Well, if it works, it works...I fondly remember your pic of the ancient soap you valiantly tried to bring back from the dead @Gargravarr .
But as the saying goes "Some bird are never meant to fly" ...... again.
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WEEKLY SHAVING SOAP REVIEW
- Thread starter Bladerunner7
- Start date
Bladerunner7
Member
NORTH FRENCH BROAD AVE WAGYU SHAVE SOAP
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.
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
Availability – https://www.firstlineshave.com/product-page/north-french-broad-ave
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.
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
Availability – https://www.firstlineshave.com/product-page/north-french-broad-ave
Vittoria
Member
Marvellous review mateNORTH FRENCH BROAD AVE WAGYU SHAVE SOAP
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.
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
Availability – https://www.firstlineshave.com/product-page/north-french-broad-ave
That’s just about your highest score on your rating system. Look forward to the next review.
Cheers
Bladerunner7
Member
Thanks much mate. It is a special one for sure.
Bladerunner7
Member
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.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.
This sounds pretty bloody good.NORTH FRENCH BROAD AVE WAGYU SHAVE SOAP
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.
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
Availability – https://www.firstlineshave.com/product-page/north-french-broad-ave
Bladerunner7
Member
It is a unique one Tom, loved the performance of it big time.
Bladerunner7
Member
Hi All,
I've been traveling on work for the last two weeks. Had two reviews lined up but can't upload my pics. I will have the reviews up when I'm back home in a few days.
I've been traveling on work for the last two weeks. Had two reviews lined up but can't upload my pics. I will have the reviews up when I'm back home in a few days.
Bladerunner7
Member
LODRINO – SPRING WATER SHAVING SOAP
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.
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
Availability – Unavailable but sometimes pops up on the bay.
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.
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
Availability – Unavailable but sometimes pops up on the bay.
Bladerunner7
Member
Gentlemen, I have been M.I.A from most shaving related activity online and that's due to work related travel for a few months, an unexpected and painful spine related issue and a recovery that is moving at a snail's pace. During the last three months I did have the opportunity to try out a ton of soaps, met a Soap Artisan based in Asia and had my fill of trying out different razors. Shaving remains an escapist route from all else that is stress related and I'm sure most here would share that view.
Getting back to routine and will resume the reviews with the first one out in a day or two.
Getting back to routine and will resume the reviews with the first one out in a day or two.
Vittoria
Member
Good to here your on the mend(even at a snails pace) @Bladerunner7 I sympathize with you any thing to do with your back is no joke.
take care mate.
Cheers.
Bladerunner7
Member
Bladerunner7
Member
WOOLLY WASH SOAPERY – OUTBACK
First Look - A ram in an Akubra or a bush hat set against the background of the Australian Outback adorns the cover of Woolly Wash Soapery's 'Outback' aluminum soap container , the brand name and the soaps’ title take up the rest of the space on the label. What’s not to like in the artwork, it is simple yet unique and a teaser of the star ingredient inside the container as in the sheep’s tallow. This one is a winner for me.
Side Note – Iana Winning is the young Artisan behind the Wolly Wash Soapery Brand . Passionate about cosmetic chemistry, her experiments with traditional cold process methods, developing new formulas and blending essential oils for skin care products helped her discover the benefits of grass-fed tallow sourced from her family owned sheep and cattle station in south west Queensland. Not only did her skin care products journey lead her to creating shaving soaps but it also helped her discover a use for the tallow on her farm that would go to waste otherwise. Away from soap making, Iana spends time with her pet goats, lambs, calves and a dog too. She also spends a few months every year in the USA hiking and camping.
First Whiff – The fragrance profile of Outback features Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot and Cedarwood. At first whiff I get Patchouli with a bit of gaminess, a second whiff and my nose catches a hint of Bergamot and Cedarwood with the Sandalwood coming through as a trace. A third whiff and the Patchouli seems to overpower everything else with that gamey scent lingering in the background. Any doubt of this being a tallow rich soap will be dispelled immediately when you open the container. While I am neutral about the natural tallow scent in a shaving soap, my vegan friends would run for cover. I find the fragrance profile of this soap pleasant but the notes need to be balanced better.
