ShadowsDad
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"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
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Post by ShadowsDad on Mar 11, 2012 23:14:23 GMT -6
I don't know how many folks know this, but p.160 has been discontinued. It was made by an old gent and the company that sold it only distributed it; they never manufactured it. The gent making it wanted to retire and wanted to sell the process, with no takers. So he closed up shop and it'll never be made again. For those who don't know, it's a soft Italian soap, smells of almonds and is the very best SIS that I know of. It's a tallow base, smells good enough to eat, is fantastic on the face, and with even the smallest effort lathers incredibly. Joe at Italian Barber carries it, and he's scouring the planet buying it from wherever he can find it. The price is going up as it becomes harder to find. OK, now I discussed storing it with Joe, because I like it and want a supply for myself. If it's kept in the dark and cool, it'll keep for many years according to Joe and another gent on another forum who is the resident expert on that particular forum. Cool just means comfortable room temperature. A refrigerator would also work I assume, and yes, the light does go out when the door is closed. So anyone wanting a kilo block of this fantastic soap, get it while you can. BTW, I get 6 XS size lidded food storage bowls from one kilo block. They aren't fancy but they sure do work great for soaps. (Thanks to Hoosier Trooper for that tip) That means one of those bowls costs $8.33 and one bowl lasts an incredibly long time even when used every day. It's very cost effective for such a high quality soap. I just thought I'd bring it your attention so that those who want some have an opportunity to obtain some. No, I'm not sharing my kilo, so don't ask. Sorry. I don't work for Italian Barber, and get no consideration from Joe in any form.
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SharpSpine
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Post by SharpSpine on Mar 12, 2012 23:39:07 GMT -6
Very nice information. I've only heard great things about this sIs but I can't recall what scent it has? Is it the traditional Italian almond/cherry scent like Cella?
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ShadowsDad
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"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
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Post by ShadowsDad on Mar 13, 2012 1:12:48 GMT -6
Brian, I got some Cella in today and yes I can detect almond, but it's mixed in with... well, I liken it to the Hai Karate of Italian almond scented shave soaps. It's just a cheap, cloying scent IMO. P.160 is a much more refined almond scent and just has the most "good stuff" in it IMO for shaving performance. It's just better than any other almond scented soap I've ever used. I've only used 5 so far, but Joe at Italian Barber agrees with me on that. It's really nice stuff. You know how you described my BR as being a mature scent (or some such)? Well, P.160 is that, and Cella is the punk scent. BTW, while I have handlathered Cella I haven't shaved with it yet (1 of the 5). While I don't like the scent I still intend to shave with it to give it the full benefit of the doubt. Frankly, it felt good in the hand. But that scent... Sometimes less is more, especially with scent, and this for me is definitely too much so far; both out of the package and in test lather. When I put it into use I'll keep in mind almond/cherry and see if that does it for me. I really want it to do well. I'll use it in the morning and report back. Vitos is the closest to P.160 that I've used, but P.160 is better than Vitos IMO. They're close, but p.160 has more of every quality; lubricity, density, scent, skin care. GFT is also in there, but I'd need to retest it (can do) to make it definitive. (I have so much testing to do I'm going nuts trying to get it all in . I'd almost like to be able to shave 3x a day, almost. Hey, I enjoy the shave, but 3x a day would be come a PITA pretty quick, but you know what I mean.)
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Mar 17, 2012 10:40:05 GMT -6
OK, so I've been testing SIS, and Brian asked me about it/them (see above).
Today I deliberately used Vitos, not only because I'm trying to use it up, but because I wanted to use it while the Cella was fresh in my mind. I wanted to double check my suspicion.
When I used Cella I got the distinct impression that it was achieving it's lather through chemical means and that there was a lack of fat, tallow, whatever in the mix that is good for the skin.
Todays use of Vitos absolutely nailed it. Vitos far and away has more of the good stuff, no doubt at all. And as good as Vitos is compared to Cella, P.160 is compared to Vitos.
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RocketMan
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Post by RocketMan on Apr 5, 2012 18:31:09 GMT -6
Dopey Question Alert!!!How do you use this soap P160?? I am very fortunate to have rcvd a sample of this soap from ShadowsDad (yeah SD!!!) but am not sure what it is!! I have used creams and hard pucks but not this type of almost waxy stuff!!! I tried to put a pea size piece, like I do with creams, and then prep it in a bowl. It didn't work too good. I was thinking there should be more cream. Then at the end, a chunk materialized from deep within the brush - not dissolved, just starin me down! I realized after trying it out ( and the cream I did manage to make wasn't bad - wonderful scent really!! That is what I was curious to know about was the scent) that I haven't used this kind of a soap before. What is usually done with it??
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ShadowsDad
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"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 5, 2012 20:42:48 GMT -6
Yes, it's a soft soap and not a cream- it's like plumbers putty in consistency. I take 150-200 grams and pack it into a lidded xs size ziploc food bowl from the supermarket. Then I load my brush from that bowl as though it was a hard soap. But you can't do that. You'll need to get creative and do things I never had to do or even contemplete until now.
You might put a pea size in a bowl and liquify it (not too much water) and load your slightly damp brush from that. It liquifies pretty easily since it's mostly there already. If you have any time before your shave, maybe the night before(?), just put the soap and water together and I bet you won't need to do anything come time for the morning shave. Adjust my suggested timing for when you actually shave.
