Super Smooth V2 Testers needed

Tried the Lemon sample tonight

Tools of the trade
Semogue Owners Club Badger
The Shaving Room Bowl
Merkur Futur in Setting 3
Astra Blade
No preshave

First thing is the scent. If I'm being honest I didn't like it. I stated in an earlier post that I recognised the smell
Thought maybe a lemon boiled sweet but someone in a previous post hit the nail on the head with the analogy to a citronella candle. The scent is too synthetic and also reminiscent of cleaning products. Needs to be more fresh. The strength of scent was very strong which I did like. The menthol to me wasn't noticeable- needs to be ramped up quite a lot.

Used just under a quarter of the sample tub and bowl lathered
For the first ten seconds there was a huge amount of bubbly proto-lather. More than I've ever had with any soap but within a few seconds it dissipated and I was left with a great luminous lather. Tons of the stuff. Quite stable too

Wickams lather porn
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The slickness was great but the cushion lacked some. Got a nice smooth shave.
I see some people have had skin reactions to the sample. I didn't have any problems. No tingling or burning sensation. Good performance with the soap. The scent on the other hand put me off but again scent is subjective

Will test the Rusiian leather tomorrow
 
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My samples arrived today thank you Darron. I've not tried them yet but intend to try out the Russian Leather tomorrow and give some feedback.

I think that the smell is pretty much spot on to Imperial Leather soap with another note that I can't quite put my finger on. To be honest, I'm not too keen on the smell of the Lemon Cool. I was expecting something like lemon peppersmith sweets but it came across more like a lemon cleaner, sorry. I didn't really smell any mint in the soap. I'll still try it out though and report back.
 
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dowsing said:
My samples arrived today thank you Darron. I've not tried them yet but intend to try out the Russian Leather tomorrow and give some feedback.

I think that the smell is pretty much spot on to Imperial Leather soap with another note that I can't quite put my finger on. To be honest, I'm not too keen on the smell of the Lemon Cool. I was expecting something like lemon peppersmith sweets but it came across more like a lemon cleaner, sorry. I didn't really smell any mint in the soap. I'll still try it out though and report back.
Click to expand...
Yes the Lemon Cool needs more work. I will start working on this again on Monday and the revision will be in the next round of samples. You will also find the menthol to be weak which really is a surprise to me given that I increased the amount. I now know in which direction this has to be changed.
 
Russian Leather-First Shave

Scent Excellent soapy type scent, reminded me of my Old Spice from India as well as Imperial Leather. Perhaps ideally for my taste I would like the scent notched up a little.

Bowl lathered with plisson synthetic. first attempt, although I squeezed the brush out gently the lather was still a little airy for my taste (I was using a straight as a novice , so I prefer a yogurt texture). Second pass, I re-lathered starting from scratch. This time I wrung out the brush forcefully and started almost dry and just added water a drop at a time. The consistency was much better now, thicker and gave more cushion with a good degree of slickness. The post shave feel seemed more moisturizing than last weeks soft soap sample.

A very good performing soap but to be fair, there are many good performing soaps For me to say its a certain buy, I would prefer the scent be stronger.
 
I like to transfer the samples to small plastic bowls for easier loading. (I'm mostly face lathering right now)
Yesterday's attempt with the Russian Leather was a right mess as the soap was so soft.
A little tip:
Today I transferred the Lemon Cool, but I put the sample in the fridge overnight first. Much, much easier.
 
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I have not been reading peoples comments as I didnt want it to influence mine, other than I saw Darron mention that the menthol was too little.
I decided to go with the lemon first, scooping the soap out of the pot into a tub, in order to load the brush easily.
Right, I hope this isn't too blunt but I'm really not keen on the scent, reminds me of Arko or some sort of cleaner, really synthetic and strong for my liking.
I used my Omega boar brush, Gem blade and Micromatic razor. Same as before.
The lather seemed quite thick for the first pass and got thinner throughout each pass. The 3rd pass, the lather was very thin. I'm not sure if this is due to the lather dispersing or maybe I did not load enough soap, only a second go at the soap will tell.
As the lather was not great, I really expected a rough shave with burn but quite the opposite. I ended with a really close, clean shave, no touch ups needed, no soreness. I think my last shave was Thursday morning too.
I intended not to use balm as my skin felt great but after a couple of minutes it felt tight, so I slapped some balm on.
As a conclusion, even though I had a great shave, closeness and feel wise, if I bought the soap, due to the scent, I don't think it would get used.
 
