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WEEKLY SHAVING SOAP REVIEW

NORTH FRENCH BROAD AVE WAGYU SHAVE SOAP

IMG-20250712-010320.jpg


First Look
- A vacant chair reminiscent of one used for resting or in a Barbershop a long time ago. There are elements of darkness, mystery, nostalgia, and comfort captured in the artwork of North French broad Ave Wagyu Shave Soap, the latest collaboration between First Line Shave Company And Black Mountain Shaving. This is a very unique shaving soap container cover and I do like it a lot.

Side note – A few years back, wet shaving enthusiast Michael Riley approached artisans to craft a limited edition shave soap to raise funds for the families of fellow first responders who had fallen in the line of duty. After much research and customer feedback , Michael decided to make his own products that would ensure the slickest of shaves and that’s when First Line Shave Company was born. A portion of the profits from each sale of an FLS product are donated to Backstoppers.org. As for Black mountain Shaving, brand owner Joe Katon has gained much popularity and love for his unique scent profiles inspired by music, nature, and personal experiences. His collaborations with other Artisans have been winners, especially those with Murphy & McNeil and the First Line Shave Company.

First Whiff – The Scent profile of North French Broad Ave Wagyu Shave Soap is meant to capture that ‘me’ time when we set all worries and chores aside to focus on the ritual of grooming through a relaxed shave. a complex warm, rich, woody barbershop scent. The fragrance is described as a warm,rich and woody barbershop fragrance with notes of Amber, Tonka Bean, Aldehydes, Cardamom, Lavender, Violet, Pear, Water notes, Ambergris, Black Pepper, Ambrette, Brandy, Leather, Honey, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Amyl Salicylate, Myrrh, Iso E Super, Cedar, & Balsam. At first whiff I pick up the Amber, Tonka bean, a hint of Cardamom and Lavender. The Violet, Pear and Black Pepper then play second fiddle to the Brandy, Leather and warm Honey notes. A second whiff and the Oakmoss, Myrrh and cedar take over with a subtle hint of patchouli, all resting on a gentle bed of balsam. A third whiff and it all comes together in one intense and addictive fragrance, this is a banger of a scent that is a very complex barbershop offering. Probably one of the finest that Joe has created to date.

First Lather – The soap with its Imperial Wagyu tallow base promises to deliver a rich and silky smooth lather so using my Semogue 1470 Boar brush and my GC & Classics SS Lather Bowl, I added a tea spoon of the product with two tablespoons of water and swirled the brush clockwise and anti-clockwise for 90 seconds. I then let the soap breathe for a minute before I added another two table spoons of water and worked the soap for a good two minutes with gentle yet fast brush swirling. The result was as promised a rich, luxurious and silky smooth lather. This soap is fairly thirsty but was very easy to work with. Through the bowl lathering process the woody notes seemed to shine over the floral ones but refrained from dominating them in any way.

IMG-20250712-001716.jpg
IMG-20250712-001909.jpg


First Performance – Excellent fragrance, superb lather and so, I was expecting a stellar performance from the soap, which it delivered. My first pass with the Rex Konsul on a six setting and a Feather blade was a breeze. Dropping the Konsul to a setting of four for the second pass was enough to finish with a smooth and comfortable BBS. The cushion, protection and residual slickness of this soap is top notch. My skin felt well nourished for a few hours after the shave and that’s when I went back to look at the ingredients - Stearic Acid, Wagyu Beef Tallow, Goat’s Milk, Aloe Vera Juice, Glycerin, Unrefined African Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Kokum Butter, Mango Butter, Apricot Oil, Jojoba Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cupuacu Butter, Unrefined Cocoa Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Honey, Kaolin Clay, Slippery Elm Bark, Tussah Silk, Sodium Lactate, Fragrance Oil, Vitamin E. While the vegan butters and the goats milk contribute to an excellent shaving product, it is the Wagyu tallow which remains the star. Wagyu tallow is a a superior fat known for its exceptional purity, rich nutrient profile, and silky texture, the fat is also high in omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids and an increased oleic acid profile which the makers promise will contribute to a soothing and nourishing effect on the skin, leaving it feeling supple, hydrated, and revitalized post shave. All those promises made, have been promises kept.

First Opinion – Every once in a while a shaving soap makes you stand up and notice how innovative it is in concept and creation, North French Broad Ave Wagyu shave soap is one of those. This is a soap that is stellar in its performance with a warm and unique fragrance, one that I would definitely reach for on those nights when I am in a reflective mood or just when I need that time all to myself. It offers a unique shaving experience which can't be missed. Top tier stuff from Michael Riley and Joe Katon. My advice, grab it when you can.

