Razorock soaps?

Very true. I didn't know any better and started out with a Muhle R89, Proraso Red Cream, an Omega Boar and Gillette Platinums. I got lucky!

Very true.   I didn't know any better and started out with a Muhle R89, Proraso Red Cream, an Omega Boar and Gillette Platinums.   I got lucky!

Crappy Amazon badger brush, EJ DE89, TOBS Sandalwood, Derby blades and some Pinaud Clubman for me.

This was the first major artisan/brand that I really splurged on and used very dedicated for awhile. I still enjoy their soaps, but my den has thinned out of RazoRock.

It is funny - I remember all of the hype when XXX was rereleased and similar soaps that would sell out so quickly. Today, there just doesn't seem to be that same excitement. Anyone wonder why? Is it there are better options available? Many more options to choose from?

This was the first major artisan/brand that I really splurged on and used very dedicated for awhile. I still enjoy their soaps, but my den has thinned out of RazoRock.

It is funny - I remember all of the hype when XXX was rereleased and similar soaps that would sell out so quickly. Today, there just doesn't seem to be that same excitement. Anyone wonder why? Is it there are better options available? Many more options to choose from?

Exactly. When I ventured back into this several years ago there weren't NEAR as many soaps to choose from like there is now. I still have a few that I use every so often, and I still think they are great for folks on a budget. They aren't the best soaps out there right now, but they sure as hell aren't the worst either.

This was the first major artisan/brand that I really splurged on and used very dedicated for awhile. I still enjoy their soaps, but my den has thinned out of RazoRock.

It is funny - I remember all of the hype when XXX was rereleased and similar soaps that would sell out so quickly. Today, there just doesn't seem to be that same excitement. Anyone wonder why? Is it there are better options available? Many more options to choose from?

This was the first major artisan/brand that I really splurged on and used very dedicated for awhile. I still enjoy their soaps, but my den has thinned out of RazoRock.

It is funny - I remember all of the hype when XXX was rereleased and similar soaps that would sell out so quickly. Today, there just doesn't seem to be that same excitement. Anyone wonder why? Is it there are better options available? Many more options to choose from?

Exactly.  When I ventured back into this several years ago there weren't NEAR as many soaps to choose from like there is now.  I still have a few that I use every so often, and I still think they are great for folks on a budget.  They aren't the best soaps out there right now, but they sure as hell aren't the worst either.

It's nice to read conversations between you two, Dan's.

Totally agree with EF, it's not the best but it's definitely not the worst. There is just too much soaps out there right now, really good ones to booth.

I'd say the prices of some RR soaps are still very attractive and perfect for those starting out.

This was the first major artisan/brand that I really splurged on and used very dedicated for awhile. I still enjoy their soaps, but my den has thinned out of RazoRock.

It is funny - I remember all of the hype when XXX was rereleased and similar soaps that would sell out so quickly. Today, there just doesn't seem to be that same excitement. Anyone wonder why? Is it there are better options available? Many more options to choose from?

This was the first major artisan/brand that I really splurged on and used very dedicated for awhile. I still enjoy their soaps, but my den has thinned out of RazoRock.

It is funny - I remember all of the hype when XXX was rereleased and similar soaps that would sell out so quickly. Today, there just doesn't seem to be that same excitement. Anyone wonder why? Is it there are better options available? Many more options to choose from?

Exactly.  When I ventured back into this several years ago there weren't NEAR as many soaps to choose from like there is now.  I still have a few that I use every so often, and I still think they are great for folks on a budget.  They aren't the best soaps out there right now, but they sure as hell aren't the worst either.

It's nice to read conversations between you two, Dan's.

Totally agree with EF, it's not the best but it's definitely not the worst. There is just too much soaps out there right now, really good ones to booth.

I'd say the prices of some RR soaps are still very attractive and perfect for those starting out.

I did wonder about that too and then I took a peek at my soap stockpile and noticed sooo many great soaps, I really don't wonder now. The field has opened up so wide that some of the earlier vendours and soap makers got swallowed up in the void. Razorock has some great soaps and some duds, but not really that different than many other soap makers. It's also interesting how some soap makers have managed the need for change. Some flip over to seasonal runs with their less than popular scents so you can still get it if you want it (soap Commander comes to mind) and B&M does the very odd run here and there. (Roam never seems to die the death it deserves....).

Second, I absolutely hate the "best bang for the buck." I buy a soap because it is good for me regardless of the price. I have but one face and I happen to like it. This is not to say, money is no object, but there are many low priced soaps that are totally crap, and some extremely high priced soap that meet that crap level.

Last and most important scent strength and performance. As it relates to RR, it's been hit or miss. Rather than talk about the misses, let's talk about the winners.

Mudderfocker
Tuscan oud
Zippy
stallion

Strangely enough I don't have any of those in my stockpile right now, must go to IB site right now..

