Best uk artisan soap makers

[honeywoodjohn]

I really liked some of the scents in the sample pack, but had trouble dialing it in too. Either dried half way through a pass (still shaved really well) or ended up runny. Not the best brush wielder in the world, but feel like it takes more work/technique than others to get a good lather.

Despite that, the quality of shave I've had with Oatcake was slightly better than either Wickhams or P&B

You should contact Ed who makes them - I had the same issue at first but he helped me get there. Essentially, the brush needs to start less wet than usual and add water more slowly, it then builds up beautifully.

 

[Deleted member 30]

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.

Your right, and I apologise for not contacting you @Missoni . As a gesture of my sincerest apologies and for the valuable lessons learned I will be sending you a replacement. Please can you private message me your address @Missoni , thank you.

Edited to remove personal information

 

[Missoni]

[

Your right, and I apologise for not contacting you @Missoni . As a gesture of my sincerest apologies and for the valuable lessons learned I will be sending you a replacement. Please can you private message me your address @Missoni , thank you.

Edited to remove personal information

Thanks @Fox for the apology, gesture and sentiment.

I appreciate you want to promote your business and protect your reputation but I think it is also important that forum members feel comfortable posting their experiences and opinions on a soap, even if it is not positive and particularly if a soap has a short shelf-life.

My original post was factual "Wickhams developed an "off" smell after a short period of time. Returned it, advised it would be tested; heard nothing back". I also note from previous threads that some of the ingredients in some Wickham soaps can cause oxidisation relatively quickly; I was not aware of this when purchasing.

That said, I appreciate your above post.

As mentioned in our email exchange when I declined your previous offer of a replacement soap, I require a soap with a shelf-life of at least 2 years, as I use soaps in rotation. I am also thinning my den at the moment, so no to your offer, but - thank you.

 

[Grainman]

That Groomroom Scottish Heather is a Absolute winner

That Groomroom Scottish Heather is a Absolute winner

Yes Kev I bought 2 last year and found they gave me a chin rash but don't think I was dialling them in properly. Since I bought a razorock beehive - a big yin - it has improved no end. Maybe I just couldn't get it right for the 2st year. Malt & Myrtle and Highland Bothy. They r excellent fragrances. I just hand face lathered my newest shave soap. Signature of Bolton - Quick lathering and whoa easy to make too much in just 30 seconds and 1 big 190 ml tub and a lemongrass 200ml tub for £8.50 - MAD

 

[Blademonkey]

Oatcake, very good indeed and OSP that is sadly no longer trading.

 

[Grainman]

Wickhams, now Signature. Watch that creamy lather easily whip up on your brush

 

[mbarno]

I enjoyed numerous versions of OSP, Wickham was nice with unusual scents, but I’m waiting for the tallow version before buying more. I liked the quality of P&B, and whilst very subjective, I didn’t enjoy the scents of Spitfire and Albion, so didn’t try any others.

 

[Stonec0ld]

I enjoyed numerous versions of OSP, Wickham was nice with unusual scents, but I’m waiting for the tallow version before buying more. I liked the quality of P&B, and whilst very subjective, I didn’t enjoy the scents of Spitfire and Albion, so didn’t try any others.

Spitfire is amazing!

 

[Will-J]

I have a couple of Wickham Soaps (Apricus and Shangri La) which I enjoyed a lot during the summer months with both smelling great and performance was top notch for me, will certainly be replacing them with more tubs of 1912 when they are gone.

Recently tried a couple of samples of P&B (Imperial Rum and Spitfire) and whilst I was personally not too sure on their scents they certainly performed very well and I am looking forward to seeing what their non-tallow base will be like.

I have the Castle Forbes Cedar/Sandalwood set, I personally really like the scent but don't find the performance of the soap to be as good as others (certainly not as good as some say it is anyway), and their cost is maybe a little bit steep too although you do get a fairly large tub (200g I think?).

I don't know who makes the ESC own branded creams but I do like their Bay Rum quite a lot, it is generally my travel cream of choice at the moment along with the matching balm.

 

[Hectorsgaf]

Yeah - I LOVE OSP Bay Rum.

+1

 

[ManicDee]

Of all the different UK artisan makers Wickham's is the best, for me!
I have almost all of Darron's soap and balm creations, except for Parma violets (never liked those as a kid) and unscented.
Whilst I like P&P soaps as well. There are only a few scents that I love, such as Coda and Black Star.
I would also say OSP creams and soaps are very good, if you can get your hands on them.

 

[Deleted member 1881]

FWIW and I don't want to defend Darron @Fox at all, my Magnum soap is now closing the second year of life.

I have lathered it with my stinky brushes, I let it dry for a day or so. No problems and the scent is even stronger. The surface of the soap is not exactly white, but kinda beige.

It smells exactly as the first day I got it, gives creamy super dense lather like a tallow based soap and Darron suggested me that I have to use it up soon (12 months after opening). This is not gonna happen and when the soap will be rotten I will post a pic here.

 

[les24preludes]

My rule of thumb calculation is that only around 1 in 5 of any soap maker's output is truly exceptional. For my nose for example, Cashmere from Wickham, Moroccan Sands from Nanny, 1805 from T&H, MWF. Just a few examples. Same for European soaps - Dolomiti and Felce from SV, Folgefonn and Havn from Fitjar, PdP 63 and so on. For the USA King of Oud etc. So it pays to cast the net as wide as possible and just include the choicest soaps.

 

[Bob]

Don't forget our friend BrianH and Signature Soaps

Superb soaps from Signature Soaps.

 

[Shaverrific666]

Another vote for Wickham Soap Co. as the best UK artisan. Fantastic scents and performance, clean ingredients list and a joy to use.