Unknown Artisan Soapers

If all I wanted was a shave soap for my daily shave I would round up enough AOS tallow to last me to the end of my days.  But since it's a hobby I like to sample shaving pucks from artisans.  I'm not looking for the do-all, end-all soap because our community has already identified enough great Soapers that get it done! By the way, I support and thank them with my dollars.  That said, it's fun to look around and see what/who is new on the horizon.  Sadly, I find most Soapers who are selling soaps specifically for shaving that post ingredient lists that would not indicate a chance at a good lather.  When I started, it seemed like artisan Soapers listed olive oil high and saponified with sodium hydroxide.  Then throw in a handful of clay, and presto, shave soap.  Seems they have learned that olive doesn't work too well and I see More and more offering coconut oil as the leading oil in the soap but most still use sodium hydroxide to saponify.  I am ever so grateful for our tried and true artisans (who if I start to mention I will forget some) but I swear i must be related to Columbus given my desire to discover uncharted soaps.  What has been your experience and have you found any hidden gems?

I bought a shave soap from a local artisan over Memorial Day weekend. Just as I found the 1 local artisan turning brushes, I also found the 1 local artisan making shave soap.

It was a glycerin based soap with a great lavender/sandalwood scent, but alas, the performance was subpar. Even so far as calling it unusable as a shave soap. No slickness at all, and while it lathered up brilliantly, it actually seemed to create stickiness rather than slickness. Adding water, as I normally do to boost slickness, I discovered that the soap will very quickly break down into a runny, bubbly mess that is utterly worthless as a shave soap.

I LOVE the scent, though, so it resides in the shower as a beard and pre-wash soap...

I'm really happy to be finding local(ish) artisans making shaving products, but the lady was not responsive to criticism when I approached. I had no interest in asking for a refund because, as I said, the scent is wonderful and I have no trouble using it for my beard wash. However, she immediately became defensive claiming that I simply didn't know how it was supposed to be sued, and that if I had used a proper shave brush, it would have been great, blablabla..

I tried to tell her that I just wanted to offer some insight from someone that uses a brush and soap everyday, she didn't want to hear it, so...her loss as far as I'm concerned...She could have learned and improved...

I bought a shave soap from a local artisan over Memorial Day weekend. Just as I found the 1 local artisan turning brushes, I also found the 1 local artisan making shave soap.

It was a glycerin based soap with a great lavender/sandalwood scent, but alas, the performance was subpar. Even so far as calling it unusable as a shave soap. No slickness at all, and while it lathered up brilliantly, it actually seemed to create stickiness rather than slickness. Adding water, as I normally do to boost slickness, I discovered that the soap will very quickly break down into a runny, bubbly mess that is utterly worthless as a shave soap.

I LOVE the scent, though, so it resides in the shower as a beard and pre-wash soap...

I'm really happy to be finding local(ish) artisans making shaving products, but the lady was not responsive to criticism when I approached. I had no interest in asking for a refund because, as I said, the scent is wonderful and I have no trouble using it for my beard wash. However, she immediately became defensive claiming that I simply didn't know how it was supposed to be sued, and that if I had used a proper shave brush, it would have been great, blablabla..

I tried to tell her that I just wanted to offer some insight from someone that uses a brush and soap everyday, she didn't want to hear it, so...her loss as far as I'm concerned...She could have learned and improved...

Chris, was that the soap you used in your video?

Chris, was that the soap you used in your video?

No it isn't. I did not make a video or mention of this soap earlier simply because it did not perform for me at all. The artisan is local, and "no name", so I saw no need to drag her over the coals on the internet. I still won;t mention the name, as I know she does not sell online, and nothing positive can be accomplished from it. Some things are best left alone...

She makes good lotions and hand soaps, just bad shave soap...

Same experience Chris! However I did find a Soapers in Pennsylvania who has wonderful scents, slick lather, that is unstable. (Wife likes it on her legs). Anyhow, the Soaper said she wanted to work on finding a recipe that worked and understood she was talking to a guy that might know a thing or two about lather. Chris, I giggled when you reported she didn't think you knew lathering. I wonder how many acres you have shaved over your noggin!