Cover Art Work – 8 / 10

Lather Quality – 9 / 10

Fragrance – 8 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 10 / 10

Slickness – 10 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 9 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 64 / 70

Availabilityhttps://www.firstlineshave.com/product-page/north-french-broad-ave
 
NORTH FRENCH BROAD AVE WAGYU SHAVE SOAP

IMG-20250712-010320.jpg


First Look
- A vacant chair reminiscent of one used for resting or in a Barbershop a long time ago. There are elements of darkness, mystery, nostalgia, and comfort captured in the artwork of North French broad Ave Wagyu Shave Soap, the latest collaboration between First Line Shave Company And Black Mountain Shaving. This is a very unique shaving soap container cover and I do like it a lot.

Side note – A few years back, wet shaving enthusiast Michael Riley approached artisans to craft a limited edition shave soap to raise funds for the families of fellow first responders who had fallen in the line of duty. After much research and customer feedback , Michael decided to make his own products that would ensure the slickest of shaves and that’s when First Line Shave Company was born. A portion of the profits from each sale of an FLS product are donated to Backstoppers.org. As for Black mountain Shaving, brand owner Joe Katon has gained much popularity and love for his unique scent profiles inspired by music, nature, and personal experiences. His collaborations with other Artisans have been winners, especially those with Murphy & McNeil and the First Line Shave Company.

First Whiff – The Scent profile of North French Broad Ave Wagyu Shave Soap is meant to capture that ‘me’ time when we set all worries and chores aside to focus on the ritual of grooming through a relaxed shave. a complex warm, rich, woody barbershop scent. The fragrance is described as a warm,rich and woody barbershop fragrance with notes of Amber, Tonka Bean, Aldehydes, Cardamom, Lavender, Violet, Pear, Water notes, Ambergris, Black Pepper, Ambrette, Brandy, Leather, Honey, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Amyl Salicylate, Myrrh, Iso E Super, Cedar, & Balsam. At first whiff I pick up the Amber, Tonka bean, a hint of Cardamom and Lavender. The Violet, Pear and Black Pepper then play second fiddle to the Brandy, Leather and warm Honey notes. A second whiff and the Oakmoss, Myrrh and cedar take over with a subtle hint of patchouli, all resting on a gentle bed of balsam. A third whiff and it all comes together in one intense and addictive fragrance, this is a banger of a scent that is a very complex barbershop offering. Probably one of the finest that Joe has created to date.

First Lather – The soap with its Imperial Wagyu tallow base promises to deliver a rich and silky smooth lather so using my Semogue 1470 Boar brush and my GC & Classics SS Lather Bowl, I added a tea spoon of the product with two tablespoons of water and swirled the brush clockwise and anti-clockwise for 90 seconds. I then let the soap breathe for a minute before I added another two table spoons of water and worked the soap for a good two minutes with gentle yet fast brush swirling. The result was as promised a rich, luxurious and silky smooth lather. This soap is fairly thirsty but was very easy to work with. Through the bowl lathering process the woody notes seemed to shine over the floral ones but refrained from dominating them in any way.

IMG-20250712-001716.jpg
IMG-20250712-001909.jpg


First Performance – Excellent fragrance, superb lather and so, I was expecting a stellar performance from the soap, which it delivered. My first pass with the Rex Konsul on a six setting and a Feather blade was a breeze. Dropping the Konsul to a setting of four for the second pass was enough to finish with a smooth and comfortable BBS. The cushion, protection and residual slickness of this soap is top notch. My skin felt well nourished for a few hours after the shave and that’s when I went back to look at the ingredients - Stearic Acid, Wagyu Beef Tallow, Goat’s Milk, Aloe Vera Juice, Glycerin, Unrefined African Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Kokum Butter, Mango Butter, Apricot Oil, Jojoba Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cupuacu Butter, Unrefined Cocoa Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Honey, Kaolin Clay, Slippery Elm Bark, Tussah Silk, Sodium Lactate, Fragrance Oil, Vitamin E. While the vegan butters and the goats milk contribute to an excellent shaving product, it is the Wagyu tallow which remains the star. Wagyu tallow is a a superior fat known for its exceptional purity, rich nutrient profile, and silky texture, the fat is also high in omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids and an increased oleic acid profile which the makers promise will contribute to a soothing and nourishing effect on the skin, leaving it feeling supple, hydrated, and revitalized post shave. All those promises made, have been promises kept.

First Opinion – Every once in a while a shaving soap makes you stand up and notice how innovative it is in concept and creation, North French Broad Ave Wagyu shave soap is one of those. This is a soap that is stellar in its performance with a warm and unique fragrance, one that I would definitely reach for on those nights when I am in a reflective mood or just when I need that time all to myself. It offers a unique shaving experience which can't be missed. Top tier stuff from Michael Riley and Joe Katon. My advice, grab it when you can.