First Lather – One look at the soft puck in the Outback and scoop rather than brush load was the obvious choice. Smearing a teaspoon of the soap at the bottom of my Cayuen lather bowl, I let the soap bloom in a tablespoon lukewarm water for a few minutes. Then, using my damp Semogue boar brush I swirled it clockwise and anti-clockwise for 60 seconds before letting the soap rest and hydrate for two minutes. Adding two tablespoons more of water, I proceeded to gently swirl the brush clockwise, two minutes later I had a luxurious, creamy and dense lather. While the soap’s fragrance didn’t blow me away the lather quality certainly did. This is an easy soap to work with and you can dial in the consistency of the lather by adding more or less water, I was truly impressed.
First Performance – While painting the first few strokes of lather on my face, I could tell of the skin nourishing ingredients in the soap, it felt good on my cheeks. I proceeded to shave using a Wizamet blade loaded in my Karve Overlander and that’s where everything went a bit south for me. The lather was thick but the cushion and protection were just a bit above average. Through the first pass I missed the usual smoothness of the Overlander , with the soap not aiding the glide in any way. I proceed with the second pass and it was the same, the residual slickness was missing and that did affect the movement of the razor on my skin through the shave. Post the shave my cheeks felt a bit dry as well. The list of ingredients featuring Stearic Acid, Goat Milk, Sheep Tallow, Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Cocoa Butter, Castor Oil, Essential Oils (Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot & Cedarwood), Citric Acid and Tussah Silk featured on the back of the soap container should have made for a stellar performance but it didn’t. Then it hit me, while shavers need to dial in the right amount of hydration for their preferred lather, soap artisans also need to do the same with the ratio of each ingredient used in the mix. While impressed with the lather, the soap’s actual performance was a bit of a let-down for me.
First Opinion – Outback being one of the first shaving soaps by the Wolly Wash Soapery deserves a pat on the back for its presentation, high quality ingredients and affordable price point. Having said that, Rome wasn’t built in a day and soap artisans have had to work through numerous formulations before creating a top tier base. I commend Iana on her first effort and know that with a reformulation and a few added ingredients, a top shelf shaving soap from her stable could be in every wet shavers den soon. I would recommend that every wet shaver experience this product to jointly support the transition of a budding soap artisan with great potential into a master soap maker.
Cover Art Work – 8 / 10
Lather Quality – 10 / 10
Fragrance – 5 / 10
Cushion & Protection – 6 / 10
Slickness – 3 / 10
Post Shave Feel – 5 / 10
Value – 9 / 10
Total Point Score – 46 / 70
Availability – https://woolly-wash-soapery.square.site/s/shop , https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoollyWashSoapery?dd_referrer=https://www.google.com/
First Look - A ram in an Akubra or a bush hat set against the background of the Australian Outback adorns the cover of Woolly Wash Soapery's 'Outback' aluminum soap container , the brand name and the soaps’ title take up the rest of the space on the label. What’s not to like in the artwork, it is simple yet unique and a teaser of the star ingredient inside the container as in the sheep’s tallow. This one is a winner for me.
Side Note – Iana Winning is the young Artisan behind the Wolly Wash Soapery Brand . Passionate about cosmetic chemistry, her experiments with traditional cold process methods, developing new formulas and blending essential oils for skin care products helped her discover the benefits of grass-fed tallow sourced from her family owned sheep and cattle station in south west Queensland. Not only did her skin care products journey lead her to creating shaving soaps but it also helped her discover a use for the tallow on her farm that would go to waste otherwise. Away from soap making, Iana spends time with her pet goats, lambs, calves and a dog too. She also spends a few months every year in the USA hiking and camping.
First Whiff – The fragrance profile of Outback features Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot and Cedarwood. At first whiff I get Patchouli with a bit of gaminess, a second whiff and my nose catches a hint of Bergamot and Cedarwood with the Sandalwood coming through as a trace. A third whiff and the Patchouli seems to overpower everything else with that gamey scent lingering in the background. Any doubt of this being a tallow rich soap will be dispelled immediately when you open the container. While I am neutral about the natural tallow scent in a shaving soap, my vegan friends would run for cover. I find the fragrance profile of this soap pleasant but the notes need to be balanced better.