BTW a pea is a good starting point, but I bet it uses less than that. I'll be willing to bet that if you lather from a bowl your bowl will run over before you have it fully hydrated.
Good luck!
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 11, 2012 23:20:36 GMT -6
Rocketman, did you ever figure out how to use it?
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RocketMan
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Post by RocketMan on Apr 13, 2012 8:15:05 GMT -6
Rocketman, did you ever figure out how to use it? I have had one successful use with it as most days I have been working and haven't had the time for experimenting. I did pretty much what you suggested. I took a piece (pea size again though, I am like an old record!) and soaked it in very hot water in my brush bowl. I used a wooden stir stick and broke it up, sort of stirred it into the water after it had sat for maybe ten minutes or so. That seemed to be all the time it needed. It worked pretty darn good!! The lather absolutely lathered up quite nicely this time around. I found it to be a lovely creamy texture, reminiscent of a rich meringue off a pie. There is a Canadian cream, JM Frasiers, that is similar in the 'feel' of the soap and I like that one very much. The almond scent does shift/morph as it is mixed up and it isn't quite what it was before prep. - but still pretty nice. I have to get more opportunity to use this stuff - in fact, as I am sitting here first thing in the morning having coffee (one of the few chances lately to get near the comp) I figure soon as I finish the reply I am going to go stick a blob in some hot water and let it sit and give it another try. I really did find the cream excellent. I need more time to figure my response to the scent. Overall - pretty pleased. I have been reading other posts that you have about soaps SD and you seem like quite the experimenter with all sorts of stuff you are trying!! Good job! And, thnx for putting up with me badgering you for a wee sample of this stuff. It is ideal for me to figure out whether to stock the shelves or not! OK - off to prep a chunk!
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 13, 2012 17:23:57 GMT -6
Despite my gruff demeanor I'm a pushover. Glad to have helped.
If you hadn't noticed, I absolutely love p.160. But I have to mention that while I'll mourn it's passing, and when I have no more p.160, Vitos Red is pretty close. But P.160 has no equal right now. Maybe someone will accept the thrown gauntlet? Time will tell.
I should open the p.160 offer to other boards to see if it'll happen. I wanted to keep it simple by just offering it here.
BTW, yes, this year appears to be soap year for me. I expected it because I was going to make it happen. But, in addition, I'm handing out lots of samples and at least one gent responded by sending me soap. That's cool. I'm trying stuff that I never would have tried on my dime and it's pretty decent stuff. I'm particularly enamored with Mikes Natural Soap right now, and it's 120+ year regression into the past. It sort of reminds me of a certain Bay Rum maker that I'm aware of.
I've said it before and I state it here... We're in the golden age of blade shaving right now. Look around, you'll be able to tell your children that you lived it.
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RocketMan
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Post by RocketMan on Apr 14, 2012 20:29:10 GMT -6
Despite my gruff demeanor I'm a pushover. Glad to have helped. If you hadn't noticed, I absolutely love p.160. But I have to mention that while I'll mourn it's passing, and when I have no more p.160, Vitos Red is pretty close. But P.160 has no equal right now. Maybe someone will accept the thrown gauntlet? Time will tell. I should open the p.160 offer to other boards to see if it'll happen. I wanted to keep it simple by just offering it here. BTW, yes, this year appears to be soap year for me. I expected it because I was going to make it happen. But, in addition, I'm handing out lots of samples and at least one gent responded by sending me soap. That's cool. I'm trying stuff that I never would have tried on my dime and it's pretty decent stuff. I'm particularly enamored with Mikes Natural Soap right now, and it's 120+ year regression into the past. It sort of reminds me of a certain Bay Rum maker that I'm aware of. I've said it before and I state it here... We're in the golden age of blade shaving right now. Look around, you'll be able to tell your children that you lived it. I love this stuff!! Planning out a good soap year. Very good idea! Not in a bit for me, but perhaps when I hit the next decade I'll celebrate with a schwack of new products. Golden Age indeed!!! VIVA THE AGE OF THE SHAVE!!!
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 21, 2012 12:03:40 GMT -6
About the purchase of a kilo of P.160 and splitting it into containers...
Italian Barber is already doing that, so it was a ridiculous idea.
So I'm withdrawing it. His price is probably better than I could do it for.
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RocketMan
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Post by RocketMan on Apr 21, 2012 12:08:08 GMT -6
About the purchase of a kilo of P.160 and splitting it into containers... Italian Barber is already doing that, so it was a ridiculous idea. So I'm withdrawing it. His price is probably better than I could do it for. Not so ridiculous at all. Nice soap. You were willing to help out others purchase a good size container of a lovely soap. Good on ya SD. Well, at least we all know that you will NEVER run out of personal stock!! : )
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Post by coolbus18 on Oct 23, 2013 16:15:43 GMT -6
P-160 lover here. Yes, I'm still in mourning over the loss of this fine soap. I have one container(What Joe sold)left.The croap that has taken its place for me is PannaCrema and also Joes' RR, R-160.Marvelous stuff . it was nice to read about the share.
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ShadowsDad
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None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
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Post by ShadowsDad on Oct 23, 2013 22:56:10 GMT -6
Yes, R-160 is a decent alternative. Joe may also have an even better alternative soon. I can't/won't say more. He might already have done it; I just don't know.
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Post by coolbus18 on Oct 26, 2013 16:31:22 GMT -6
Hi Brian, I'm sure he will. I've liked all RR products I've tried.
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