Cover Art Work – 8 / 10

Lather Quality – 9 / 10

Fragrance – 8 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 10 / 10

Slickness – 10 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 9 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 64 / 70

Availabilityhttps://www.firstlineshave.com/product-page/north-french-broad-ave
Marvellous review mate
That’s just about your highest score on your rating system. Look forward to the next review.
Cheers
 
Like @Vittoria I look at your score out of 70 and keep a tally of your top 3 scores, albeit I minus the cover and -/- by 6 as it’s the product I’m after, the covers a “nicety”
👍 for the reviews.
Cheers Les. Thanks for the kind words mate. I was giving the cover artwork a thought, whether to keep it or not but some covers are just a standout and the Artisans do put in a lot of effort into creating one that is specific for the content inside.
 
NORTH FRENCH BROAD AVE WAGYU SHAVE SOAP

IMG-20250712-010320.jpg


First Look
- A vacant chair reminiscent of one used for resting or in a Barbershop a long time ago. There are elements of darkness, mystery, nostalgia, and comfort captured in the artwork of North French broad Ave Wagyu Shave Soap, the latest collaboration between First Line Shave Company And Black Mountain Shaving. This is a very unique shaving soap container cover and I do like it a lot.

Side note – A few years back, wet shaving enthusiast Michael Riley approached artisans to craft a limited edition shave soap to raise funds for the families of fellow first responders who had fallen in the line of duty. After much research and customer feedback , Michael decided to make his own products that would ensure the slickest of shaves and that’s when First Line Shave Company was born. A portion of the profits from each sale of an FLS product are donated to Backstoppers.org. As for Black mountain Shaving, brand owner Joe Katon has gained much popularity and love for his unique scent profiles inspired by music, nature, and personal experiences. His collaborations with other Artisans have been winners, especially those with Murphy & McNeil and the First Line Shave Company.

First Whiff – The Scent profile of North French Broad Ave Wagyu Shave Soap is meant to capture that ‘me’ time when we set all worries and chores aside to focus on the ritual of grooming through a relaxed shave. a complex warm, rich, woody barbershop scent. The fragrance is described as a warm,rich and woody barbershop fragrance with notes of Amber, Tonka Bean, Aldehydes, Cardamom, Lavender, Violet, Pear, Water notes, Ambergris, Black Pepper, Ambrette, Brandy, Leather, Honey, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Amyl Salicylate, Myrrh, Iso E Super, Cedar, & Balsam. At first whiff I pick up the Amber, Tonka bean, a hint of Cardamom and Lavender. The Violet, Pear and Black Pepper then play second fiddle to the Brandy, Leather and warm Honey notes. A second whiff and the Oakmoss, Myrrh and cedar take over with a subtle hint of patchouli, all resting on a gentle bed of balsam. A third whiff and it all comes together in one intense and addictive fragrance, this is a banger of a scent that is a very complex barbershop offering. Probably one of the finest that Joe has created to date.

First Lather – The soap with its Imperial Wagyu tallow base promises to deliver a rich and silky smooth lather so using my Semogue 1470 Boar brush and my GC & Classics SS Lather Bowl, I added a tea spoon of the product with two tablespoons of water and swirled the brush clockwise and anti-clockwise for 90 seconds. I then let the soap breathe for a minute before I added another two table spoons of water and worked the soap for a good two minutes with gentle yet fast brush swirling. The result was as promised a rich, luxurious and silky smooth lather. This soap is fairly thirsty but was very easy to work with. Through the bowl lathering process the woody notes seemed to shine over the floral ones but refrained from dominating them in any way.

IMG-20250712-001716.jpg
IMG-20250712-001909.jpg


First Performance – Excellent fragrance, superb lather and so, I was expecting a stellar performance from the soap, which it delivered. My first pass with the Rex Konsul on a six setting and a Feather blade was a breeze. Dropping the Konsul to a setting of four for the second pass was enough to finish with a smooth and comfortable BBS. The cushion, protection and residual slickness of this soap is top notch. My skin felt well nourished for a few hours after the shave and that’s when I went back to look at the ingredients - Stearic Acid, Wagyu Beef Tallow, Goat’s Milk, Aloe Vera Juice, Glycerin, Unrefined African Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Kokum Butter, Mango Butter, Apricot Oil, Jojoba Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cupuacu Butter, Unrefined Cocoa Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Honey, Kaolin Clay, Slippery Elm Bark, Tussah Silk, Sodium Lactate, Fragrance Oil, Vitamin E. While the vegan butters and the goats milk contribute to an excellent shaving product, it is the Wagyu tallow which remains the star. Wagyu tallow is a a superior fat known for its exceptional purity, rich nutrient profile, and silky texture, the fat is also high in omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids and an increased oleic acid profile which the makers promise will contribute to a soothing and nourishing effect on the skin, leaving it feeling supple, hydrated, and revitalized post shave. All those promises made, have been promises kept.

