Review - CLUBGUY Shaving Soap

Review
Company: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements (PAA)
Product: CLUBGUY - Classic Barbershop Scent
Founder: Douglas Smythe (AKA)
Location: Casa Grande, Az

Background:
PAA is certainly one of the premier artisan soap makers of today with some of the most unique soaps on the market. PAA has even lent a hand in collaborating with other artisans (RazoRock) to come up with unique scents such as “Beach” but for this article, we will be reviewing CLUBGUY.

Packaging:
Clubguy comes in a tin instead of a screw-on lid it has this plastic strip that wraps around the circumference seam keeping it nice and tight.  I happen to have the 3.5oz tin in fact all the soaps I have from PAA are that size. The only reason for this is I couldn’t find any samples to purchase. This leaves me with spending $10.95 for the smaller 3.5oz, which I might not even like. Sadly this limits me from ordering more freely. The 3.5oz tin still has an ample opening for you to load your brush. The labels on most tins tell a story. I didn’t know this at first but you have to look real carefully for the joke or message. The CaD soap for instance is short for cease and desist, but that’s a whole other story. 

Review: Razo Rock Don Donato Shaving Soap

Review
Company: Razo Rock 
Product: Don Donato
Founder: Joseph Abbatangelo
Location: Made In Italy

I was excited to get this soap. I’m thinking Barber Shop scent can’t wait. As soon as I open the tub I was surprised that I couldn’t smell anything. Wow that was faint I thought. For a min there I’d thought maybe it’s unscented. 

I was so puzzled about it I even emailed Italian Barber. Here is Joseph’s reply “Don Donato is one of our milder scented fragrances.  We don't like everything to have a heavy fragrance because many of clients don't like an overbearing scent.  That scent, with all RazoRock soaps, will begin to blossom and intensify once it's lathers a few times.  Due to the curing process, a lot of the scent on the top lather is lost so once you get into it with the brush the scent pops.” I used it 3 times already and I’m still waiting for it to pop.  The Scent notes according to Razo Rock are Absinthe and a hint of Cedar; warm herbal complexity. The strength of the scent on a scale of one to ten, I would put this at a two.

Review: Select Shave Subscription Box

5 items

Company: Select Shave
Product: Subscription Box March

Very Disappointing March Shave Select Box.
 It's only my second. 

Here are the 5 items in the March Release

Clubman  - Virgin Island Bay Rum aftershave
Arko - Shaving Cream Extra Fresh Ice Mint
Shaving Factory - Shaving Soap
Perma - sharp Super Blades (5)
Andis - Bump Care for Razor Bumps and ingrown hairs

The problem I think is selection. The main repeat manufacturers are Clubman, Arco and Shave Factory. The products selected for Wet Shaving impress me but they have to start looking outside of the 3 main companies. Are we going to see them again Aprils box, maybe. If that’s the case I’m not sure I want to try another box.  

I added up everything and it came to about $17.00 so in my estimation the Select Shave Company owes me $13.00

Conclusion 
Price $30.00 monthly or for cheaper subscription buy a 6 month or a year at one time. 

Lets see what Luxury Barber Box has for us this month and compare the two.

Take Me To Wet The Face

Review: Catie’s Bubbles

Review:
Company: Catie’s Bubbles
Shaving Soap: “La Marche Du Rasage” 
Translation “The Shaving Market”

Whether you’ve been a Wet Shaver for years or just starting out your going to know about Catie’s Bubbles.  This company located in Forked River, N.J. turns out some of the most popular and best performing French style shaving soaps on the market. Their latest is called “La Marche Du Rasage” This is the first official soap of the shaving market. You have to be part of the wet shaving groups on the net to even order it. If not, they will cancel your order and return your money. Fear not they did say it would make its way to the market soon. 
This soap has a very light pleasant cologne fragrance, which will stay with you for hours. It produces a very slick creamy lather, which makes it extremely easy to load a shaving brush. As you apply product you can feel how rich the lather is. Shavers sometimes will make 2 to 3 complete passes in one shave; with this soap you wont have to reload your brush. As with all CB products they perform extremely well. I think they have a winner here and I for one can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Take Me To Wet The Face

Review: Shaving Scuttle

Review
Product: Shaving Scuttle
Inventor: Dr. Chris Moss
First Ever: Sara Bonnyman Pottery

When I first saw one it was a “Shave of the Day” (SOTD) picture. I was really trying to figure out what it was. The guy was so excited; it had arrived in the mail that day. After a few minutes, I said to myself what’s the big deal. Well as it turns out it’s a very big deal. This amazing piece of pottery can change the way you wet shave. It’s a clever design, which allows you to heat your shaving soap or cream as you lather. If you’ve ever sat down for a hot shave from your local barber then you know how great this feels.

