After shaving with my puck of Ogallala Bay Rum, Limes and Peppercorns this morning, I realized that I have been using a lot of "artisan" shave soaps lately (I prefer to call them independent soaps, as artisan has the wrong feel for me). I have come to think of indie soaps as being a better deal than many of the corporate offerings. They tend to come in a wide range of scents with as many different formulations as there are soap makers. Many of these independent soap makers are so good at their jobs that it can be easy to forget that they are indeed non corporate entities. Some of the best indie soap folks are based right here in the US, providing even more of a local sort of feel to a hand crafted product and making shipping much cheaper and quicker than if they had to be imported.
I've made a small list of the US made indie shave soaps that I have come across and have either really enjoyed using or have heard excellent things about. I'd like to hear what other folks have to say about these soaps and on the subject in general. Who are your favorite independent shave soap makers? Who have I left out?
My List-O-Indiesoaps:
--Em's Place http://www.shaveplace.com/index.asp
(These soaps are often held up as an excellent example of well made, but overlooked indie soaps.)
--Ginger's Garden http://gingersgarden.com/
(A wide variety of glycerin and tallow soaps with an absolutely HUGE scent list and great prices.)
--Green Mountain Soaps http://www.gmsoap.com/
(I have heard some high praise for these uniquely shaped soaps, but they have a minimum order of $24, so I have yet to try them out.)
--Honeybee Spa Soaps http://www.honeybeesoaps.net/
(I have heard nothing but good things about these soaps, they come in a wide variety of scents and are well priced.)
--Kell's Original http://kellsoriginal.com/main.sc
(I absolutely LOVE their Ultra Aloe blend soaps, they lather well and have a lasting scent)
--Mama Bear Soaps http://mamabearssoaps.com/
(I'm a big fan of their many scents, once you get the water/soap ratio down these soaps are great.)
--Mike's Natural Soaps http://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/
(Strong scents, a huge amount of soap for the money, and a tallow base all combine to make these one of the more popular indie soaps.)
--Mystic Water Soaps http://www.mystic4men.com/
(Held in a similarly high regard as Mike's, these can be difficult to get the right water/soap ratio.)
--Ogallala http://www.ogallalabayrum.mybigcommerce.com/
(Amazing lather, strong scents, low costs...what's not to like? They can cause some burn, but once you get used to it these soaps rock.)
--Prairie Creations http://prairie-creations.com/shop/index.php?cPath=40
(I have heard excellent things about their products, but also just as many complaints about the shipping delays, especially with the custom orders. I would still be willing to give them a try based purely on the praise that they receive.)
--Pyrate Cove Soapworks http://www.pyratecovesoapworks.com/
(LOW cost, excellent customer service, fast lather, and great scents make these soaps a worthy choice. Here is their mobile site, if the main one does not work well on your device: http://www.pyratecovesoapworks.com/index3.htm )
--QED http://www.qedusa.com/
(An often praised line of products with a helpful and courteous proprietor.)
--Queen Charlotte Soap http://www.queencharlottesoaps.com/
(One of the more expensive indie soaps, these get a lot of praise not only for their quality, but also for their generous sample sizes.)
--Saint Charles Soaps http://www.saintcharlesshave.com/
(Well priced interesting indie soaps with a lot of variety and quality packaging.)
Sent from my Transformer using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2
I've made a small list of the US made indie shave soaps that I have come across and have either really enjoyed using or have heard excellent things about. I'd like to hear what other folks have to say about these soaps and on the subject in general. Who are your favorite independent shave soap makers? Who have I left out?
My List-O-Indiesoaps:
--Em's Place http://www.shaveplace.com/index.asp
(These soaps are often held up as an excellent example of well made, but overlooked indie soaps.)
--Ginger's Garden http://gingersgarden.com/
(A wide variety of glycerin and tallow soaps with an absolutely HUGE scent list and great prices.)
--Green Mountain Soaps http://www.gmsoap.com/
(I have heard some high praise for these uniquely shaped soaps, but they have a minimum order of $24, so I have yet to try them out.)
--Honeybee Spa Soaps http://www.honeybeesoaps.net/
(I have heard nothing but good things about these soaps, they come in a wide variety of scents and are well priced.)
--Kell's Original http://kellsoriginal.com/main.sc
(I absolutely LOVE their Ultra Aloe blend soaps, they lather well and have a lasting scent)
--Mama Bear Soaps http://mamabearssoaps.com/
(I'm a big fan of their many scents, once you get the water/soap ratio down these soaps are great.)
--Mike's Natural Soaps http://www.mikesnaturalsoaps.com/
(Strong scents, a huge amount of soap for the money, and a tallow base all combine to make these one of the more popular indie soaps.)
--Mystic Water Soaps http://www.mystic4men.com/
(Held in a similarly high regard as Mike's, these can be difficult to get the right water/soap ratio.)
--Ogallala http://www.ogallalabayrum.mybigcommerce.com/
(Amazing lather, strong scents, low costs...what's not to like? They can cause some burn, but once you get used to it these soaps rock.)
--Prairie Creations http://prairie-creations.com/shop/index.php?cPath=40
(I have heard excellent things about their products, but also just as many complaints about the shipping delays, especially with the custom orders. I would still be willing to give them a try based purely on the praise that they receive.)
--Pyrate Cove Soapworks http://www.pyratecovesoapworks.com/
(LOW cost, excellent customer service, fast lather, and great scents make these soaps a worthy choice. Here is their mobile site, if the main one does not work well on your device: http://www.pyratecovesoapworks.com/index3.htm )
--QED http://www.qedusa.com/
(An often praised line of products with a helpful and courteous proprietor.)
--Queen Charlotte Soap http://www.queencharlottesoaps.com/
(One of the more expensive indie soaps, these get a lot of praise not only for their quality, but also for their generous sample sizes.)
--Saint Charles Soaps http://www.saintcharlesshave.com/
(Well priced interesting indie soaps with a lot of variety and quality packaging.)
Sent from my Transformer using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2