Your expectations are very high for the soap and I fear they may not be met by MdC. But here are a few reasons that may help justify a purchase
- (1) it is a luxury buy; in any world outside of a shaving forum most people, I suspect, would think it insane spending £40+ for 200g of shaving soap, but hey who does not like a little luxury now and again. (2) It is actually better value than any other artisan soaps I have used including UK artisans soaps. I find most artisan offering will give approximately 30-40 shaves per 100g as they usually have a high water content and indeed masquerade as soaps when they are more akin to creams. MdC really does last and last like a triple milled soap. (3) No short shelf life; it lasts for years and indeed MdC recommend leaving the lid off. (4) MdC's party piece is it only requires a few swirls of the brush on the soap to produce copious lather. (5) the scents do not have the same synthetic nose as many other soaps. (5) the performance I do not find any better than mainstream European tallow soaps but the post for me is neutral and clean. I may not be articulating the last point very well but sometimes it is good to just have a clean feel after a shave rather than the over moisturised post that is the vogue with artisan soaps at the moment. (6) your brush will rinse clean very quickly and easily and leave no "stickiness" or residue; I find this somewhat reassuring vis-a-vis the ingredients.
The above said, I actually do prefer Speick and Cella / Vitos, although this is probably in part because of a strong frugal streak in me, but I would recommend MdC as a great performing soap and a must buy for the experience for anyone in this crazy interest of wet shaving. Not sure if it helps but I would say an enjoyable punt, I do not think you will feel "had or took"...