The way it works is by transferring the heat from water added to the inside of the scuttles reservoir to the outer most layers causing what’s ever inside it’s cup to be heated. You place your soap or cream inside the cup and start slowly adding water to building up to an amazing hot rich lather.

I have a G20 (pictured) The G is short for George Town the 20 is 20oz water capacity. It comes with a stopper so water is held tightly inside to help reduce spillage. Some scuttle designers will offer different patterns on the inside cup to help promote lather and for holding the soap in place. I don’t find myself using it all the time but when I do it’s helped in giving me great shaves.

We all should thank Dr. Chris Moss who came up with the idea and had Sara Bonnyman make the very first one in her studio.


Take Me To Wet The Face

Below are some links to Shaving Scuttle

http://www.sarabonnymanpottery.com
http://www.georgetownpottery.com
http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=1167
http://www.dirtybirdpottery.com/shavinggear.html
https://www.etsy.com/market/shaving_scuttle

Review: Cremo Shave Cream

Review
Product: Cremo Shave Cream
Founders: Mike Boone / Kyle Schroeder 2007
The Astonishingly Superior Shave Cream

We’ve all seen it. Walking the aisle of your local Walgreens, CVS or Target. Right there in the Men’s Shaving section that white and red tube with the red crown. First time I saw it I passed it right by didn’t even give it a second look.  Then I notice what was written on the label “Try it once to believe it. Enjoy it for life. It’s really that good”.  I had to buy it. 
The way the package looks you would think it comes from Italy. At least I did. But no right on the label it proudly reads “Made in the U.S.A Laguna Beach California.” On the back are the instructions “STOP! _ PLEASE READ. They point out that they want you to use the hottest water you can stand for 30 seconds. Use a towel or shower. This cream is concentrated so a little goes a long way.  They suggest that you use your hands to massage it into your face. As a wet shaver I used a hot towel and then my badger brush to massage and create face lather.  The lather it creates is not thick but it’s very slick. 

Review: Stirling Soap Co.

Review:
Company: Stirling Soap Co.
Product: Bar Soap - Pig Trail
Arkansas Highway 23

I’m not sure I’d buy a product with the word Pig in its title but I did. 
Normally I review shaving products but I came across this soap as a sample. It was part of a monthly Wet Shaving subscription box. When I picked the sample up and held it to my nose to smell it I just couldn’t put it down. I handed it to my wife and she said where did you get this it smells great can I have it? After I write about it I said. By the time I wrote this article we’ve already received the full bars in the mail. So she has her own now. 

Review: J L Davis Soap Co.

Review:
Company: J L Davis Soap Co.
Product: Bee Dreamy Shave Soap

J L Davis Soap Co. is located on the Etsy marketplace. The owner Jamie works out of Paragould, Arkansas. The Shop opened in January 17, 2015. His product line is shaving soaps which he currently has six offerings. The website explains that soap making is one of Jamie’s hobbies. I have to say he's pretty darn good at it.

I ordered the Bee Dreamy, it comes in a tin with a screw on top. I really like this kind of  tin. For $10.95 you get an over poured 4 ounces, which comes to about 4.25-4.6 ounces. The notes on this scent  I would have to say are coconut for the top and the bottom notes would be honey. This is a sweet smelling soap that’s not over powering. In fact the fragrance strength from 1-10 10 being the most powerful I would put it at a 5.

Review: Shave Select Subscription Box

Review
Shave Select Subscription Box
“The First Box”

Two days ago I received the first Shave Select Subscription Box for Wet Shavers. The “Starter Kit” comes in a plan cardboard box with the “Shave Select” Logo printed on the Top. The box came with 10 items.

Shaving Factory - Bore Brush
Shaving Factory – Shavette
Shaving Factory – Disposable Styptic Pencil 20pcs
Blades (5ea)– Astra Superior Platinum, Derby Extra, Feather Hi Stainless DE
Arko Shaving Soap Brick
Arko Shaving Cream Max Comfort
Shave Select Safety Razor SSN1
Gummy Hair Gel 

Review Proraso Red Shaving Soap

Company: Proraso 
Product: Red Shaving Soap
Location: Italy since 1948

Background:
On the website it reads, the year was 1948 when Piero Martelli, on the eve of an economic boom, invented the Proraso Pre Shave Cream. A product whose freshness embodied the spirit of a new found era in Italy.  There is definitely a buzz on the website and it’s full of style. Barbers from London, Paris, Amsterdam, New York and Cape Town are promoted using the Proraso product. It does make you want to setup an appointment.   

