What's the deal on "artisan" Shaving Creams?

PannaCrema, Nuavia Blu

Are you sure the other two meet the definition of "artisan"? Or are they shartisans? lol  

Like most everything in this industry, there are fads. At one time, Al's seemed highly regarded by people like Mantic and Leisure Guy. I've tried Al's. Its shaving cream and it's reputation for "exploding" in lather is deserved. I'm not keen on the scents but its latherability is up there with the 3Ts.  I've also tried Stone Cottage and can say it is a cream and has got reasonable reviews elsewhere on the internet.

Do they meet the definition of artisan. I believe from the Sharpologist interview Al is a chemist started in 2010. You can read his story on his website.  Stone cottage is a small place in NJ opened in 2003, store in 2006. I think they made regular soap and then moved on to shaving cream. He's active on the other forum and has explained what it takes to make shaving cream vs shaving soap. Just as their are vendors here, he is there.

Joking aside (although nice one, wyze0ne), I would think that both Al’s and Stone Cottage can be regarded as artisans. Nancy Boy, another well-known maker of quality shaving cream, may not be “artisan status,” but I guess it all depends on definition. These three are the ones that come to mind when discussing “modern day” shaving cream makers. I wonder if there are others out there that WSP and I are missing?

EDIT: Went back to skim earlier comments on this thread, and at least Ginger’s Garden came up as what could be regarded an artisan shaving cream maker.

I think people prefer soaps because they perceive the cream as if they're just paying for the water, and that is partially true.

Or perhaps because they find a tube of cream easier to store than a cake of soap in a mug or bowl. The cream can be stored in a medicine cabinet or small drawer under the sink.

Do they meet the definition of artisan. I believe from the Sharpologist interview Al is a chemist started in 2010. You can read his story on his website. Stone cottage is a small place in NJ opened in 2003, store in 2006. I think they made regular soap and then moved on to shaving cream.

The Art of Shaving did the same thing in the mid to late 1990s. Many people do not realize it, but AoS started out as bona fide, husband and wife artisan operation. Like any other artisans, the products they produced and sold depended on marketplace demand and their ability to make the products.

As for whether a business is "artisan" or not, does it really matter? I would not buy from a company large or small that mistreated its employees or was otherwise unethical. Other than that, it is the soap or cream quality and value for the money that counts.

I think people prefer soaps because they perceive the cream as if they're just paying for the water, and that is partially true.

Or perhaps because they find a tube of cream easier to store than a cake of soap in a mug or bowl.  The cream can be stored in a medicine cabinet or small drawer under the sink.

Do they meet the definition of artisan. I believe from the Sharpologist interview Al is a chemist started in 2010. You can read his story on his website.  Stone cottage is a small place in NJ opened in 2003, store in 2006. I think they made regular soap and then moved on to shaving cream.

The Art of Shaving did the same thing in the mid to late 1990s.  Many people do not realize it, but AoS started out as bona fide, husband and wife artisan operation.  Like any other artisans, the products they produced and sold depended on marketplace demand and their ability to make the products.

As for whether a business is "artisan" or not, does it really matter?  I would not buy from a company large or small that mistreated its employees or was otherwise unethical.  Other than that, it is the soap or cream quality and value for the money that counts.

I did not know that about AoS. That's a cool back story but it looks like they don't make anything now. I bought a new AoS puck recently and it says it's made by Proctor & Gamble. I suppose AoS could dictate the ingredients but I doubt that is the case based on the formula. I'd have to compare it but it looks very similar to some other high end mass produced products. As long as it performs well

I did not know that about AoS. That's a cool back story but it looks like they don't make anything now. I bought a new AoS puck recently and it says it's made by

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/st...ily36.html

http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/22/magazine...ving.biz2/

Founded in 96 http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks...d=36593263

I did not know that about AoS. That's a cool back story but it looks like they don't make anything now. I bought a new AoS puck recently and it says it's made by  

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/st...ily36.html

http://money.cnn.com/2006/06/22/magazine...ving.biz2/

Founded in 96  http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks...d=36593263

Interesting. I never looked into them, just liked the smell of their sandalwood shave soap. I had a travel kit when I first started and gave it all away. Hopefully the soap performs well, which based on the larther I built in the store I suspect it will.

Curiosity about how US "artisans" are viewed in the EU.  I sometimes read the summaries on Sharpologist. Reading summaries tells on whats hot and what's not. This one caught my eye. The gist was "drama" of which I don't care. Meh. but this one post jumped off the page about our "artisan" soap. Is this just one person's opinion or is it a majority from those in the EU??????  Sounds bitter to me or just snitty?.

"most American "artisan' soap, is well just soap with a fancy label. .... put a picture of a pretty tree and waterfall on the package, would it shave any better? The "idea" of the American soap is essentially, the pretty picture makes it shave better. A lot of fellas cant tell the difference between the 20 dollar tub of "American artisan soap" and an unlabeled tub of proraso. "

Is this how we are viewed?

Curiosity about how US "artisans" are viewed in the EU.  I sometimes read the summaries on Sharpologist. Reading summaries tells on whats hot and what's not. This one caught my eye. The gist was "drama" of which I don't care. Meh. but this one post jumped off the page about our "artisan" soap. Is this just one person's opinion or is it a majority from those in the EU??????  Sounds bitter to me or just snitty?.

"most American "artisan' soap, is well just soap with a fancy label. .... put a picture of a pretty tree and waterfall on the package, would it shave any better? The "idea" of the American soap is essentially, the pretty picture makes it shave better. A lot of fellas cant tell the difference between the 20 dollar tub of "American artisan soap" and an unlabeled tub of proraso. "

Is this how we are viewed?

I spend a pretty fair amount of time on a UK forum, and would say generally no. I have really only (except for the normal negativity or trolls) experienced positive responses and questions. I think most overseas shavers would love our products as much as we do if shipping wan't cost prohibitive. Mostly I experience interest in what products we use, and vice versa. It is also interesting to see what vintage stuff is readily available to them, vs. what is for us. I was surprised to learn some of the differences.

That post was certainly over the top. I would agree though on the Phoenix soaps. Silly labels and I found them to be really mediocre at best. From products to packaging it reminds me of an infomercial.

There are some good small soap makers in the US. Part of the problem is when some US soap makers raise their prices a bit it kills those oversees on shipping charges. Sometimes double what a tin would cost by itself.

I don't see how that post would apply to a Mike's Natural for example, still my all time favorite soap. Unfortunately it's just too expensive for the gents to justify a couple tins overseas.

That post was certainly over the top. I would agree though on the Phoenix soaps. Silly labels and I found them to be really mediocre at best. From products to packaging it reminds me of an infomercial.

There are some good small soap makers in the US. Part of the problem is when some US soap makers raise their prices a bit it kills those oversees on shipping charges. Sometimes double what a tin would cost by itself.

I don't see how that post would apply to a Mike's Natural for example, still my all time favorite soap. Unfortunately it's just too expensive for the gents to justify a couple tins overseas.

I understand the custom duties/tax thing. And I don't care one wit about the drama.

Its the concept that we, us Americans and our artisan industry being somehow inferior I am questioning.

Yeah, over the top.