Mike's vs Cold River Soap Works

On my face, these are two of the top artisan soap makers! I get nothing but stellar shaves from all of the soaps that they offer. What is your opinion on these soaps, do you have a preference?

Can one of the moderators create a poll.

-both are stellar soaps
-I prefer Mike's
-I prefer Cold River Soap Works

Both are equally excellent soaps, but, for me, Cold River has better scents, along with a bit better post-shave.

Both are great soaps

Mike's

Can't help from a polling standpoint since I've yet to try CRSW but Mike's have quickly become my favorites after only recently trying them.  Great performers and incredible scents!

Wish Mike would ditch the tins.  JMO

Both are great soaps. Mike's is the better soap for me.

(05-01-2017, 01:45 PM)22bulldog Wrote: Wish Mike would ditch the tins.  JMO

Why?

(05-01-2017, 01:48 PM)TexBilly Wrote:

(05-01-2017, 01:45 PM)22bulldog Wrote: Wish Mike would ditch the tins.  JMO

Why?

Never been a fan (dents, rust, etc).  Would much rather see a clear plastic tub any day.

Also, in my experience, his labels fade something fierce.  I know ultimately its all about what is inside (vs outside), but little things like that can be what separate you from your top tier peers.

Mike's formula works better that CRSW V1 and V2 but Oliva gets my full praise as that works better for daily back to back shaves. I appreciate Larry listening to me when I messaged him to let him know my thoughts on the first two formulations. I think many people love the new Select formula and the higher tallow and minus the goats milk's may be better on my skin. 

Both soap makers offer great variety in scent. 

Mike's-Hungarian Lavender, Lemongrass and Eucalyptus, Orange, Black Pepper and Cedarwood 

CRSW-Bergamot and Bay, Vetiver Moderne, Colonia Mediterrania

Mikes Hungarian lavender is legendary in my den , so is CRSW sandalwood. I can't vote it's a tie for me.

(05-01-2017, 02:12 PM)ultra~nova Wrote: Mikes Hungarian lavender is legendary in my den , so is CRSW sandalwood. I can't vote it's a tie for me.

My favorite so far out of four scents, though all are really outstanding.

(05-01-2017, 02:14 PM)TexBilly Wrote:

(05-01-2017, 02:12 PM)ultra~nova Wrote: Mikes Hungarian lavender is legendary in my den , so is CRSW sandalwood. I can't vote it's a tie for me.

My favorite so far out of four scents, though all are really outstanding.

If you ever wanted to try something different , I used to cut a half bar of lime and a half bar of orange cedar black pepper and smash them into a tin so both equal a half tin with equal surface area. Loading up with this combo creates an awesome scent.


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They are both great soaps in terms of performance.  On the scent side, they each have certain scents I like and dislike.  There are no winners and losers here. Just two winners.

Both are great soaps, two of the best IMO. I own much more CRSW and find the latest formula to be an improvement over the V2 Select which I had on equal footing with Mikes. The new CRSW is really good and their scents are much more to my taste.

Cold River Soapworks and Mike's are among the big dogs in terms of top notch performance.  I personally give it to Cold River Soapworks as their tallow formula(s) have performed a little better for me plus their scents are awesome.  I also think that CRSW's original formula, 100% vegetal, rivals the other top performers in that category (i.e. Catie's Bubbles, PAA, etc).  In my opinion, Provence is an understated masterpiece.

Guess I need to get some CRSW! 

(05-01-2017, 03:25 PM)TexBilly Wrote: Guess I need to get some CRSW! 

The CRSW Sandalwood is outstanding.

(05-01-2017, 03:56 PM)TheLegalRazor Wrote:

(05-01-2017, 03:25 PM)TexBilly Wrote: Guess I need to get some CRSW! 

The CRSW Sandalwood is outstanding.

+1. CRSW Sandalwood is growing on me.


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I own more Mike's & CRSW than all my other soaps combined. I've often considered just selling/trading/PIF'ing everything else and staying with these two (plus my SV 70'th).

Both: deliver fantastic performance at a reasonable price-point.

CRSW: For the evolving formula and rotation of scents. I don't know how Larry does it, but he continues to find magic for each new formulation. The latest select variation is my favorite, but I'm consistently amazed by Olivia.

Mike's: no-frills packaging, and a stable assortment of scents. Sounds boring, right? Until you consider that he offers some fantastic scents (OC&BP, Lemongrass & eucalyptus, barbershop, coconut). Also, somehow - a puck of Mike's lasts forever... and I load this stuff like I'm trying to use it all in one shave! You can also buy Mike's in bars vs. tins, and press it into whatever container you like (bars are slightly cheaper). I get slightly better post-shave from Mike's.

The clear winner is the consumer. These are both fantastic soaps, and if the shavepocolypse was coming - I'd stock my bunker full of each.