Packaging:
All soaps come in Green, Red, White and Blue I purchased red, which is sandalwood. It comes in a plastic red tub with a snap on lid. The lid does stay on tight. Squeezing the top on opposite sides with your index and thumb will release it. The soap is dense but soft.  The opening of the tub is small but I was still able to use my brush to load from it.

Review: Derby Shaving Cream

Review 
Company: Derby
Product: Derby Moisturizing Shaving Cream (Menthol)
Turk Mali – Made in Turkey

The first time I saw Derby Cream it was online searching for my next soap purchase. I had no idea they made a shaving cream.  I thought since the blades are ok why not order it. So I did.  When it finally arrived I couldn’t wait to give it a try. Not knowing how to really lather cream I just placed a dime size dab in the palm of my hand and with hot water worked into my wet face. Man was I disappointed at the results. I thought something’s not right. I pictured this big white beard of lather but it never happened. So I put it away and it sat in my den for months until yesterday. 

Review: Knockout Shave

Review
Company: Knockout Shave
Founder: Ralph Gabb
Product: Silver Shaving Soap
DiNG DiNG DiNG!!!

I needed to shave this morning so I reached for my new soap from Knockout Shave. The scent is called Silver. This company comes out of Germantown, Tennessee. I remember emailing Ralph Gabb the owner and asking him about samples but unfortunately they didn’t have them to sell. So after a week I went back to the website and made a purchase.

 The soap comes in a 4oz clear lightweight plastic tub with a screw on lid and a nice waterproof label on top. The tub has a generous opening to allow you to use your brush when making a lather. 

Fairwell Billy T

Billy T,

I remember when I started in wet shaving seeing the SOTD videos and postings thanking you for such a great job on honing their straight razors. Thanks for taking the time answering all of my newbie questions. I guess all good things must come to and end.
Pictured are the 3 straights you honed for me and of course they work perfectly.

Thanks Again

Take Me To Wet The Face

Review: Wholly Kaw

Review
Company: Wholly Kaw
Product: Fougere Bouquet Shaving Soap 100% Vegan 
Wholly Kaw This is an amazing Soap!

Packaging:
The soap comes in a sturdy white hard plastic tub with a screw on lid. The Wholly Kaw logo looks like a hand drawn cow, which is proudly displayed as part of the label, and is affixed to the top of the lid. On the side of each tub reads the name of the scent it never appears anywhere on the top only the side. This is the only soap I own which is setup like this. In some situations it could be difficult for customers to see which scent he or she is reaching for if they are not visible from the side. The tub has a very wide mouth, which makes it easy to load your brush from.

Review: Soap Commander

Company: Soap Commander
Product: Shaving Soap / Balm

Founders: Darren / Carrie

The company is called Soap Commander working out of the northwest corner of Alabama. When I first started in wet shaving the words Soap Commander kept appearing in most videos and shave of the day (SOTD) descriptions. So I ordered the 9 samples soap package that was offered right on the website. After the samples arrived I quickly made my selection Respect, Vision, Courage and Confidence. I didn’t know it at the time but I
was missing the most important thing, Integrity. It was there and Darren made sure I had it. Along with my order was this little sample packet called Integrity an aftershave balm. Today I don’t know what I would do without this balm. I’m so glad Darren included it with my order. I can’t tell you how many countless times I’ve use this. It has to be the best aftershave balm you’ll ever use.

The shaving soaps are outstanding. They come in a black plastic tub with a screw-on lid that can be held tightly in your hand even when wet. Each one performed flawlessly. The scent discretions were right on target with each one producing a rich creamy lather with plenty of slicknesses.

You have to check out the commander's website. It’s sporting a fresh redesign that’s easy to use so you can easily check out the other wonderful products they have to offer.

One word about samples, I can only convey about scents and how it appeals to me. It’s always a subjective thing so having companies like Soap Commander offering samples is a plus for every consumer. I think we’ve all purchased similar products that sound amazing only to find out afterward it’s not quite what you expected.

In conclusion, you can’t go wrong with Soap Commander products so “Take Charge”!


Company: Soap Commander
Product: Shaving Soap / Balm