First Lather – One look at the soft puck in the Outback and scoop rather than brush load was the obvious choice. Smearing a teaspoon of the soap at the bottom of my Cayuen lather bowl, I let the soap bloom in a tablespoon lukewarm water for a few minutes. Then, using my damp Semogue boar brush I swirled it clockwise and anti-clockwise for 60 seconds before letting the soap rest and hydrate for two minutes. Adding two tablespoons more of water, I proceeded to gently swirl the brush clockwise, two minutes later I had a luxurious, creamy and dense lather. While the soap’s fragrance didn’t blow me away the lather quality certainly did. This is an easy soap to work with and you can dial in the consistency of the lather by adding more or less water, I was truly impressed.
First Performance – While painting the first few strokes of lather on my face, I could tell of the skin nourishing ingredients in the soap, it felt good on my cheeks. I proceeded to shave using a Wizamet blade loaded in my Karve Overlander and that’s where everything went a bit south for me. The lather was thick but the cushion and protection were just a bit above average. Through the first pass I missed the usual smoothness of the Overlander , with the soap not aiding the glide in any way. I proceed with the second pass and it was the same, the residual slickness was missing and that did affect the movement of the razor on my skin through the shave. Post the shave my cheeks felt a bit dry as well. The list of ingredients featuring Stearic Acid, Goat Milk, Sheep Tallow, Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Cocoa Butter, Castor Oil, Essential Oils (Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot & Cedarwood), Citric Acid and Tussah Silk featured on the back of the soap container should have made for a stellar performance but it didn’t. Then it hit me, while shavers need to dial in the right amount of hydration for their preferred lather, soap artisans also need to do the same with the ratio of each ingredient used in the mix. While impressed with the lather, the soap’s actual performance was a bit of a let-down for me.
First Opinion – Outback being one of the first shaving soaps by the Wolly Wash Soapery deserves a pat on the back for its presentation, high quality ingredients and affordable price point. Having said that, Rome wasn’t built in a day and soap artisans have had to work through numerous formulations before creating a top tier base. I commend Iana on her first effort and know that with a reformulation and a few added ingredients, a top shelf shaving soap from her stable could be in every wet shavers den soon. I would recommend that every wet shaver experience this product to jointly support the transition of a budding soap artisan with great potential into a master soap maker.
Cover Art Work – 8 / 10
Lather Quality – 10 / 10
Fragrance – 5 / 10
Cushion & Protection – 6 / 10
Slickness – 3 / 10
Post Shave Feel – 5 / 10
Value – 9 / 10
Total Point Score – 46 / 70
Availability – https://woolly-wash-soapery.square.site/s/shop , https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoollyWashSoapery?dd_referrer=https://www.google.com/
Great review! I find that more water leads to optimal slickness with Iana's soaps. I have zero complaints in the slickness and residual slickness with these soaps when well hydrated, ranking them on par with the very best performers like Eufros, SV and MdC on that score. There is still a couple of months to go, but so far the best soap I have encountered in 2025 is her Tranquility: fantastic performance and a delightful and unique scent.
WOOLLY WASH SOAPERY – OUTBACK
First Look - A ram in an Akubra or a bush hat set against the background of the Australian Outback adorns the cover of Woolly Wash Soapery's 'Outback' aluminum soap container , the brand name and the soaps’ title take up the rest of the space on the label. What’s not to like in the artwork, it is simple yet unique and a teaser of the star ingredient inside the container as in the sheep’s tallow. This one is a winner for me.
Side Note – Iana Winning is the young Artisan behind the Wolly Wash Soapery Brand . Passionate about cosmetic chemistry, her experiments with traditional cold process methods, developing new formulas and blending essential oils for skin care products helped her discover the benefits of grass-fed tallow sourced from her family owned sheep and cattle station in south west Queensland. Not only did her skin care products journey lead her to creating shaving soaps but it also helped her discover a use for the tallow on her farm that would go to waste otherwise. Away from soap making, Iana spends time with her pet goats, lambs, calves and a dog too. She also spends a few months every year in the USA hiking and camping.
