Signature Soaps Review Thread

[BrianH]

Had a go with the Coria (lavender) today. Nice scent and not overwhelming. Very easy to load the brush for a face lather. I'm trying to think of different words to use rather than excellent, superb, etc. to describe the lather and the fantastic shave it allows but I'm kind of stuck for words. Suffice to say it is among the best that I've tried.
Unfortunately I am finding that products containing lavender are a wee bit irritating to my skin but this is very much an individual thing and has nothing to do with the superb quality of the Signature Soaps. Fortunately a Goats Milk was also in my sample selection which has all the excellence of the Coria without the very slight irritation. Looking forward to seeing what scents Brian adds to the Goats Milk as I'm anxious to try them (especially in the smaller pots ).
Many thanks to BrianH for the opportunity to try the samples.

Micheal

Thanks for your feedback, it interesting how one essential oil, like Lavender, can be soothing for one person but can irritate another. I know someone who gets short of breath if inhaling Lavender. Glad you liked the Goats Milk.
Regards Brian

 

[BrianH]

Had a go with my other sample today, Valentia.

Same fantastic lather and post shave feel, another great performing soap from Signature.

The scent for this one, for me, was very subtle. It states Sandalwood, Bergamot and Vetiver, but I honestly couldn't get any of that. I have got a bit of a cold so that might have a bit of an effect.

Not that it's a problem, there's always a place for a soap that might not affect your chosen EdC.

Glad you like it. You'll find that essential oils are more subtle than synthetic fragrance oils which a lot of shaving soaps contain (used because they are a lot cheaper than essential oils, but usually contain lots of allergens)
Regards Brian

 

[zygalski]

I got my Capra unscented this morning, after placing the order on Sunday, so nice & quick delivery.

Right off the bat I'm thinking if this stuff is any good, it's a bargain. There's loads of it!
The scent (such as it is) has an earthy warmth to it. Like clay. It's not a scent I'd seek, but it's also not something I'd shy away from.
I can't detect the scent at all post-shave, as you might expect.

Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way. Packaging.
This is not the strong point for this soap. My ingredients label on the base came off after the first use, and the top label may last a couple more shaves. Some water-resistant adhesive and plasticized labels would enhance the packaging no end. I don't mind the simplicity of the font - it adds to the artisan charm and small-batchness of the product.
I suppose if/when I order more, I'll use a permanent marker to label the tubs myself. Anyway...

I used a RazoRock Big Bruce, Merkur 34C HD with a new Personna Lab Blue so I could give the new soap a fair shot.
The texture of the soap is identical to a Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements soap I have. A firm croap, in other words.
The soap lathered a treat. I didn't need much & face lathered it on after loading the damp brush for maybe 10 seconds.

The shave was very smooth. I don't talk about cushioning because I think the term is bollocks, but the soap provided a nice slick 3-pass shave.

The post-shave is excellent.
Previously I'd rated OSP as the best post-shave feel of any soap I'd used. OSP made my face feel oily and smooth, but in a good way.
Signature Soaps Capra has equally (if not better) smoothness and comfort, but the feel is more powdery than oily. Not dry at all, but like if you'd just really lightly dusted your face with baby powder. It still feels like this several hours later.

All in all a fantastic soap. Congrats Brian. Very impressive and amazing VFM.

 

[Satanfriendly]

I know someone who gets short of breath if inhaling Lavender

I am one of those with an allergy to lavender and have to be careful with contents

Found out some years back when a trip to a lavender farm nearly killed me

 

[BrianH]

I got my Capra unscented this morning, after placing the order on Sunday, so nice & quick delivery.

Right off the bat I'm thinking if this stuff is any good, it's a bargain. There's loads of it!
The scent (such as it is) has an earthy warmth to it. Like clay. It's not a scent I'd seek, but it's also not something I'd shy away from.
I can't detect the scent at all post-shave, as you might expect.

Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way. Packaging.
This is not the strong point for this soap. My ingredients label on the base came off after the first use, and the top label may last a couple more shaves. Some water-resistant adhesive and plasticized labels would enhance the packaging no end. I don't mind the simplicity of the font - it adds to the artisan charm and small-batchness of the product.
I suppose if/when I order more, I'll use a permanent marker to label the tubs myself. Anyway...

I used a RazoRock Big Bruce, Merkur 34C HD with a new Personna Lab Blue so I could give the new soap a fair shot.
The texture of the soap is identical to a Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements soap I have. A firm croap, in other words.
The soap lathered a treat. I didn't need much & face lathered it on after loading the damp brush for maybe 10 seconds.

