Stinkers

Scent Department-Tiki Go West, something in it just throws me off, great performance though.

Performance(sort of)-The Holy Black artisan line - barley get through 2 passes due to crappy dissipating lather tried a couple of different badger brushes....until I tried a synthetic brush, bam great lather for 3 passes worked like a dream.

Tiki Go West? Could it be that it smells like you buried your face in a leather tannery? I'm in the camp that likes scent forward but Tiki Go West was just way too much leather. I found it unusable.

Tiki Go West?  Could it be that it smells like you buried your face in a leather tannery?  I'm in the camp that likes scent forward but Tiki Go West was just way too much leather.  I found it unusable.

I had a similar experience with Ballenclaugh Shaving Soap’s Vanderpool when I first got it. The leather scent completely engulfed the entire home. I put the open jar outside for a time, and it helped bring the scent level down to a point where I’m now able to enjoy the soap without feeling like I’m being harassed by the leather jacket mafia.

I found that I'm too cheap to get rid of a soap that is underperforming or does not smell great, so I opt to mix in a little Nivea Sensitive shaving cream. The smell of the Nivea takes over and it will also boost performance.

I found that I'm too cheap to get rid of a soap that is underperforming or does not smell great, so I opt to mix in a little Nivea Sensitive shaving cream.  The smell of the Nivea takes over and it will also boost performance.

Personally, I always use them as a bath soaps.

I found that I'm too cheap to get rid of a soap that is underperforming or does not smell great, so I opt to mix in a little Nivea Sensitive shaving cream.  The smell of the Nivea takes over and it will also boost performance.

Personally, I always use them as a bath soaps.  

Good winter hand soaps, too--if I'm not careful, normal hand soaps make my skin crack.

Mystic waters? Now I'm triggered, lol. But on a more serious note, did you try the more recent formulation? I had some problems with getting good lather with the older version, but the new ones performs very well for me. Plenty of slickness and more stable lather.

I tried the earlier versions. Haven't tried them since. I will have to check them out again. Thanks for the heads up.

New version is much easier to lather, still not straight forward like other options in the Market. But, IMO, the effort is totally worth it.

I'd agree with this. The new formula is better, but I still have to load it more than B&M, CRSW, and Stirling. The post shave is probably the best out there from what I've used.

I'd agree with this. The new formula is better, but I still have to load it more than B&M, CRSW, and Stirling. The post shave is probably the best out there from what I've used.

+1. Mystic Water Soap really needs to be loaded like there is no tomorrow. If one remembers to follow that simple rule (which I still seem to forget, from time to time), then everything else usually turns out well.

I've used MW probably 20 times. Never had an issue lathering and it's a decent shave. I respect the commitment to natural ingredients.
However, I don't find it very comfortable during the blade stroke (actually shaving) and I have never found the post-shave feeling any better than anything else (that doesn't burn). Maybe it's just me though. Ymmv.
(Not calling it a stinker, btw, just adding two cents to the existing conversation. I do think it is overrated though.)

A couple samples I got recently from Stirling. This is only referring to scent though. Stirling soaps always perform well for me.

Gatlinburg - For some reason this scent reminds me of a bowling alley. Don't ask me how, but I don't care for it all that much.
Texas On Fire - Barbecued ribs and pencil shavings. 'Nuff said.

A couple samples I got recently from Stirling. This is only referring to scent though. Stirling soaps always perform well for me.

Gatlinburg - For some reason this scent reminds me of a bowling alley. Don't ask me how, but I don't care for it all that much.
Texas On Fire - Barbecued ribs and pencil shavings. 'Nuff said.

I have to agree with you. I've gotten maybe 10 or 12 samples from them and have yet to buy a whole puck. The performance is great, just haven't found a scent that does it for me yet. Oddly enough Ben Franklin is the closest so far to being bought as a full tub. Reminds me of an antique shop we went to on our Honeymoon in Maine.

They threw in a sample of Electric Sheep gratis on my recent order, and I'm torn on that one too. A lot of citronella in it to my nose, and I'm not the biggest fan of that scent. Probably going to still try it out since it's the only soap I've gotten that has mutton tallow in it.