First Whiff – The fragrance profile of Outback features Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot and Cedarwood. At first whiff I get Patchouli with a bit of gaminess, a second whiff and my nose catches a hint of Bergamot and Cedarwood with the Sandalwood coming through as a trace. A third whiff and the Patchouli seems to overpower everything else with that gamey scent lingering in the background. Any doubt of this being a tallow rich soap will be dispelled immediately when you open the container. While I am neutral about the natural tallow scent in a shaving soap, my vegan friends would run for cover. I find the fragrance profile of this soap pleasant but the notes need to be balanced better.
First Lather – One look at the soft puck in the Outback and scoop rather than brush load was the obvious choice. Smearing a teaspoon of the soap at the bottom of my Cayuen lather bowl, I let the soap bloom in a tablespoon lukewarm water for a few minutes. Then, using my damp Semogue boar brush I swirled it clockwise and anti-clockwise for 60 seconds before letting the soap rest and hydrate for two minutes. Adding two tablespoons more of water, I proceeded to gently swirl the brush clockwise, two minutes later I had a luxurious, creamy and dense lather. While the soap’s fragrance didn’t blow me away the lather quality certainly did. This is an easy soap to work with and you can dial in the consistency of the lather by adding more or less water, I was truly impressed.
First Performance – While painting the first few strokes of lather on my face, I could tell of the skin nourishing ingredients in the soap, it felt good on my cheeks. I proceeded to shave using a Wizamet blade loaded in my Karve Overlander and that’s where everything went a bit south for me. The lather was thick but the cushion and protection were just a bit above average. Through the first pass I missed the usual smoothness of the Overlander , with the soap not aiding the glide in any way. I proceed with the second pass and it was the same, the residual slickness was missing and that did affect the movement of the razor on my skin through the shave. Post the shave my cheeks felt a bit dry as well. The list of ingredients featuring Stearic Acid, Goat Milk, Sheep Tallow, Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Cocoa Butter, Castor Oil, Essential Oils (Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot & Cedarwood), Citric Acid and Tussah Silk featured on the back of the soap container should have made for a stellar performance but it didn’t. Then it hit me, while shavers need to dial in the right amount of hydration for their preferred lather, soap artisans also need to do the same with the ratio of each ingredient used in the mix. While impressed with the lather, the soap’s actual performance was a bit of a let-down for me.
First Opinion – Outback being one of the first shaving soaps by the Wolly Wash Soapery deserves a pat on the back for its presentation, high quality ingredients and affordable price point. Having said that, Rome wasn’t built in a day and soap artisans have had to work through numerous formulations before creating a top tier base. I commend Iana on her first effort and know that with a reformulation and a few added ingredients, a top shelf shaving soap from her stable could be in every wet shavers den soon. I would recommend that every wet shaver experience this product to jointly support the transition of a budding soap artisan with great potential into a master soap maker.
Cover Art Work – 8 / 10
Lather Quality – 10 / 10
Fragrance – 5 / 10
Cushion & Protection – 6 / 10
Slickness – 3 / 10
Post Shave Feel – 5 / 10
Value – 9 / 10
Total Point Score – 46 / 70
Availability – https://woolly-wash-soapery.square.site/s/shop , https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoollyWashSoapery?dd_referrer=https://www.google.com/
Thanks for review. Your review mirrors my experience also. There is a lot to like about Wooly’s & can’t help but to think this soap could rival top tier artisans abroad with some fine tuning to add glide, slickness & balancing scent profiles. A fine wine takes time & care.WOOLLY WASH SOAPERY – OUTBACK
First Look - A ram in an Akubra or a bush hat set against the background of the Australian Outback adorns the cover of Woolly Wash Soapery's 'Outback' aluminum soap container , the brand name and the soaps’ title take up the rest of the space on the label. What’s not to like in the artwork, it is simple yet unique and a teaser of the star ingredient inside the container as in the sheep’s tallow. This one is a winner for me.