When I started this a couple years ago, RR soaps and the Plissoft brushes were touted as the easiest and least expensive way to learn the art of building lather. The soap performs, the scents are intriguing, and it is exceptionally easy to make good lather, all of which makes it a great place for new shavers to start.

Arko and Cella are good but the scents can be polarizing. Proraso is great but finding the tubs of soap can be challenging and using a tube of cream does not help someone learn to load a brush...

With that said, I still have a few RR and Italian Barber soaps in rotation, but they don't get near the love my other soaps get. They are great introductions and cheap enough that nobody has to waste money learning, but there are many offerings out there that simply perform exponentially better without an exponentially higher price tag.

As for recommendations...these days I think any new shaver would be well advised to start at Stirling. Performance is better than RR by a long shot in my opinion, and the prices are not grossly higher...


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This was the first major artisan/brand that I really splurged on and used very dedicated for awhile. I still enjoy their soaps, but my den has thinned out of RazoRock.

It is funny - I remember all of the hype when XXX was rereleased and similar soaps that would sell out so quickly. Today, there just doesn't seem to be that same excitement. Anyone wonder why? Is it there are better options available? Many more options to choose from?

Exactly.  When I ventured back into this several years ago there weren't NEAR as many soaps to choose from like there is now.  I still have a few that I use every so often, and I still think they are great for folks on a budget.  They aren't the best soaps out there right now, but they sure as hell aren't the worst either.

It's nice to read conversations between you two, Dan's.

Totally agree with EF, it's not the best but it's definitely not the worst. There is just too much soaps out there right now, really good ones to booth.

I'd say the prices of some RR soaps are still very attractive and perfect for those starting out.

I did wonder about that too and then I took a peek at my soap stockpile and noticed sooo many great soaps, I really don't wonder now.  The field has opened up so wide that some of the earlier vendours and soap makers got swallowed up in the void.  Razorock has some great soaps and some duds, but not really that different than many other soap makers.  It's also interesting how some soap makers have managed the need for change.  Some flip over to seasonal runs with their less than popular scents so you can still get it if you want it (soap Commander comes to mind) and B&M does the very odd run here and there. (Roam never seems to die the death it deserves....).  

Second, I absolutely hate the "best bang for the buck."  I buy a soap because it is good for me regardless of the price.  I have but one face and I happen to like it.  This is not to say, money is no object, but there are many low priced soaps that are totally crap, and some extremely high priced soap that meet that crap level.

Last and most important scent strength and performance.  As it relates to RR, it's been hit or miss.  Rather than talk about the misses, let's talk about the winners.

Mudderfocker
Tuscan oud
Zippy
stallion

Strangely enough I don't have any of those in my stockpile right now, must go to IB site right now..

When I started this a couple years ago, RR soaps and the Plissoft brushes were touted as the easiest and least expensive way to learn the art of building lather. The soap performs, the scents are intriguing, and it is exceptionally easy to make good lather, all of which makes it a great place for new shavers to start.

Arko and Cella are good but the scents can be polarizing. Proraso is great but finding the tubs of soap can be challenging and using a tube of cream does not help someone learn to load a brush...

With that said, I still have a few RR and Italian Barber soaps in rotation, but they don't get near the love my other soaps get. They are great introductions and cheap enough that nobody has to waste money learning, but there are many offerings out there that simply perform exponentially better without an exponentially higher price tag.

As for recommendations...these days I think any new shaver would be well advised to start at Stirling. Performance is better than RR by a long shot in my opinion, and the prices are not grossly higher...


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I agree with both sentiments and very well said. RR has been on the lower end when it comes to price points and artisanal made soaps. I do still have a couple of tubs that I use on occasion, especially the Tuscan Oud with it's rich and intoxicatingly good scent with better than average performance as well as Mudder Focker. But, that being said I acquired their The Dead Sea Soap and I must say it is without a doubt one of their better soap creations that I have tried. Unique scent that is either love/hate (I love it) and excellent performance. There might be some that will question how can a soap with salt create a good lather? Don't know, but this one does. And Cannabis? Yup, in there too. Fear not, you won't fail any random drug tests for using it and just do some research on it. You'd need to do a whole lot more than just lathering it to test positive. Plus, it's THC that is being looked for in those tests. Smoke it or eat it yes, but not by shaving with it.

Anyhow, it is a very good performer with much better than average slickness, glide and cushion.  And my face has felt wonderfully conditioned post shave after just a couple of uses. I think any RR users who have left the fold and moved on to better performers, as I have, will be pleasantly surprised by this offering. It really is great performer imo. Oh, and the A/S Splash is the perfect finish. They pair perfectly......

Well now I have to try The Dead Sea. I'm pro-cannabis, both medicinal and recreational use. It's a fantastic skin and hair nourished as well.

I want to get one of the aluminum Hawk razors as well, so it looks like a visit to Italian Barber is in my near future...


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No argument from me concerning Cannabis use whether Medicinal or Recreational. Honestly though, it's a very well made product.