Soap monogamy

The realization had been building for a while that even though my collection of soaps and creams wasn't huge by some folks' standards, it was far bigger than I'd ever use in this lifetime.
I recently decided to settle on a single favorite line that makes me happy, and I am divesting myself of the others.
Yes, I'll be forgoing variety, which is something that I know many of us couldn't live without.
But there is a certain satisfaction in simplifying matters and knowing that the other good products will be moving on to other people who can enjoy them.

What say you all? What's the minimum range you could live with -- or would want to live with?

Two different questions.
I COULD live with one soap. In this case, it would be a toss up between Vintage Williams and/or Tallow AoS.
However, there are just too many great soaps out there and you're correct, the variety is important to me. Good luck in your downsizing, I'll be curious to know what soap you decide upon.

As Primo points out; I could live with just one soap (Mike's would be high on the list of canditates), but to me at least that would take away a lot of the enjoyment of the ritual of shaving. Howevcer; I can also see the temptation of downsizing and simplifying in that you can hone the shave process to an even more trance-like state of Zen... after all, some of us here is happy with just a single razor.

Whatever you decide to do, the important factor is what gives you the most enjoyment and the best experience. To me giving up variety would not be worth it.. to you it might well be.

I'm curious though; if you do settle down to just a single soap or line of soap... what will you do if a new soap hits the market and have everyone all abuzz?

I have settled on the Natural Ireland line, Primo.
I did so after following the maker's suggestion to use it for a month straight.
My skin feels great and I love the way they lather.
The subtlety of the scents is also pleasing. I don't want scent bombs.
There are three varieties.

And Hans, I've never been one to get caught up in the buzz about new products.
There are plenty of great soaps that I haven't tried that are on the market as it stands -- but at least for now and the foreseeable future, it just doesn't bother me.

(04-12-2018, 07:46 AM)Rory1262 Wrote: I have settled on the Natural Ireland line, Primo.
I did so after following the maker's suggestion to use it for a month straight.
My skin feels great and I love the way they lather.
The subtlety of the scents is also pleasing. I don't want scent bombs.
There are three varieties.

And Hans, I've never been one to get caught up in the buzz about new products.
There are plenty of great soaps that I haven't tried that are on the market as it stands -- but at least for now and the foreseeable future, it just doesn't bother me.

You, sir, are a stronger man than I. 

(04-12-2018, 07:45 AM)WegianWarrior Wrote: As Primo points out; I could live with just one soap (Mike's would be high on the list of canditates), but to me at least that would take away a lot of the enjoyment of the ritual of shaving. Howevcer; I can also see the temptation of downsizing and simplifying in that you can hone the shave process to an even more trance-like state of Zen... after all, some of us here is happy with just a single razor.

Whatever you decide to do, the important factor is what gives you the most enjoyment and the best experience. To me giving up variety would not be worth it.. to you it might well be.

I'm curious though; if you do settle down to just a single soap or line of soap... what will you do if a new soap hits the market and have everyone all abuzz?

Good choice Hans. 

I've thought about it. After all I shaved thru all the years 1966-2006 with only Edge, Barbasol, Gillette Rise, Noxzema was all their was. Oh, Williams, but that's crap...

The problem with artisan/non-mainstream soaps (and some mainstream soaps and creams from time to time) for a long term solution is almost no artisans have been around 5 years. Stirling and Mike's about 6, Mystic Waters longer but I'm not sure when Michelle began making shaving soap. The number of artisans who have folded up the tents are many.

If I had to pick one, it would be AdP or ABC cream, and either ABC hard soap or Czech and Speake or AoS tallow (both the latter Valobra-made).

One of the issues I have is that most scents that I come across I either get bored with or I get tired of after a while. Finding a scent that I could use every day forever is a bigger problem that finding a soap that I could live with forever.

Cheers, Steve

(04-12-2018, 09:16 AM)zipper Wrote: I've thought about it. After all I shaved thru all the years 1966-2006 with only Edge, Barbasol, Gillette Rise, Noxzema was all their was. Oh, Williams, but that's crap...

Wrong. Vintage Williams is one of the best classic soaps ever produced. Modern...I might agree with you.

I think that most of us go a little crazy at first because theres simply so many different soaps out there that we want to try everything and next thing you know, you have 30 soaps in your shave den.
Lately, Ive tried to cut down my amount of gear, simply because I dont need it.  When a puck of soap lasts 6-9 months, once you get more than 10, you reach the level of having a lifetime suppy.

Monogamy with a soap was the OP's original question.

[sigh]

It's like monogamy in a relationship.  You want to find that special "one", but you ask yourself, "Is this the apotheosis?  Perhaps there is another."  And so you explore other opportunities.

Deep down, I think most of us want to find that special one, but many cast a wandering eye.  Some resist; some succumb.  Some are unashamedly profligate.

Gun to the head, my "only one" line would be Barrister & Mann. But thankfully I don't have to make that choice.

There is something to be said for living a Spartan existence. I did it for a long time in college and I really enjoyed it.

I’ve tried my best to apply this to my shave den with limited results. I’ve been able to limit by brushes to 7 (one for each day of the week), 5 soaps, 5 creams and 3 razors.

If push came to shove, I can live with just MWF. I have soft water and it works brilliantly for me.

(04-12-2018, 09:19 AM)Steve56 Wrote: The problem with artisan/non-mainstream soaps (and some mainstream soaps and creams from time to time) for a long term solution is almost no artisans have been around 5 years...The number of artisans who have folded up the tents are many.

One of the issues I have is that most scents that I come across I either get bored with or I get tired of after a while. Finding a scent that I could use every day forever is a bigger problem that finding a soap that I could live with forever.

Cheers, Steve

The thought that my new everyday choice may not be around forever has crossed my mind. But I wish the operation only the best.
This reminds me of the thread about the whole Floid line being discontinued and whether that would prompt stockpiling.

As for scents, we really do live in a time where choices are almost endless.
Back in the days when it was just Williams, Colgate, et al., I wonder if people even thought about this issue and if they got jaded.

(04-12-2018, 11:45 AM)Steelman Wrote: I’ve tried my best to apply this to my shave den with limited results. I’ve been able to limit by brushes to 7 (one for each day of the week), 5 soaps, 5 creams and 3 razors.

I have mulled the possibility of extending this to razors, brushes, and aftershaves.
But I'm not quite ready to go there yet!

I could easily do it with AoS Ocean Kelp cream.

Here's another thought. I lived with one canned goo; one crappy boar brush and a Gillette cart of one, two, three...blades for many years. So, I've served my monogamous time already. I am now a shaving playboy. 

A while back, I would have been like St. Augustine as a young man: "Grant me chastity and continency, but not yet."

(04-12-2018, 12:23 PM)primotenore Wrote: Here's another thought. I lived with one canned goo; one crappy boar brush and a Gillette cart of one, two, three...blades for many years. So, I've served my monogamous time already. I am now a shaving playboy. 

A shaving playboy - that’s funny

(04-12-2018, 12:23 PM)primotenore Wrote: Here's another thought. I lived with one canned goo; one crappy boar brush and a Gillette cart of one, two, three...blades for many years. So, I've served my monogamous time already. I am now a shaving playboy. 

This