Side Note – Iana Winning is the young Artisan behind the Wolly Wash Soapery Brand . Passionate about cosmetic chemistry, her experiments with traditional cold process methods, developing new formulas and blending essential oils for skin care products helped her discover the benefits of grass-fed tallow sourced from her family owned sheep and cattle station in south west Queensland. Not only did her skin care products journey lead her to creating shaving soaps but it also helped her discover a use for the tallow on her farm that would go to waste otherwise. Away from soap making, Iana spends time with her pet goats, lambs, calves and a dog too. She also spends a few months every year in the USA hiking and camping.
First Whiff – The fragrance profile of Outback features Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot and Cedarwood. At first whiff I get Patchouli with a bit of gaminess, a second whiff and my nose catches a hint of Bergamot and Cedarwood with the Sandalwood coming through as a trace. A third whiff and the Patchouli seems to overpower everything else with that gamey scent lingering in the background. Any doubt of this being a tallow rich soap will be dispelled immediately when you open the container. While I am neutral about the natural tallow scent in a shaving soap, my vegan friends would run for cover. I find the fragrance profile of this soap pleasant but the notes need to be balanced better.
First Lather – One look at the soft puck in the Outback and scoop rather than brush load was the obvious choice. Smearing a teaspoon of the soap at the bottom of my Cayuen lather bowl, I let the soap bloom in a tablespoon lukewarm water for a few minutes. Then, using my damp Semogue boar brush I swirled it clockwise and anti-clockwise for 60 seconds before letting the soap rest and hydrate for two minutes. Adding two tablespoons more of water, I proceeded to gently swirl the brush clockwise, two minutes later I had a luxurious, creamy and dense lather. While the soap’s fragrance didn’t blow me away the lather quality certainly did. This is an easy soap to work with and you can dial in the consistency of the lather by adding more or less water, I was truly impressed.
First Performance – While painting the first few strokes of lather on my face, I could tell of the skin nourishing ingredients in the soap, it felt good on my cheeks. I proceeded to shave using a Wizamet blade loaded in my Karve Overlander and that’s where everything went a bit south for me. The lather was thick but the cushion and protection were just a bit above average. Through the first pass I missed the usual smoothness of the Overlander , with the soap not aiding the glide in any way. I proceed with the second pass and it was the same, the residual slickness was missing and that did affect the movement of the razor on my skin through the shave. Post the shave my cheeks felt a bit dry as well. The list of ingredients featuring Stearic Acid, Goat Milk, Sheep Tallow, Shea Butter, Potassium Hydroxide, Vegetable Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Cocoa Butter, Castor Oil, Essential Oils (Sandalwood, Patchouli, Bergamot & Cedarwood), Citric Acid and Tussah Silk featured on the back of the soap container should have made for a stellar performance but it didn’t. Then it hit me, while shavers need to dial in the right amount of hydration for their preferred lather, soap artisans also need to do the same with the ratio of each ingredient used in the mix. While impressed with the lather, the soap’s actual performance was a bit of a let-down for me.
First Opinion – Outback being one of the first shaving soaps by the Wolly Wash Soapery deserves a pat on the back for its presentation, high quality ingredients and affordable price point. Having said that, Rome wasn’t built in a day and soap artisans have had to work through numerous formulations before creating a top tier base. I commend Iana on her first effort and know that with a reformulation and a few added ingredients, a top shelf shaving soap from her stable could be in every wet shavers den soon. I would recommend that every wet shaver experience this product to jointly support the transition of a budding soap artisan with great potential into a master soap maker.
Cover Art Work – 8 / 10
Lather Quality – 10 / 10
Fragrance – 5 / 10
Cushion & Protection – 6 / 10
Slickness – 3 / 10
Post Shave Feel – 5 / 10
Value – 9 / 10
Total Point Score – 46 / 70
Availability – https://woolly-wash-soapery.square.site/s/shop , https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoollyWashSoapery?dd_referrer=https://www.google.com/
Bladerunner7
Member
JACK JARVIS – CADWGAWN ORIGINAL RECIPE
First Look - The brand name, soap title, weight of the product, country of manufacture and the sketch of a ship adorn the tub’s cover of Jack Jarvis Cadwgawn. There’s a vintage look in the artwork with a leaning towards seafarers, merchants or traders on the high seas. This could very well be the cover of a Bay Rum shaving soap as well but it isn’t. I do like the artwork much and the black and white simplicity add a touch of elegance to the tub. By the way, the coconut shell was for illustration purposes only.