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riverrun said:
I like to transfer the samples to small plastic bowls for easier loading. (I'm mostly face lathering right now)
Yesterday's attempt with the Russian Leather was a right mess as the soap was so soft.
A little tip:
Today I transferred the Lemon Cool, but I put the sample in the fridge overnight first. Much, much easier.
Click to expand...

What is the general thought amongst all testers, should Super Smooth be a bit more firmer, or more of a creamer cream.
 
I like the texture just as it is thanks, Foxy. Got my samples this morning and it's a non-shave day but they both smell great in their wee boxes. Yon Russky Leather has a real vintage Shulton Old Spice vibe going on - canna stop taking a whiff! Being a bit of a menthol fan I was going to give the Lemon Cool (Sorbet?) a run out tomorrow but I'll be attacking the former with relish!
 
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Wickham Super Smooth V2 Lemon Cool - Shave #1
  • MÜHLE 33K257 synthetic brush
  • Wickham Super Smooth V2 Lemon Cool
  • Bunny V3
  • Chinese Schick blade (5)
  • Cella Colonia Classica
  • Castle Forbes Lime ASB
Brush loaded and face lathered. Plenty of lather. Again, good slickness, even after the lather is removed. Cushion seems slightly less than Russian Leather, but I get variations like that even with the same soap - I'm not a very consistent latherer.
The shave with the Bunny V3 was pleasant and close as always. What a great little machine. BBS in four passes.
Back to the soap. First, the scent. It is kind of lemony, but does remind me of Citronella, but my nose is easily tricked. Unfortunately I have neither a lemon, nor citronella at hand to compare. I'll report back when I can compare to a fresh lemon. Citronella is currently not on my shopping list. Do I like the scent? I like citrus scents, so that's good, but it could be a bit more natural.
Post shave my face felt a bit drier than after using the Russian Leather, so I finished with my favourite citrus blast - Cella Colonia Classica, followed by Castle Forbes Lime ASB.
No negative reaction to the soap from my face.
I'll keep the rest of the sample until Darron sends the second sample of Lemon Cool, so I can compare the two.
Oh, yes - Menthol. Which Menthol?
 
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I had a shave with Russian Leather today, bowl lathered in a warm scuttle. I need to use it a few more times to draw worthwhile conclusions for you Darron, but a decent start. I love the scent, less in your face than some, but is a superb execution of a classic scent and for me doesn't need to be stronger.
 
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First shave with the Russian leather today, lathered with a muhle synthetic and I shaved with a standard razor loaded with a voskhod blade.

I like the soft smooth texture as opposed to the slightly firmer but grainier super smooth I have used previously.

I scooped a small amount out and bowl lathered. There was no evidence of any reaction to this sample.

I quickly produced a thick lather that was protective and felt slightly slicker on rinsing than the previous sample. The scent was pleasant and seemed a subtle clean soapy smell. I don't think I have ever smelt imperial leather to be able to make a comparison. The scent seemed weaker than the peppermint and could possibly be made stronger.

Overall it is a nicely performing soap. Thanks for the opportunity to test the samples. I'll give the lemon cool a run tomorrow.
 
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Prep - Noxzema / Hot towel
Pre shave - Prep
Razor – Weber ARC
Blade – Sputnik Teflon.. chose because I find it slightly rough!
Brush - New Forest Tubby 1 Finest
Soap – Super Smooth V2 Russian Leather
Post - Witch Hazel

Quality of lather.. no problem producing a thick, slick, protective lather.. to a point. 1st pass, no problem. Second pass, I was beginning to feel the blade with slight irritation, but I did choose a rather unforgiving blade for the test.
Closeness.. a good close shave, no doubt about it.
Post shave.. I was going to leave a layer of lather on my chops, as I cleaned my brush, but it started to irritate/sting. Quickly rinsed off, and my face was feeling a little sore, and slightly blotchy. I must admit, that I'd like to try the updated unscented version, as I do sometimes suffer with scented soaps. So the problem could well be that, as I use jojoba oil on the days that I don't shave, after washing my face.
The scent was very pleasant, warm and somehow comforting, whilst not being overpowering. It doesn't linger for too long afterwards, either.
Strength of coolness is not really an issue here.
So Monday, I shall try the Lemon Cool, with a rather more forgiving setup.
 
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