Best uk artisan soap makers
- Thread starter pearse85
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Stonec0ld
Forum GOD!
What can I say, I'm free with my love.
p.b
Forum GOD!
I think these were teething problems. Should be OK now.
Sorry, I was more suggesting that the OP needs to try em, as everyone has different opinions...
Missoni
Fellow Traveller
Only one, Nanny's Silly Soap Original Recipe - Moroccan Sands. Wickhams developed an "off" smell after a short period of time. Returned it, advised it would be tested; heard nothing back. I suspect this was more a case of forgetfulness. Other UK artisan offerings did not measure-up
although I have yet to try Oatcake.
although I have yet to try Oatcake.
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D
Deleted member 1881
Guest
Oatcake seemed overpriced for me, but I read good things. I have never tried them though, but @Wayne did, I think he also could load with a 40mm from the very first tin as I heard..
Wickham 1912 scents, almost all are the best you can get from ANY artisan worldwide. Scent strength is normal for me and very natural. Post shave is a bit dry but if someone has oily skin, works better.
P&B are excellent performers and well priced in my mind. Scents are not for everyone, I only liked the Albion TBH.
Wickham 1912 scents, almost all are the best you can get from ANY artisan worldwide. Scent strength is normal for me and very natural. Post shave is a bit dry but if someone has oily skin, works better.
P&B are excellent performers and well priced in my mind. Scents are not for everyone, I only liked the Albion TBH.
phoenixandbeau
Forum GOD!
Thank you everyone for your endorsements 
.
The curing and weight matter was a teething problem we fixed in 2016 during our first few months of trading.
No issues or complaints since then
.
.Hi @Holyzeus all of our soaps are sent out with no less than 115g (4oz), and, like most artisans, we select larger than necessary jars so as to offer space to load your brush.
The curing and weight matter was a teething problem we fixed in 2016 during our first few months of trading.
No issues or complaints since then
.
D
Deleted member 1881
Guest
I can confirm that as I have the Sanskrit from the 2016 batch. There is no ammonia smell any more, I left it cure for 2 weeks.Thank you everyone for your endorsements
Hi @Holyzeus all of our soaps are sent out with no less than 115g (4oz), and, like most artisans, we select larger than necessary jars so as to offer space to load your brush.
The curing and weight matter was a teething problem we fixed in 2016 during our first few months of trading.
No issues or complaints since then
This is a neverending soap, I have put it on scales and indeed is even more that I thought so. (170gr including the jar without the lid)
I load heavily with powerful tuxedos which take no prisoners when it comes to soap loading. The soap is not so soft as it looks. You simply can't vanish it!
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TheChrisC
Forum GOD!
I wasn't in the wet shaving hobby when the P&B issues were around, but I've been buying them since about 2017 and the soaps are nothing but great. Scent strength tends to be a little lower but I've come to appreciate that. Less scent strength often means less chance for skin irritation.
For me, P&B and Wickham are must haves.
For me, P&B and Wickham are must haves.
D
Deleted member 30
Guest
No I didn't forgot @Missoni . I chose not to email you back. I had a Parma Violet shave soap from the same batch here that checked out normal. I created samples from this soap and subjected them to various temperature and moisture controlled conditions in the hope to replicate what had been done to the soap you sent back or at least get it to form some kind of odd smell. I had no such luck, apart from the soap you did send back, I removed the top layer and underneath was fresh Parma Violet shaving soap, just like the soap I make and sell. This suggested to me that you contaminated the soap. How this happened I can't say for sure, but what I do know, I was unable to recreate it by creating the right environment for bacteria to grow on the soap.
The reason I didn't email back @Missoni is because I didn't want to spend any more of my time on this by having to try and convince you that you were to blame. But I will below if you read on.
You told me; "I purchased Wickhams Parma Violet a few months ago from Connaughts and used it in rotation with other soaps." So it didn't smell 'off' when you first bought it or you would not of used it. Seriously the soap you sent back to me smelled unlike anything I have ever smelled before in my life, it was foul.