Side note – Not much is known about the Jack Jarvis brand except that an artisan soap maker based in Chiang Mai, Thailand makes these by hand in small batches, using the best natural ingredients and essential oils available. Cadwgawn pronounced as Ka-Doo-Gan tells of a legendary tale where great grandpa's original shave soap recipe was handed to Jack Jarvis on the voyage from Sydney Australia to Cadwgawns last known port of Thailand.I'm still trying to figure that one out.
First Whiff – The soap’s original recipe is a supposed to feature a beautiful mix of exotic oils, and essential oils. At first whiff I was charmed by its pleasant yet very unique fragrance. The main notes featured in it are Lavender, Clove and Rosemary. The lavender dominated the opening but it was different, not the powdery kind but more herbal in its projection, a second whiff and the subtle clove came through, not intense like in a bay rum formulation but very gentle in its presence. The lavender and clove notes seemed to be dancing over a bed of rosemary and once again not the sweet and intense rosemary used in cooking but one that was made for perfumes, gentle, invigorating and addictive. With every whiff of the soap I could get a citrus presence, unlike lime or mandarin or lemon, this was more exotic. That citrus in the background seemed to bind the main three players together to create something very unique , a fragrance unlike the regular cologne, leather, tobacco, woody and floral offerings available. I tip my hat off to the Artisan for creating a scent that stands out from the crowd in a very bold manner.
First Lather – On opening up the tub, I knew at first glance that this was a hard soap and I had to scrape away rather than scoop. Once I had an amount equivalent to a full teaspoon, I smeared the soap at the bottom of my bowl and bloomed it in two tablespoons drinkable hot water for five minutes. Using a damp Semogue Boar brush in my HC & Co SS lather bowl I did a minute of clockwise and anti-clockwise rotations before leaving the paste to hydrate for a minute. Returning to the bowl I added a tablespoon more of water before proceeding with two minutes of firm but gentle brush swirling. The result blew me away, a dense, glossy and luxurious lather, I checked the contents of the soap again to make sure there was no tallow and there was none. This soap lathered up like a rich tallow and I was impressed with it. The soap needs to be bloomed well and I guess if it were done in the tub itself and brush loaded, it might provide an even richer lather.
First Performance – While I was painting the first few strokes of lather on the face, I could swear once again, that this was a rich tallow soap. So I had another look at the ingredients which included Organic oils of Coconut, Olive, Grape Seed and Argan, Organic Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Glycerine, Silk Amino Acids, Betonite Clay, Wild Honey, Stearic Acid, Vitamin E and Essential oils of French Lavender, Citron peel, Rosemary and Clove. With my doubts of any tallow infiltration ruled out, I proceeded to use a Rex Ambassador on a four setting with a Wizamet blade. I had an enjoyable two pass BBS on five days of growth. The cushion and protection provided by the soap were excellent with the residual slickness making it easy to buff a few spots. The lather maintained its form and consistency till the time I rinsed the bowl out with water. The post shave result of this soap was great too, even after splashing on some Clubman Pinaud AS, my skin felt refreshed and pampered for a few hours without the drying effect that the after shave can sometimes have.
First Opinion – The humble and fairly unknown Cadwgawn by Jack Jarvis was a sleeper hit for me in the artisan shaving soap arena and along with it’s out of the box fragrance and quality vegan ingredients, it delivered a stellar performance on par with some of the best tallow offerings available today. Being a 240 gram pour, this soap is terrific bang for your buck, grab yourself a tub while you can, you won’t be disappointed.
Cover Art Work – 8 / 10
Lather Quality – 8 / 10
Fragrance – 8 / 10
Cushion & Protection – 8 / 10
Slickness – 7 / 10
Post Shave Feel – 8 / 10
Value – 10 / 10
Total Point Score – 57 / 70
Availability – www.thailandwetshave.com (Remember to translate the page to English)
First Look - The brand name, soap title, weight of the product, country of manufacture and the sketch of a ship adorn the tub’s cover of Jack Jarvis Cadwgawn. There’s a vintage look in the artwork with a leaning towards seafarers, merchants or traders on the high seas. This could very well be the cover of a Bay Rum shaving soap as well but it isn’t. I do like the artwork much and the black and white simplicity add a touch of elegance to the tub. By the way, the coconut shell was for illustration purposes only.