The shave was very smooth. I don't talk about cushioning because I think the term is bollocks, but the soap provided a nice slick 3-pass shave.

The post-shave is excellent.
Previously I'd rated OSP as the best post-shave feel of any soap I'd used. OSP made my face feel oily and smooth, but in a good way.
Signature Soaps Capra has equally (if not better) smoothness and comfort, but the feel is more powdery than oily. Not dry at all, but like if you'd just really lightly dusted your face with baby powder. It still feels like this several hours later.

All in all a fantastic soap. Congrats Brian. Very impressive and amazing VFM.

I got my Capra unscented this morning, after placing the order on Sunday, so nice & quick delivery.

Right off the bat I'm thinking if this stuff is any good, it's a bargain. There's loads of it!
The scent (such as it is) has an earthy warmth to it. Like clay. It's not a scent I'd seek, but it's also not something I'd shy away from.
I can't detect the scent at all post-shave, as you might expect.

Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way. Packaging.
This is not the strong point for this soap. My ingredients label on the base came off after the first use, and the top label may last a couple more shaves. Some water-resistant adhesive and plasticized labels would enhance the packaging no end. I don't mind the simplicity of the font - it adds to the artisan charm and small-batchness of the product.
I suppose if/when I order more, I'll use a permanent marker to label the tubs myself. Anyway...

I used a RazoRock Big Bruce, Merkur 34C HD with a new Personna Lab Blue so I could give the new soap a fair shot.
The texture of the soap is identical to a Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements soap I have. A firm croap, in other words.
The soap lathered a treat. I didn't need much & face lathered it on after loading the damp brush for maybe 10 seconds.

The shave was very smooth. I don't talk about cushioning because I think the term is bollocks, but the soap provided a nice slick 3-pass shave.

The post-shave is excellent.
Previously I'd rated OSP as the best post-shave feel of any soap I'd used. OSP made my face feel oily and smooth, but in a good way.
Signature Soaps Capra has equally (if not better) smoothness and comfort, but the feel is more powdery than oily. Not dry at all, but like if you'd just really lightly dusted your face with baby powder. It still feels like this several hours later.

All in all a fantastic soap. Congrats Brian. Very impressive and amazing VFM.

Thanks for the feedback. Glad you liked the soap. You're right about the labels. I'm in the process of having new labels designed and will have a laminate finish to waterproof them. The unfragranced goat milk soap is deigned for those with skin difficulties (eczema etc) but Inam going to introduce a couple of fragranced versions with essential oils compatible with skin sensitivity.
Regards Brian

 

[BrianH]

I am one of those with an allergy to lavender and have to be careful with contents

Found out some years back when a trip to a lavender farm nearly killed me

Did the wife plan the trip! I'm sure there is a thread there for a murder plot

 

[Satanfriendly]

Did the wife plan the trip! I'm sure there is a thread there for a murder plot

I can assure you I had no plans to murder her. I do like her

 

[globalm]

Since we are mentioning containers and labels I would make this plea.

Sell soap in a large tub with plenty of 'swirl-room' for loading soap, the tub to be of strong plastic such as Brian's samples came in. These tubs to be charged at a premium. Also sell the soap wrapped in greaseproof paper in a simple carboard box (if you make this thin enough you can save on postage costs. The idea is that the tub is sold once and refilled thereafter. People who like to use their own containers can just buy the paper-wrapped version. More eco-friendly maybe?

 

[Bob1955]

I have several tubs I reuse, I have a kilo block of Vitos that I just cut a bit from and add to the tub ( a blue wilkinson soap tub) several alloy tubs each with different soaps I have put in
And some larger plastic tubs for bigger pucks, the Erasmic soap and tub is probably cheaper to buy than a individual tub.
I quite fancy a really nice wooden one, but most I have seen are chinese crap with no lid, the whole range of prorasso tubs are imo one of the better reusables with nice tight seal on the lid, the signature sample soaps are a superb size, not just as a sample but it would be great as a "small" option to buy, without doubt I would buy em all, usually I get a soap and use it until a new one arrives, this "old" soap is confined to the dark corner of a drawer...until I remember about it, but normally it will just be joined by the soap that replaced it and the latest addition takes over...the cycle goes on.
I bought a glycerine soap from Brian, apart from Pears soaps I dont think I have a glyc shaving soap, I have and still sometimes do...add a few drops of glyc to my lather, I feel it makes a difference. For me to get a good shave, a good pre shave routine is a must, no skimping or cutting things short, I can do that with a de if im in a hurry but for straights I like to take my time and not rush anything.

