Questions about hot soaps right now

I actually dig cologne scents. In fact some of my favorite soaps have cologne type scents. It sounds like many of you have confirmed that Grooming Dept doesn’t have a strange scent to the base anymore so sounds like they are worth a try to me.

@iamsms, thanks. I've said it over and over again, but I appreciate when others on the forum (yourself included) express opinions on products that are all over the scale, not just glowing praise all the time. If you do try Oleo, make sure it's the Canard base. The vegan one is decent, but nothing special. GD's vegan base is a lot better than Oleo's.

GroomingDept, thanks for the level-headed response to my criticism. It shows what kind of person you are to not get all defensive about it. You know, after rereading my post, it came off a bit more harsh than I was intending it to. You really do have some great soaps going and I'm thinking maybe it's just the scents that I didn't like more than anything else about them. Unfortunately, the two scents I really liked (After the Fire and Ambrosia) did not work for my skin (of course ). It's a shame because Ambrosia is actually one of my favorite scents I've ever smelled in a shaving soap. Oh well, can't win 'em all I guess.

SCShaver, I think Grooming Dept is definitely worth a try if you're curious. If you like cologne type scents, the original Mallard, Angel or Amber & Oud would be good choices IMO.

@iamsms, thanks. I've said it over and over again, but I appreciate when others on the forum (yourself included) express opinions on products that are all over the scale, not just glowing praise all the time. If you do try Oleo, make sure it's the Canard base. The vegan one is decent, but nothing special. GD's vegan base is a lot better than Oleo's.

GroomingDept, thanks for the level-headed response to my criticism. It shows what kind of person you are to not get all defensive about it. You know, after rereading my post, it came off a bit more harsh than I was intending it to. You really do have some great soaps going and I'm thinking maybe it's just the scents that I didn't like more than anything else about them. Unfortunately, the two scents I really liked (After the Fire and Ambrosia) did not work for my skin (of course ). It's a shame because Ambrosia is actually one of my favorite scents I've ever smelled in a shaving soap. Oh well, can't win 'em all I guess.

SCShaver, I think Grooming Dept is definitely worth a try if you're curious. If you like cologne type scents, the original Mallard, Angel or Amber & Oud would be good choices IMO.

I appreciate your response, and your humility! This is why I love DFS, you really can have a conversation with people

You expressed your opinion without the need to make it a personal attack on me or my business. I have been ferociously attacked here by certain people here and I didn't utter a word. I'm currently being viciously savaged for Aether's bad batch (I offered anyone who bought and didn't like it a refund or replacement) by certain people over on the hivemind, I find it amusing that some people go out of their way to be negative, bullying, demeaning, and seem so bitter! I'm thankful that DFS doesn't tolerate this type of behavior.

I didn't take offence from anything you said. My soaps have gotten so much better within a span of 10 months. This year will show my commitment to taking my soaps to extraordinary levels. I'm going to be releasing bases that have simpler ingredients, along the lines of classic Italian luxury soaps. I'm listening to the criticism that my scents are too cologne-like and will be releasing many soaps with simpler lighter scents.

@iamsms, thanks. I've said it over and over again, but I appreciate when others on the forum (yourself included) express opinions on products that are all over the scale, not just glowing praise all the time. If you do try Oleo, make sure it's the Canard base. The vegan one is decent, but nothing special. GD's vegan base is a lot better than Oleo's.

GroomingDept, thanks for the level-headed response to my criticism. It shows what kind of person you are to not get all defensive about it. You know, after rereading my post, it came off a bit more harsh than I was intending it to. You really do have some great soaps going and I'm thinking maybe it's just the scents that I didn't like more than anything else about them. Unfortunately, the two scents I really liked (After the Fire and Ambrosia) did not work for my skin (of course ). It's a shame because Ambrosia is actually one of my favorite scents I've ever smelled in a shaving soap. Oh well, can't win 'em all I guess.

SCShaver, I think Grooming Dept is definitely worth a try if you're curious. If you like cologne type scents, the original Mallard, Angel or Amber & Oud would be good choices IMO.