Same experience Chris!  However I did find a Soapers in Pennsylvania who has wonderful scents, slick lather, that is unstable.  (Wife likes it on her legs). Anyhow, the Soaper said she wanted to work on finding a recipe that worked and understood she was talking to a guy that might know a thing or two about lather.  Chris, I giggled when you reported she didn't think you knew lathering.  I wonder how many acres you have shaved over your noggin!

Since November 2015. Roughly 225 shaves, including several twice-a-day shaves, 2-3 passes each shave, for an approximate 650-675 passes.

Not a lot of experience, but I get decent lather these days... I wouldn't have even an inkling of how to improve the slickness of a soap, but I know when a soap is not creating slickness...

 I find most Soapers who are selling soaps specifically for shaving that post ingredient lists that would not indicate a chance at a good lather.  When I started, it seemed like artisan Soapers listed olive oil high and saponified with sodium hydroxide.  

I thought CRSW Olivia was getting good reviews?

As to new soaps, its a never ending thing. I believe the graph looks like what I put up in this post http://damnfineshave.com/thread-shaving-...2#pid61432

To that end, if something truly great pops up, the community will jump all over it and you will know it. If an obscure seller was spinning golden products, then they would not be obscure

Regarding lathers, sometimes I think some copy the same formula. The formula is cloned (which sort of makes sense) to give the impression of very easy lathering, but the lather is airy, thin, drying, lacking excellences in primary attributes that are important. They don't seem to have the face feel of the luxury creams. Of course some of those creams have been around for 100 or more years. Experience matters. So I can't  expect the newbies to get it right out of the gate.

OTH, life is short. I got soaps to smell, creams to try, lathers to lather. And gambling on unknown products means one day of my life less.

If obscure products were excellent, I believe you would know it at the speed of the Internet - overnight, the cream would float to the top  Pun intended

I bought a shave soap from a local artisan over Memorial Day weekend. Just as I found the 1 local artisan turning brushes, I also found the 1 local artisan making shave soap.

It was a glycerin based soap with a great lavender/sandalwood scent, but alas, the performance was subpar. Even so far as calling it unusable as a shave soap. No slickness at all, and while it lathered up brilliantly, it actually seemed to create stickiness rather than slickness. Adding water, as I normally do to boost slickness, I discovered that the soap will very quickly break down into a runny, bubbly mess that is utterly worthless as a shave soap.

I LOVE the scent, though, so it resides in the shower as a beard and pre-wash soap...

I'm really happy to be finding local(ish) artisans making shaving products, but the lady was not responsive to criticism when I approached. I had no interest in asking for a refund because, as I said, the scent is wonderful and I have no trouble using it for my beard wash. However, she immediately became defensive claiming that I simply didn't know how it was supposed to be sued, and that if I had used a proper shave brush, it would have been great, blablabla..

I tried to tell her that I just wanted to offer some insight from someone that uses a brush and soap everyday, she didn't want to hear it, so...her loss as far as I'm concerned...She could have learned and improved...

you can only do so much to help someone that doesn't want any help. her loss!

Same experience Chris! However I did find a Soapers in Pennsylvania who has wonderful scents, slick lather, that is unstable. (Wife likes it on her legs). Anyhow, the Soaper said she wanted to work on finding a recipe that worked and understood she was talking to a guy that might know a thing or two about lather. Chris, I giggled when you reported she didn't think you knew lathering. I wonder how many acres you have shaved over your noggin!

where in Pennsylvania?

I have tried much too many soaps in my five years of being in this hobby and I have settled on a few very good artisan ones that suit me, specifically, one in particular.

Good luck on your adventures.

 What has been your experience and have you found any hidden gems?

Here's a hidden gem for ya: Check out The Sudsy Soapery http://www.sudsysoapery.com/#!shop-shavi...cts-/c1aoo

I believe they're fairly new to the wet shaving game. They have some interesting scents (essential oils only) and the performance is excellent. The soap in the tin is very soft at first, but it hardens as it dries from air exposure. This stuff performs well above its price point. I have the Lavender & Peppermint and the Twice Mint.