PAA General Thoughts?

I've never used any HTGAM/PFF/PAA products before (which is also true of a lot of artisan products out there), but I did give Miami Libre a sniff when CaD314 sent me some for the Movember donation drive last year and it smelled awesome.

I bet that one would be nice to use with Chatillon Lux Colbeck. Do you get much cigar scent? I read reviews that said it was more mojito.

I've never used any HTGAM/PFF/PAA products before (which is also true of a lot of artisan products out there), but I did give Miami Libre a sniff when CaD314 sent me some for the Movember donation drive last year and it smelled awesome.

I bet that one would be nice to use with Chatillon Lux Colbeck. Do you get much cigar scent? I read reviews that said it was more mojito.

I haven't smelled it since around October 2015.

I just got finished speaking with Eileen from gingers garden and she's going to custom make me an aftershave and she knows what Braggi is and she's going to try and match it. I think that would be a small miracle but I'm going to give it a shot. She's got so many scents listed has anyone tried her aftershave or cologne and maybe can recommend a real spicy Woody earthy cologne type non sweet scent

I've never used any HTGAM/PFF/PAA products before (which is also true of a lot of artisan products out there), but I did give Miami Libre a sniff when CaD314 sent me some for the Movember donation drive last year and it smelled awesome.

I bet that one would be nice to use with Chatillon Lux Colbeck. Do you get much cigar scent? I read reviews that said it was more mojito.

It's straight mojito, but it's got a funky note to it too once you apply it. Maybe that is supposed to be the cigar? I didn't like it I know that.

I have only ever used 1 B&M soap, Night Music, so take what I am about to say with a huge grain of salt...

I did not like it at all. I know it is a thirsty soap, so let's clear that up right away, and my water is not overly hard. I have no issues lathering anything from Williams Mug soap to Captain's Choice.  I have never had difficulty with any soap except Crabtree & Evelyn and Barrister & Mann.

In both cases, no matter what I try, I end up with either sticky, unusable crust, or runny, watery bubbles, both of which are useless for shaving. I even tried super lather and uber lathers with the C&E to absolutely no avail.

I'm not blaming the soaps as far too many people like both varieties for it to be the fault of the soap. However, for whatever reason, I cannot make either soap work for me.

And I suppose that is why "YMMV" is such a popular phrase in this hobby...

Regarding the "tendrils"...I've never experienced that with PAA, but I have a tub of Shave Revolution "Bourbon Room" that does this. It lathers fine, and performs well, but loading the brush is...odd...I get great, long strings of goo coming off the soap, connected to the brush tips. Not sure what it is...

I'm sorry to hear that, Chris. Perhaps Latha is more your speed? I'd be happy to send you a jar if you PM me your address.

That is an extremely generous offer but it is really not necessary. I intend to give Latha a fair trial soon, and the Night Music was a PIF that I won, so I did not lose out at all.

However, that is easily the best display of customer service I have ever seen. I can't commend you enough.


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Fair enough. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you change your mind.

Also, Al Fin is a beautiful scent!

I have only ever used 1 B&M soap, Night Music, so take what I am about to say with a huge grain of salt...

I did not like it at all. I know it is a thirsty soap, so let's clear that up right away, and my water is not overly hard. I have no issues lathering anything from Williams Mug soap to Captain's Choice.  I have never had difficulty with any soap except Crabtree & Evelyn and Barrister & Mann.

In both cases, no matter what I try, I end up with either sticky, unusable crust, or runny, watery bubbles, both of which are useless for shaving. I even tried super lather and uber lathers with the C&E to absolutely no avail.

I'm not blaming the soaps as far too many people like both varieties for it to be the fault of the soap. However, for whatever reason, I cannot make either soap work for me.

And I suppose that is why "YMMV" is such a popular phrase in this hobby...

Regarding the "tendrils"...I've never experienced that with PAA, but I have a tub of Shave Revolution "Bourbon Room" that does this. It lathers fine, and performs well, but loading the brush is...odd...I get great, long strings of goo coming off the soap, connected to the brush tips. Not sure what it is...

I'm sorry to hear that, Chris. Perhaps Latha is more your speed? I'd be happy to send you a jar if you PM me your address.

That is an extremely generous offer but it is really not necessary. I intend to give Latha a fair trial soon, and the Night Music was a PIF that I won, so I did not lose out at all.

However, that is easily the best display of customer service I have ever seen. I can't commend you enough.


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Hi BadDad , I have a ton of respect for your views and opinions and I think its too bad that you can't make the B&M soap work for you. Its easily my number 1 soap and I find both their regular formula and the glissant base to be outstanding.

I won't lie, early on I had some struggles lathering B&M soap when I was using a bowl/scuttle lathering technique and I persevered and eventually got to where I had acceptable lather, however, since adopting the Merkur Man lathering technique, all of my lathers have been elevated to new heights especially with the Barrister and Mann soaps. I used to be particular about pairing the right brush to the soap, soft brushes for this soap, boars for that one and so forth but now I find I can use whatever brush with whatever soap/cream/croap and get the lather I want.

All I can say is Thanks Merkur Man!
Mark

Barrister and Mann is on my list of soaps to try along with CRSW. I have to try and get through some of the soaps I do have first though lol. Should I go for the Latha line or the regular line?

Barrister and Mann is on my list of soaps to try along with CRSW.  I have to try and get through some of the soaps I do have first though lol.  Should I go for the Latha line or the regular line?

The regular line is not Glissant base yet. If you want Glissant get Adagio or whatever else you see available. Latha line is just about as good imho as the other two formulas. If you have hard water get Latha or Glissant to be safe. Some people have issues with the older formula with hard water.

Barrister and Mann is on my list of soaps to try along with CRSW.  I have to try and get through some of the soaps I do have first though lol.  Should I go for the Latha line or the regular line?

My opinion only but I would go with regular first, the Latha line is very good but the feature attraction really is the regular line up.

Barrister and Mann is on my list of soaps to try along with CRSW.  I have to try and get through some of the soaps I do have first though lol.  Should I go for the Latha line or the regular line?

I find the B&M Latha line to be more of a straight forward shaving soap. There's no lanolin or silk protein in this line. They are also a little cheaper. I also find that I get great lathers and shaves from the Latha line.

The regular line of B&M Soaps is split into two soap bases right now. The Glissant base is the newer formula and has been called a game changer. It provides excellent performance. Right now I think the Glissant base is in mostly the LE and seasonal soaps. The standard/stock scents line is still the last formula soap base. These will eventually be transitioning to the Glissant base. That said, the older formula soap base is also a great performing shaving soap in its own right. I've had great shaves with all 3 soap bases from B&M. I find all of B&M's offerings really great.

I feel like you could just pick one of the B&M soaps in a scent that appeals to you and just give it a whirl. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I believe Maggard Razors sells samples in the US and MensEssentials sells sample of B&M in Canada, if you want to go the samples route.