I appreciate your response, and your humility! This is why I love DFS, you really can have a conversation with people

You expressed your opinion without the need to make it a personal attack on me or my business. I have been ferociously attacked here by certain people here and I didn't utter a word. I'm currently being viciously savaged for Aether's bad batch (I offered anyone who bought and didn't like it a refund or replacement) by certain people over on the hivemind, I find it amusing that some people go out of their way to be negative, bullying, demeaning, and seem so bitter! I'm thankful that DFS doesn't tolerate this type of behavior.

I didn't take offence from anything you said. My soaps have gotten so much better within a span of 10 months. This year will show my commitment to taking my soaps to extraordinary levels. I'm going to be releasing bases that have simpler ingredients, along the lines of classic Italian luxury soaps. I'm listening to the criticism that my scents are too cologne-like and will be releasing many soaps with simpler lighter scents.

Well said, Mohammad.

When I participated in a Grooming Dept tallow soap passaround, I joined in largely because I couldn't make the two vegan soaps I'd purchased to lather. I wanted to see if Mohammad's new tallow releases were capable of making lather in my hand. I was impressed with the tallow soaps, and said so. I also confessed that the vegan soaps I'd purchased didn't work for me, in contrast. Mohammad PM'd me to offer two replacements for my vegan soaps, free of charge. He wouldn't even let me pay postage. The two new vegan soaps, Conca and Neroli, are awesome, and are right up there with Mallard, my other Grooming soap. The net is that I'm very impressed with Mohammad as a craftsman and, more importantly, as a human being. I'll always be a fan.

I'm impressed with the discussion thats going on in this thread - its not restricted to people raving about their favourite soaps but rather, a more balanced likes and dislikes of various brands. There are amazing things going on in the shaving soap world and there will obviously be some misses along the way, either generally or for certain people who are still exploring the boundaries of their tastes and preferences. Its the nature of online shopping that we can't smell something before we buy it so we're going to wind up with some stuff we don't care for. Scent is so subjective but I don't think slick is and I can honestly say I haven't had a bad soap in years from a performance of the base point of view. Yes there are some that are slicker than others, for example the vegan Oleo soaps aren't where they need to be in my opinion but the duck fat bases are amazing. That might be why Oleo is switching over to all duck fat soap. If you like Oleo's vegan base or just want to try it, Top of the Chain is discounting all Oleo vegan base soaps now.

Its funny, you don't hear much talk of super lathering anymore - If you've not heard of it, thats where you would boost the lather of a soap with the addition of some shaving cream, Nivea Sensitive does a good job and doesn't really interfere with scent. I think its because there isn't really a need to now that soap bases are so slick. I recently picked up a puck of Ogallala Bay Rum soap because it was one of the first shaving soaps I ever used. I used it exclusively for a couple of years and was happy with it. I love their scents (not sandalwood or vanilla though) and I thought that they must have upgraded their formula by now. Nope, exact same soap, its performance pales compared to the latest stuff but still I love the smell. I'm going to try super lathering it for old time's sake.

Its funny with soap, I thought I had what I wanted a few years ago but then a new artisan comes along and I try it and just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in again n This year its Oleo, last year it was Grooming Dept and the year or so before that it was Wholly Kaw, Declaration Grooming, Tallow + Steel. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining but when someone asks about hot soaps, man, I could go on..... They're all hot!

I'm impressed with the discussion thats going on in this thread - its not restricted to people raving about their favourite soaps but rather, a more balanced likes and dislikes of various brands. There are amazing things going on in the shaving soap world and there will obviously be some misses along the way, either generally or for certain people who are still exploring the boundaries of their tastes and preferences. Its the nature of online shopping that we can't smell something before we buy it so we're going to wind up with some stuff we don't care for. Scent is so subjective but I don't think slick is and I can honestly say I haven't had a bad soap in years from a performance of the base point of view. Yes there are some that are slicker than others, for example the vegan Oleo soaps aren't where they need to be in my opinion but the duck fat bases are amazing. That might be why Oleo is switching over to all duck fat soap. If you like Oleo's vegan base or just want to try it, Top of the Chain is discounting all Oleo vegan base soaps now.