First off, to be using a shaving soap in rotation increases the risk of contaminating it, especially if it's not stored properly or for very long periods of time after use. Although I believe this is rare, it can happen. Bacteria from a dirty brush is the most likely cause for starting this and is what I believed caused your soap to turn that you sent back to me. Leave a contaminated wet soap long enough in a sealed container in a warm and/or humid area before its next use, and I guarantee the next time you use it. You will have either a visible mold or no mold visible on it and either a funky smell or not with each. The difference is dependent on the bacteria it's contaminated with. Gram positive, gram negative, aerobes, anaerobes, or fungi.
I know it's my own fault for not emailing you and I've just learnt, that should something like this ever arise again then your right, I do need to email back.
I now realise to have a customer potentially running around all over the internet for what? 12 months now thinking he is righteous and posting a damaging false belief is not good for my business and reputation. In fact if I'm honest, this really makes me sad when I think about how hard I work for the little financial return I get. I start questioning myself why am I doing this when some people don't appreciate the hard work and sacrifices I make.The hard work seems pointless at times.
The only thing I have in my defense, is the quality of my soap and service I give, which for the majority speaks louder than the negative posts people make.
@Missoni I have to ask, did it not cross your mind to send me an email to see what happened to the testing? Would it not be better than to make a post that creates the image there is something wrong with my product and service?
The reason I have been addressing you as @Missoni and not by your forum username is because you're the only person to have returned a soap to me and this combined with the testing I did is why I know it was you who contaminated that soap.
Unfortunately people think that because soap is seen as a cleaning product that it can't possibly have bacteria grow on it, this is so far from the truth. I have been doing tests with many different shaving soap formulas and some with preservatives in. What's shocking is I can even get bacteria to grow on these as well. https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/would-bacteria-grow-bar-soap
Just as a side note, ever wonder why commercial cream shaving soaps are in squeeze tubes or in small pots? It's to stop users introducing their brushes directly to the soap in the tub or tube. You see these soaps are very easy to contaminate because of the higher water content in them.
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Lann
Forum GOD!
I only use soap from two soap makers now Wickham's and P&B. Don't need, or in fact want, to use any other soaps. Both give me consistently excellent shaves, provide a variety of scent profiles and continue to work hard to bring we, a shaving community based largely in the UK and Europe, new scent profile and products. They work alongside us asking to test out their products, listen and act upon feedback we give to make the best product they can for us. That process in itself must drive them and at times. Most importantly, they both provide a customer service second to none. Add all this together and you see how much making their soap for us means to both Darron and Kerry.
Some of the comments made by a few on this thread are not an accurate or fair reflection of the products they are aimed at. To me, they also read throwaway and as a judgement passed from a position of minimal usage. That comment may not be accurate by the way but I am going to say it anyway because that is the modus operandi of the posters it is aimed at.
Finally, to try and counter balance some of the negativity I am feeling right now. I have recently introduced my father who is well in his 80's and who has been a wet shaver all his life to both Wickham's and P & B and he loves them both!!
keep making your soap
Some of the comments made by a few on this thread are not an accurate or fair reflection of the products they are aimed at. To me, they also read throwaway and as a judgement passed from a position of minimal usage. That comment may not be accurate by the way but I am going to say it anyway because that is the modus operandi of the posters it is aimed at.
Finally, to try and counter balance some of the negativity I am feeling right now. I have recently introduced my father who is well in his 80's and who has been a wet shaver all his life to both Wickham's and P & B and he loves them both!!
keep making your soap
Missoni
Fellow Traveller
Pleased you did not forget but remain surprised you could not afford a courtesy reply. You will recall I returned the soap at my own expense to alert you to a potential problem and provide feedback which I hoped would prove valuable to you - precisely because you are a well regarded UK artisan and active on shaving forums. I would have binned any other soap that developed such a smell; fortunately none have, but took the time to email you, provide feedback and return the soap for testing also advising "no need to refund the postage or send a replacement".
I accepted your assertion you would get back to me after testing the soap - you did not. I agree the soap may have developed an "off" smell because of something I did or did not do; although I do not use or store my soaps in an unusual manner - but who knows. I now know why you believe the soap developed an "off" smell - thank you. I wish you every success in your business endeavours.
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eddie2002
Forum GOD!
I think the positive out of this conversation is how fortunate we are to have all the U.K. artisans working tirelessly to produce creative and appealing products. I’m very grateful to have many of the names mentioned above on my shelves. A truly golden age I will continue to support.