First Opinion – Every once in a while a shaving soap makes you stand up and notice how innovative it is in concept and creation, North French Broad Ave Wagyu shave soap is one of those. This is a soap that is stellar in its performance with a warm and unique fragrance, one that I would definitely reach for on those nights when I am in a reflective mood or just when I need that time all to myself. It offers a unique shaving experience which can't be missed. Top tier stuff from Michael Riley and Joe Katon. My advice, grab it when you can.

Cover Art Work – 8 / 10

Lather Quality – 9 / 10

Fragrance – 8 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 10 / 10

Slickness – 10 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 9 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 64 / 70

Availabilityhttps://www.firstlineshave.com/product-page/north-french-broad-ave
This sounds pretty bloody good.
 
LODRINO – SPRING WATER SHAVING SOAP

IMG-20250727-014818.jpg


First Look
- The word ‘water’ sandwiched between the letters ‘SPR’ and ‘ING’ immersed in a splash of water. The cover artwork of the Lodrino Spring Shaving soap container is pure genius, no abstract colors or strange images but just the soap’s title set in shades of blue. The contents of the tub are conveyed in a very slick manner and I do like it a lot.

Side note – Six years ago, Francesco an Italian expat living in Spain who had transitioned from cartridge razors and shaving foam to straight razors and artisan soaps , learned the craft of soap making from a fellow wet shaving expert. Using his nickname ‘Lodrino’ for the brand, he formulated his own shaving soap base using natural ingredients, like beef tallow, coconut oil, and various essential oils before extending his catalogue to balms, lotions and serums. While his brand gained recognition in Europe, Lodrino as a brand flew under the radar globally till The Razor Company introduced it to a ton of wet shavers. Lodrino shaving soaps are inspired by traditional barber shops and the Italian Riviera, with scents ranging from sandalwood to complex floral and citrus blends.

First Whiff – The fragrance blend of Spring Water features tangerine, lemon, green and violet leaf with lavender, ozone flowers and sandalwood, cedar, amber, musk and patchouli. At first whiff, I get the soft citrus opening. A second whiff and the floral notes take over with the woody undertones making their presence felt, the amber and musk stand out a bit more with just a hint of cedar and patchouli in the background. While many artisans have created their own versions of an aquatic scent, this soap differs in its aim to capture the essence of spring water which has an earthiness and sweetness to it. This maybe a medium strength scent but it is refreshing, pleasant and reminiscent of fresh spring water with a citrus touch to it. The artisan deserves a pat on the back for venturing onto the path less traveled to create a unique fragrance offering.

First Lather – Water, Stearic Acid, Beef Tallow, Potassium Hydroxide, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Palm Oil, Glycerin, Fragrance, Sweet Almond Oil, Rosehip Oil, Shea Butter, Sodium Hydroxide and Tocopherol are the ingredients that make up Lodrino’s 'Spring Water' soap. I decided to go with a face lathering process this time around and after brush loading for 30 rotations, I proceeded to paint the lather on my cheeks with my Frank Shaving Pur-Tec synthetic brush. Adding a few drops of water to the brush, I continued the process till the soap had developed into a thick paste. I added more water to the bristles before starting to splay the brush gently on my face. The lather had a shine to it but it was still fairly thick. Taking a break of thirty seconds, I added even more water while alternating between splaying the brush and painting a few strokes. Soon, I had a luxurious low structure lather to shave with. This is a thirsty soap and the more it hydrates, the better the result.

IMG-20250727-014648.jpg


First Performance – Using my Alpha Outlaw with a Gillette Nacet blade I found the first pass to be a breeze. The soap provided excellent cushion and protection and a quick check revealed a decent amount of residual slickness. A second pass with two minor touch ups was enough for me to finish with a BBS. This soap may not be the slickest but through the shave, my skin felt nourished and it stayed that away for a few hours after. The blend of tallow, shea butter and oils like almond and rosehip make this one product that is beneficial for the skin. It did remind me of many top tier Italian soaps which focus on post shave skin feel and performance before fragrance., probably Francesco’s origins have much to do with that.

First Opinion – The Lodrino Spring Water soap base is top tier with it’s performance standing confirmation to that. I would have liked the scent to be a bit stronger but having said that, this is one soap I would reach for in a heartbeat when I feel the desire to pamper my skin during a shave. Unavailable as of now but if you find a tub of Spring Water, grab it.

Cover Art Work – 8 / 10

Lather Quality – 8 / 10

Fragrance – 7 / 10

Cushion & Protection – 9 / 10

Slickness – 7 / 10

Post Shave Feel – 10 / 10

Value – 10 / 10

Total Point Score – 59 / 70

AvailabilityUnavailable but sometimes pops up on the bay.
 
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