Side note – Not much is known about the Jack Jarvis brand except that an artisan soap maker based in Chiang Mai, Thailand makes these by hand in small batches, using the best natural ingredients and essential oils available. Cadwgawn pronounced as Ka-Doo-Gan tells of a legendary tale where great grandpa's original shave soap recipe was handed to Jack Jarvis on the voyage from Sydney Australia to Cadwgawns last known port of Thailand.I'm still trying to figure that one out.
First Whiff – The soap’s original recipe is a supposed to feature a beautiful mix of exotic oils, and essential oils. At first whiff I was charmed by its pleasant yet very unique fragrance. The main notes featured in it are Lavender, Clove and Rosemary. The lavender dominated the opening but it was different, not the powdery kind but more herbal in its projection, a second whiff and the subtle clove came through, not intense like in a bay rum formulation but very gentle in its presence. The lavender and clove notes seemed to be dancing over a bed of rosemary and once again not the sweet and intense rosemary used in cooking but one that was made for perfumes, gentle, invigorating and addictive. With every whiff of the soap I could get a citrus presence, unlike lime or mandarin or lemon, this was more exotic. That citrus in the background seemed to bind the main three players together to create something very unique , a fragrance unlike the regular cologne, leather, tobacco, woody and floral offerings available. I tip my hat off to the Artisan for creating a scent that stands out from the crowd in a very bold manner.
First Lather – On opening up the tub, I knew at first glance that this was a hard soap and I had to scrape away rather than scoop. Once I had an amount equivalent to a full teaspoon, I smeared the soap at the bottom of my bowl and bloomed it in two tablespoons drinkable hot water for five minutes. Using a damp Semogue Boar brush in my HC & Co SS lather bowl I did a minute of clockwise and anti-clockwise rotations before leaving the paste to hydrate for a minute. Returning to the bowl I added a tablespoon more of water before proceeding with two minutes of firm but gentle brush swirling. The result blew me away, a dense, glossy and luxurious lather, I checked the contents of the soap again to make sure there was no tallow and there was none. This soap lathered up like a rich tallow and I was impressed with it. The soap needs to be bloomed well and I guess if it were done in the tub itself and brush loaded, it might provide an even richer lather.
First Performance – While I was painting the first few strokes of lather on the face, I could swear once again, that this was a rich tallow soap. So I had another look at the ingredients which included Organic oils of Coconut, Olive, Grape Seed and Argan, Organic Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Glycerine, Silk Amino Acids, Betonite Clay, Wild Honey, Stearic Acid, Vitamin E and Essential oils of French Lavender, Citron peel, Rosemary and Clove. With my doubts of any tallow infiltration ruled out, I proceeded to use a Rex Ambassador on a four setting with a Wizamet blade. I had an enjoyable two pass BBS on five days of growth. The cushion and protection provided by the soap were excellent with the residual slickness making it easy to buff a few spots. The lather maintained its form and consistency till the time I rinsed the bowl out with water. The post shave result of this soap was great too, even after splashing on some Clubman Pinaud AS, my skin felt refreshed and pampered for a few hours without the drying effect that the after shave can sometimes have.
First Opinion – The humble and fairly unknown Cadwgawn by Jack Jarvis was a sleeper hit for me in the artisan shaving soap arena and along with it’s out of the box fragrance and quality vegan ingredients, it delivered a stellar performance on par with some of the best tallow offerings available today. Being a 240 gram pour, this soap is terrific bang for your buck, grab yourself a tub while you can, you won’t be disappointed.
Cover Art Work – 8 / 10
Lather Quality – 8 / 10
Fragrance – 8 / 10
Cushion & Protection – 8 / 10
Slickness – 7 / 10
Post Shave Feel – 8 / 10
Value – 10 / 10
Total Point Score – 57 / 70
Availability – www.thailandwetshave.com (Remember to translate the page to English)
Last edited:
I couldn't translate the page to English from my end.