ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Jan 30, 2012 0:08:43 GMT -6
OK I admit it, I'm a frugal Maineiac. I like inexpensive stuff, but frugal doesn't just mean cheap, it's gotta work too. If it doesn't work it doesn't matter if it's free, it isn't frugal. I like Williams, also ARKO, and the soap I started on was VDH deluxe out of VanDerHagens kit. I still think VDH deluxe is one heck of a performing soap, operating way above it's pay grade. All three of these soaps are between $1-$2 per unit. It can be argued that VDH is more expensive because it doesn't last very long, but I think it still meets the criteria for being inexpensive and performing nicely. Bought in bulk from Amazon, ARKO has to be the best performance/cost ratio at normal pricing. It's a little over $1 per stick and just explodes great lather. Williams works but for me, and I use it, but I think it's the low performer of the 3. Moving up in price a little and moving up in performance from Williams and ARKO, as far as how it feels on the face are Bigelow and Kiss My Face. They are over $6 and under $8, and they can be found with special pricing lots of times, especially Bigelow at Bath and Body Works. Proraso makes Bigelow and that can be had even less expensively in bulk from www.italianbarber.com. If a soap is over $10 per unit, IMO it stops being an inexpensive soap. It could be argued that the expensive triple milled soaps are inexpensive per shave because the puck lasts so long. I won't argue that here. They would still be expensive for some folks. For the purposes of this thread it's the money that gets plunked down at the register before walking out of the store with it. OK, those are my high performing inexpensive soaps and creams. I know I didn't get them all by any means. What are yours?
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MrGuy
Gem Jr.
My mom says I'm cool!
Posts: 254
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Post by MrGuy on Jan 30, 2012 0:17:53 GMT -6
RazoRock has some great soft soaps under the $10 per unit line. Provence Sante refills are $10, and very nice. If we throw in sticks, there's La Toja, Valobra, Palmolive, Wilkinson Sword (although I still can't get used to the electric blue color), Speick. I'm sure I missed some too, but these are all top of the line products at bargain prices.
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Post by wchnu on Jan 30, 2012 0:30:12 GMT -6
I would throw in LEA and BEA sticks.. both dirt cheap and work well. I am just plain cheap. I like cheap creams also like the Derby line. Last time I looked they were cheaper then dirt.
Fuzzy
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Post by insomniac on Jan 30, 2012 0:30:29 GMT -6
I have to agree that Arko is the best deal in soaps. You can easily get 3 months out of a stick. The lather is superior to Williams or VdH IMHO. The only problem is the scent, but you can let the stick air out and then it's fine For creams, The Real Shaving Company is pretty inexpensive, and high quality. The scents are nothing to write home about (I think Moisturizing is the best), but they tend to run for $4 or so for 5 ounces. Considering the company makes creams for high-end British vendors, you are getting a bargain.
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SharpSpine
Master Shaver
My Flavor Sabre
Posts: 1,151
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Post by SharpSpine on Jan 30, 2012 14:04:17 GMT -6
A MWF refill can be had for $10. I also got my L'Occitane Cade puck for $10. As mentioned above Provence Sante is $10 but I got mine free with a coupon code so it was an even better value as this soap is great.
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Post by Trout Whisperer on Jan 31, 2012 15:51:08 GMT -6
Since Williams doesn't like me, I turned to Van der Hagen Deluxe as my everyday soap. It makes surprisingly good lather and is slick enough for the aggressive SE's I favor (and for straight-shaving, too). At $2 for 2.5 ounces, I'm happy with it.
Incidentally, the Kroger-type grocery store nearest me now stocks this soap where the Williams used to be.
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nate
SE Super Freak
Natenabler
Posts: 72
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Post by nate on Feb 3, 2012 12:16:53 GMT -6
RazoRock has some great soft soaps under the $10 per unit line. Provence Sante refills are $10, and very nice. If we throw in sticks, there's La Toja, Valobra, Palmolive, Wilkinson Sword (although I still can't get used to the electric blue color), Speick. I'm sure I missed some too, but these are all top of the line products at bargain prices. Yes I knew I was forgetting one. This one... and the Valobra really are two great soaps, broken record, broken record. But its true, and I would really consider picking these up next time you're shopping you know if you're in the mood. Its funny, I have both, both are top performers, but both fall at opposite ends of the spectrum for scent strength. Don't get me wrong I like both the scents, but by the time I have my Valobra lathered up, I have to take a pretty deep sniff to get the full-est possible effect. I should have started with this but, being no scent expert I would just call the Speick a spicy, complex lavender. Both always a pleasure to use but I'd be lying to you if I said that scent doesn't play at least a little role, we all know this right? So in terms of scent, because apparently I am focusing on that, I look more forward to the Speick.
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Post by bjorney on Feb 3, 2012 15:18:26 GMT -6
The Palmolive stick is very nice too. I got mine for $2.50 at Bestgroomingtools. It's a tallow-based soap like Arko, but the scent is nicer.
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Post by wchnu on Feb 3, 2012 15:21:14 GMT -6
The Palmolive stick is very nice too. I got mine for $2.50 at Bestgroomingtools. It's a tallow-based soap like Arko, but the scent is nicer. I think the palmolive is a palm oil soap isnt it? It does work great. I have a few of those.
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Post by bjorney on Feb 3, 2012 15:24:02 GMT -6
I have to agree that Arko is the best deal in soaps. You can easily get 3 months out of a stick. The lather is superior to Williams or VdH IMHO. The only problem is the scent, but you can let the stick air out and then it's fine +1 on the Arko love... Great lather! Unfortunately SWMBO dislikes the scent. That limits its usefulness for me She's much happier about the Palmolive scent. As for creams... I love the Godrej Menthol Mist and Deluxe Lather creams ($4 per tube in a local store) and the Lord Emofresh menthol that I found on-sale for $2.95 a tube.
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Post by bjorney on Feb 3, 2012 15:28:20 GMT -6
The Palmolive stick is very nice too. I got mine for $2.50 at Bestgroomingtools. It's a tallow-based soap like Arko, but the scent is nicer. I think the palmolive is a palm oil soap isnt it? It does work great. I have a few of those. Palm Oil and Tallow. See: www.bruceonshaving.com/2010/08/25/the-wonder-of-shaving-soap-sticks/For a great description of a number of sticks.
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Post by wchnu on Feb 3, 2012 17:16:20 GMT -6
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SharpSpine
Master Shaver
My Flavor Sabre
Posts: 1,151
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Post by SharpSpine on Feb 3, 2012 18:14:34 GMT -6
I can't believe I left this next one out. You can get a puck or stick of it for only a couple dollars... locally. Start getting it here in the states & it will run closer to $10. I'm speaking of a Dutch treat, De Vergulde Hand! I have a puck & 2 sticks of this stuff. I even have a puck of their new formulation, Extra fris (extra fresh), on the way to me as I type. So if you're ever in the Netherlands you should easily & cheaply be able to pick up some of this soap.
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