Does being able to make "good" soap make you an artisan or does making good artisan SHAVING soap mean more than that? I have experienced many "good" quality soaps, but their usefulness is overcome by a poor and not very pleasing smell. Sometimes caused by the basic soap itself (with no fragrance added ) having an un-appealing odor. Also, there are soaps that are way over powering and are just not blended very well. Or, their fragrance changes for the worst with time. I think a good shaving soap is a total experience of BOTH smell and performance. After all, some old timers feel that just making soap itself is not a big deal, our parents and grandparents and millions of others did that during WWII as did many out west as early pioneers. Smell is a personal thing but there are basics the artisan must, in fact, take into account. The basic soap blend AND fragrance and the chemistry to make that fragrance consistent and pleasant over the long term. This is where many European competitors have experience and excel.
I recently was very impressed with a sample of Mikes Natural Hungarian Lavender. Very nice subtle high quality lavender smell and excellent shave. I just have to learn to perfect the lathering. But, even my first wimpy lather was excellent! I would put this, at least initially, in the artisan category. We will see what happens over time.
What are your thoughts on what is a soap artisan? Is it just making soap or does it have a greater meaning?
I recently was very impressed with a sample of Mikes Natural Hungarian Lavender. Very nice subtle high quality lavender smell and excellent shave. I just have to learn to perfect the lathering. But, even my first wimpy lather was excellent! I would put this, at least initially, in the artisan category. We will see what happens over time.
What are your thoughts on what is a soap artisan? Is it just making soap or does it have a greater meaning?