have smelled some samples that were terrible to me smelling like ...

2. I have gotten very red using a few samples. I have no idea why but am trying to figure it out. Gerional? Linalool?   I'm not sure yet. It matters. Trying to isolate exactly what allergen caused an issue is difficult.

3. What about buying high end stuff with no samples?

a. Places like Saponoficio Varesino provide an extensive and detailed list of everything in the soap including if its an allergen.

b. The very top tier, the ABC, MdC  do have samples. ADP, C&S, etc. do not. However, they have been extensively crowd sourced with reviews enough that at least concerning performance, its safe to say they are top tier.   Then again these products don't sell 10 different scents. Its one or two.

c. Fanboys abound for various reasons, to extreme level in places of the internet. Product X is better than Product Y. I have tried Product X and found it lacking - in fact poor in performance compared to its peers. Yet the fans of the products think it can do no wrong. OTH, there does not seem to be the same fiercely strong attitudes towards the expensive stuff. I don't know why. Maybe when its universally accepted as the top tier, it doesn't matter but the middle priced stuff needs samples. There is simply too much competition and if you don't, you competition will.

OTH, if you are in the very top tier of 4 or 5 soaps in price and performance, there is very little competition, just among themselves. So they don't need samples.

4. Middle price commercial products DO sell samples. SJOL, GFT, T&H ALL sell commercially prepared and professionally packaged samples.


BTW, Straightrazordesigns now sells Meißner Tremonia samples. So no samples for a $3.50/oz product? Then no sale.  I guess that is there business decision and that's fine. There is a plethora of other middle range products to try.

It is interesting about samples, most high end products don't offer samples, but many of you, including me, own them, so come on and get real.

Easy to kick a man when he is down and can't defend himself. But I digress.

what do you mean by 'kick a man when he is down and can't defend himself'?

Here is my issue with the lack of samples ... The others are right, no sample, no sale. Why?

1. I have no idea from the descriptions what something smells like. Listing 9 scents tells me nothing. Tell me it smells like ginger ale and I'm good. But they don't. I have smelled some samples that were terrible to me smelling like ...

2. I have gotten very red using a few samples. I have no idea why but am trying to figure it out. Gerional? Linalool?   I'm not sure yet. It matters. Trying to isolate exactly what allergen caused an issue is difficult.

3. What about buying high end stuff with no samples?

a. Places like Saponoficio Varesino provide an extensive and detailed list of everything in the soap including if its an allergen.

b. The very top tier, the ABC, MdC  do have samples. ADP, C&S, etc. do not. However, they have been extensively crowd sourced with reviews enough that at least concerning performance, its safe to say they are top tier.   Then again these products don't sell 10 different scents. Its one or two.

c. Fanboys abound for various reasons, to extreme level in places of the internet. Product X is better than Product Y. I have tried Product X and found it lacking - in fact poor in performance compared to its peers. Yet the fans of the products think it can do no wrong. OTH, there does not seem to be the same fiercely strong attitudes towards the expensive stuff. I don't know why. Maybe when its universally accepted as the top tier, it doesn't matter but the middle priced stuff needs samples. There is simply too much competition and if you don't, you competition will.

OTH, if you are in the very top tier of 4 or 5 soaps in price and performance, there is very little competition, just among themselves. So they don't need samples.

4. Middle price commercial products DO sell samples. SJOL, GFT, T&H ALL sell commercially prepared and professionally packaged samples.


BTW, Straightrazordesigns now sells Meißner Tremonia samples. So no samples for a $3.50/oz product? Then no sale.  I guess that is there business decision and that's fine. There is a plethora of other middle range products to try.

Connaught Shaving and Gifts & Care sell Meinner Tremonia soap and paste samples. Connaught is probably the cheapest option including shipping. 1 sample is $4.95 shipped to US, 2 samples cost $7.77 shipped, just to give you an idea of their prices. The samples are 10ml for 2 British Pounds which is around $2.85, and shipping starts at 1.50 pounds, or about $2.10. I have ordered fro. Connaught a few times and it usually takes about 1 to 1.5 weeks to get my order.

name on the bowl
no refills
no samples

What's next??

Man, this is a tough crowd...

I'm not sure this is the right thread for this, maybe we should start another for it but I have heard the house Larry lives in is a red brick. WTF? Discuss...

I don't participate here as much as I should, but other shaving communities have been quite generous with sharing samples (like the Reddit subgroups).
I actually traded a few samples for a bunch of CRSW samples just this week. He wanted to try Vetiver, I wanted to try Vetiver Moderne. Several PMs later, we ended up agreeing to trade for several samples. Perhaps Larry just wants us all to have these conversations and exchanges with each other - help foster the community and all that jazz. I know it sounds crazy, but Justin from Bufflehead sends empty sample jars with his soaps to help spread the love.
So for those looking to try a sample of CRSW - post something in the b/s/t.


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