 

[donnie_arko]

Also sell the soap wrapped in greaseproof paper in a simple carboard box (if you make this thin enough you can save on postage costs.

Agree with this 100%.

I really like the packaging that comes with the Italian croaps like Vitos/3P etc where it comes in a block wrapped in plastic and cardboard, and the user can put it in their own container of choice in the amount of their liking.

I bought a glycerine soap from Brian, apart from Pears soaps I dont think I have a glyc shaving soap, I have and still sometimes do...add a few drops of glyc to my lather, I feel it makes a difference. For me to get a good shave, a good pre shave routine is a must, no skimping or cutting things short, I can do that with a de if im in a hurry but for straights I like to take my time and not rush anything.

What's the glycerine version like Bob? Is it a firm soap? I've found the differences between the Vitos croaps, the one that doesn't have it to the one that does to be very significant.

 

[BrianH]

I have several tubs I reuse, I have a kilo block of Vitos that I just cut a bit from and add to the tub ( a blue wilkinson soap tub) several alloy tubs each with different soaps I have put in
And some larger plastic tubs for bigger pucks, the Erasmic soap and tub is probably cheaper to buy than a individual tub.
I quite fancy a really nice wooden one, but most I have seen are chinese crap with no lid, the whole range of prorasso tubs are imo one of the better reusables with nice tight seal on the lid, the signature sample soaps are a superb size, not just as a sample but it would be great as a "small" option to buy, without doubt I would buy em all, usually I get a soap and use it until a new one arrives, this "old" soap is confined to the dark corner of a drawer...until I remember about it, but normally it will just be joined by the soap that replaced it and the latest addition takes over...the cycle goes on.
I bought a glycerine soap from Brian, apart from Pears soaps I dont think I have a glyc shaving soap, I have and still sometimes do...add a few drops of glyc to my lather, I feel it makes a difference. For me to get a good shave, a good pre shave routine is a must, no skimping or cutting things short, I can do that with a de if im in a hurry but for straights I like to take my time and not rush anything.

I posted your Soap this afternoon should arrive tomorrow. Sent the Hybrid not the glycerin as per message

 

[BrianH]

Agree with this 100%.

I really like the packaging that comes with the Italian croaps like Vitos/3P etc where it comes in a block wrapped in plastic and cardboard, and the user can put it in their own container of choice in the amount of their liking.


What's the glycerine version like Bob? Is it a firm soap? I've found the differences between the Vitos croaps, the one that doesn't have it to the one that does to be very significant.

It's a solid soap

 

[BrianH]

Since we are mentioning containers and labels I would make this plea.

Sell soap in a large tub with plenty of 'swirl-room' for loading soap, the tub to be of strong plastic such as Brian's samples came in. These tubs to be charged at a premium. Also sell the soap wrapped in greaseproof paper in a simple carboard box (if you make this thin enough you can save on postage costs. The idea is that the tub is sold once and refilled thereafter. People who like to use their own containers can just buy the paper-wrapped version. More eco-friendly maybe?

As a maker there is increasing pressure to move away from plastic packaging. I've started to use aluminium tubs now which customers who visit my stall at artisan markets generally like. Others say they liked the plastic ones, so for regular customers I give them the choice of the two. I don't know if there is a shift from plastic to non plastic, but would be interested to know

 

[globalm]

As a maker there is increasing pressure to move away from plastic packaging. I've started to use aluminium tubs now which customers who visit my stall at artisan markets generally like. Others say they liked the plastic ones, so for regular customers I give them the choice of the two. I don't know if there is a shift from plastic to non plastic, but would be interested to know

I understand people asking for tubs, but strong plastic, as long as re-used properly, is the best compromise between 'green' and practical. Aluminium tubs are pretty much a disaster for anyone receiving them by post, albeit they are nice if you're buying off a counter. Sent by post, these tins WILL arrive battered and dented. In my own case I would always prefer to buy paper-wrapped soap as I use my own containers.

 

[BrianH]

I understand people asking for tubs, but strong plastic, as long as re-used properly, is the best compromise between 'green' and practical. Aluminium tubs are pretty much a disaster for anyone receiving them by post, albeit they are nice if you're buying off a counter. Sent by post, these tins WILL arrive battered and dented. In my own case I would always prefer to buy paper-wrapped soap as I use my own containers.

That's true, they easily dent

 

[MrK1]

Are samples available to buy?