This thread is turning out exactly like I'd hoped Marko . Basically, I wanted to determine if some of the heavier hitting soaps out there were worth trying and I believe we have determined at least in my use case, its worth a go. I've ordered many samples from several of the vendors i mentioned in the opening post. Additionally, we've all offered not only our likes but our dislikes in a constructive way about certain things and in the end, perhaps we will all come away from this thread with some value.

I appreciate the contribution that GroomingDept has added to this thread as well. Its neat to know that a vendor is keeping an eye on things and cares what the customers out there have to say. Further, he has offered support to differing opinions on his soap good and bad and has been very respectful of views. Good on you bud, I appreciate your information here. As I mentioned in another post, I love cologne scents, especially stout ones so your soaps are definitely on my to try list. Best of luck with your soapmaking this year.

I'm impressed with the discussion thats going on in this thread - its not restricted to people raving about their favourite soaps but rather, a more balanced likes and dislikes of various brands.  There are amazing things going on in the shaving soap world and there will obviously be some misses along the way, either generally or for certain people who are still exploring the boundaries of their tastes and preferences.  Its the nature of online shopping that we can't smell something before we buy it so we're going to wind up with some stuff we don't care for.  Scent is so subjective but I don't think slick is and I can honestly say I haven't had a bad soap in years from a performance of the base point of view.  Yes there are some that are slicker than others, for example the vegan Oleo soaps aren't where they need to be in my opinion but the duck fat bases are amazing.  That might be why Oleo is switching over to all duck fat soap.  If you like Oleo's vegan base or just want to try it, Top of the Chain is discounting all Oleo vegan base soaps now.  

Its funny, you don't hear much talk of super lathering anymore - If you've not heard of it, thats where you would boost the lather of a soap with the addition of some shaving cream, Nivea Sensitive does a good job and doesn't really interfere with scent.  I think its because there isn't really a need to now that soap bases are so slick.  I recently picked up a puck of Ogallala Bay Rum soap because it was one of the first shaving soaps I ever used.  I used it exclusively for a couple of years and was happy with it.  I love their scents (not sandalwood or vanilla though) and I thought that they must have upgraded their formula by now.  Nope, exact same soap, its performance pales compared to the latest stuff but still I love the smell.  I'm going to try super lathering it for old time's sake.

Its funny with soap, I thought I had what I wanted a few years ago but then a new artisan comes along and I try it and just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in again n   This year its Oleo, last year it was Grooming Dept and the year or so before that it was Wholly Kaw, Declaration Grooming, Tallow + Steel.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining but when someone asks about hot soaps, man, I could go on..... They're all hot!

Go for an Uber lather. Add some Nivea cream to the soap, then add about 10 drops of glycerin.

Thanks Nuki Man I've never tried the addition of glycerin. I have some lying around so I'm going to give this a go for sure. Who knows? It might elevate the Ogallala bay rum soap to usable status.

I would like to mention a few additional soaps that in my opinion could also rightfully belong in the same "HOT" category:

Talbot
Noble Otter
Ballenclaugh Soaps
West of Olympia

Go for an Uber lather.  Add some Nivea cream to the soap, then add about 10 drops of glycerin.

LOL! Uber lather! Yup, the glycerin is a must!!

Marko you aren't kidding, I haven't heard of anyone making a supper lather in a long time either. But I still have my bottle of glycerin in my stash, and entertain the idea now and again... but like you say, why?! I guess because some Cella, Acca Kappa's 1869, and some glycerin would blend pretty well! Oh yeah lol!!

Anyway, I always thought a super lather was a mix of soap, cream and then some fun with glycerin! That's how I made mine?



As for the Wholly Kaw samples - that's the route I went as well. At first I really wasn't all that impressed. It took me a while to figure out how to lather it up. Which I have to admit was a bit embarrassing. But beside that, I like what someone else said, open them and let em breath for a bit before sniffing them. After some use, the scents I really had no time for turned out to be great.

I'll be ordering a tub eventually. I have to admit I am more excited about the balm.