Monsta_AU
...can I interest you in some vintage blades?
Staff member
Forum Administrator
Grand Society
I have held back my thoughts on this as I did not want my own thoughts to colour everyone else's opinions of the products.
Firstly a massive thanks to Dan and Andy for just going ahead and doing something for the members here.... they didn't even come to me for approval because they knew they were doing a cool thing and I would have greenlighted it in any case. I am proud to have you both here and contributing in many ways to the community that continues to grow from your continued presence here. Secondly, this is my first Squadron soap. Sad but true fact. I should have been on these far earlier but unlike some around here I don't believe in buying every single soap in existence, and I have limited storage as I live in an apartment.
The scent of this in the tub/bottle is lovely, definite fruity overtone with some citrus from the Orange, lime and Myrtle which is not a combo I would have considered. Light spice is there too with that fresh mint lifiting everything up a little more. It smells a bit like Cairns in summer if you just air-conned the whole town. Dan has really upped his technical scent game in the last 3 months after the Coeur de Vert and Lixivant releases which I loved, but this moves in a completely different direction and goes to show what can be achieved with dedication and a thirst to learn and be better.
The initial shave was Wednesday morning with my normal setup (Fatboy on 5, Plissitane) however I was on a 2-shave feather rather than my normal vintage blades.
The soap itself has great scent strength, while the performance is very good. Certainly has excellent body and definitely whips up thick and creamy on an initial face lather, and then slickens well once you start adding water to it. Seems like it can take quite a bit of water in the formulation also, and it performs as well as any SH or APR release on average. There was a little issue with cushion for me but I am not sure if that was blade related or just that the soap needs a few lathers under it's belt. Second pass with a bit more water had the slick glide I am accustomed to from B&M and APR soaps so it was all good there.
The AS is where the experiences between APR and Squardron really differs. As mentioned there is certainly less EO content in the Squadron AS formulation when comparing to APR releases, as well as what feels to be a higher witchhazel content. While APR does go on a little sticky initially, it does not last very long and I also have very oily skin. The Squadron AS seems to be more along the lines of the B&M style splash although a bit better in post-application feel. Definitely a big menth hit on application (I am a menth wuss) and that sting hangs around for a bit.
That said, it was not all plain sailing with the scent. About 15-20 minutes into the drydown I got a mixed note of sweet body odor which seems to be coming from the guava.... and that persisted for quite some time. I am guessing that is my own skin chemistry and scent mixing with the components and turning up something a little unpleasant, and of course did check with Dan and he tended to think that it was a reactive of my own with the ingredients. That said often continued use will adjust the skin chemistry a little and this may get better. More than happy to keep trying it. That said the overall scent was long-lasting and my other half could smell it on me next morning.
Looking forward to the next secret release of APR, and Andy will be getting another order from me soon I am sure. To have two guys that produce this quality of product locally is insane when you look at the per-capita size of us, and then put them into the company of other artisans who produce the similar quality product. Just amazing....
Firstly a massive thanks to Dan and Andy for just going ahead and doing something for the members here.... they didn't even come to me for approval because they knew they were doing a cool thing and I would have greenlighted it in any case. I am proud to have you both here and contributing in many ways to the community that continues to grow from your continued presence here. Secondly, this is my first Squadron soap. Sad but true fact. I should have been on these far earlier but unlike some around here I don't believe in buying every single soap in existence, and I have limited storage as I live in an apartment.
The scent of this in the tub/bottle is lovely, definite fruity overtone with some citrus from the Orange, lime and Myrtle which is not a combo I would have considered. Light spice is there too with that fresh mint lifiting everything up a little more. It smells a bit like Cairns in summer if you just air-conned the whole town. Dan has really upped his technical scent game in the last 3 months after the Coeur de Vert and Lixivant releases which I loved, but this moves in a completely different direction and goes to show what can be achieved with dedication and a thirst to learn and be better.
The initial shave was Wednesday morning with my normal setup (Fatboy on 5, Plissitane) however I was on a 2-shave feather rather than my normal vintage blades.
The soap itself has great scent strength, while the performance is very good. Certainly has excellent body and definitely whips up thick and creamy on an initial face lather, and then slickens well once you start adding water to it. Seems like it can take quite a bit of water in the formulation also, and it performs as well as any SH or APR release on average. There was a little issue with cushion for me but I am not sure if that was blade related or just that the soap needs a few lathers under it's belt. Second pass with a bit more water had the slick glide I am accustomed to from B&M and APR soaps so it was all good there.
The AS is where the experiences between APR and Squardron really differs. As mentioned there is certainly less EO content in the Squadron AS formulation when comparing to APR releases, as well as what feels to be a higher witchhazel content. While APR does go on a little sticky initially, it does not last very long and I also have very oily skin. The Squadron AS seems to be more along the lines of the B&M style splash although a bit better in post-application feel. Definitely a big menth hit on application (I am a menth wuss) and that sting hangs around for a bit.
That said, it was not all plain sailing with the scent. About 15-20 minutes into the drydown I got a mixed note of sweet body odor which seems to be coming from the guava.... and that persisted for quite some time. I am guessing that is my own skin chemistry and scent mixing with the components and turning up something a little unpleasant, and of course did check with Dan and he tended to think that it was a reactive of my own with the ingredients. That said often continued use will adjust the skin chemistry a little and this may get better. More than happy to keep trying it. That said the overall scent was long-lasting and my other half could smell it on me next morning.
Looking forward to the next secret release of APR, and Andy will be getting another order from me soon I am sure. To have two guys that produce this quality of product locally is insane when you look at the per-capita size of us, and then put them into the company of other artisans who produce the similar quality product. Just amazing....
