It has been quite some time since something new (and EXCITING) has come from the CBL Soap labs so I figured it was time for some updates. 2020 has been something of a u inquest year to say the least so I hope the fact that I haven’t done any major releases (big public ones anyway) is somewhat excusable. I did make a micro batch of an exciting ‘teaser’ release that was planned for Easter, 6 tubs of a premium quality vegan soap made to rival the best French classics we’ve come to know and love. The soaps were made in October of 2019 and aged/dried so by April they would be perfect...I just wasn’t feeling it and let the moment pass. Rather than sell as planned to recoup the R&D I have given a few to some well knows ladies & gents and may hold the others back for Zoom PIFs or ?. BUT what they were meant to tease is still part of the long term plan and since collaborating with Frank (ETHOS grooming essentials) may include an additional twist. More on that in a moment.
Many of you noticed there is another CBL Soap base in the works, some of you have even received a beta version of it. CBL Master Barber is a concept I have had in mind since he beginning, a soap that has the firmness of a puck (like the tonsorial soap base) but the performance characteristics of premium soap (like the premium soap base...or better!) without being too much like either one. I like a super (Uber) premium shave soap just as much as anyone else but I wanted the Master Barber soaps to be the ones that hit high market in EVERY category, including price and approachability. I still think scent is one of the key parts of the experience and the reason we buy so many different soaps (the reason YOU have bought more than one of my soaps and made it possible to explore and invest in new soaps and scents.). I had intended to push this base out as a new part of the brand by now but with the added financial stress everyone is experiencing I didn’t want to give anyone a reason to spend more. My wife isn’t happy about the pile of raw materials (that will slowly become stacks of scented soaps) that won’t be listed for sale until I feel better about separating YOU from your money but that’s just the way it goes my friends.
Now, on to how I plan to separate you from your money!
I have the Master Barber soaps, there may be a few slightly different versions of the base and some scents that are strictly limited edition (for reasons that will be obvious or explained at the time) but my basic intentions are to cut the pucks so they are in the 3 ounce range (2.5-3.5) and I should be able to keep them at or under $12 regardless of the scents being used. I have a killer bay rum (as @mrdoug) that is expensive as all get out but I’ve been buying the oil a little at a time since October anytime I can get it on sale). This one has been going out as samples and I still have some samples that will keep going out.
I have already done a collaboration with frank @Dragonsbeard where I made a modified version of the CBL premium soap base using the ETHOS Grooming Essentials EOS complex and Camels milk (seriously, who thinks of using camels milk? ...who knows WHY to use camels milk? Frank does?) and I made some other modifications based on conversation Frank and I had. This collaboration was meant to help launch Franks ETHOS Grooming Essentials brand and the soap is part of a soap&splash combo that are amazing together (the splash is one of Franks signature items scented with my lime fragrance blend). This collaboration occurred at a time when the world was falling apart (and Frank stopped what he was doing to start making a tanker truck full of hand sanitizer for frontline workers), and involved a lot of time and $$ from both sides to make happen but in the end I think it did exactly what Frank hoped it would, show a little brotherhood amongst the soap making community.
I wish I could tell you more about the last two things I have rolling around in my head waiting to hit the shelves but they are secrets. And they are getting media little bit because of the conversation and collaboration with Frank. I had a couple things planned that come a little close to stepping on Franks toes so I decided to a little so if we go ahead with things we discussed, his things, my things and our things are all WONDERFUL and independent things.
Ok. One little hint about what’s up next (or at least coming soon). Screaming Dolphin Butts
oh yeah, and I have some brushes and a few Kai clones for sale on my website.
Many of you noticed there is another CBL Soap base in the works, some of you have even received a beta version of it. CBL Master Barber is a concept I have had in mind since he beginning, a soap that has the firmness of a puck (like the tonsorial soap base) but the performance characteristics of premium soap (like the premium soap base...or better!) without being too much like either one. I like a super (Uber) premium shave soap just as much as anyone else but I wanted the Master Barber soaps to be the ones that hit high market in EVERY category, including price and approachability. I still think scent is one of the key parts of the experience and the reason we buy so many different soaps (the reason YOU have bought more than one of my soaps and made it possible to explore and invest in new soaps and scents.). I had intended to push this base out as a new part of the brand by now but with the added financial stress everyone is experiencing I didn’t want to give anyone a reason to spend more. My wife isn’t happy about the pile of raw materials (that will slowly become stacks of scented soaps) that won’t be listed for sale until I feel better about separating YOU from your money but that’s just the way it goes my friends.
Now, on to how I plan to separate you from your money!
I have the Master Barber soaps, there may be a few slightly different versions of the base and some scents that are strictly limited edition (for reasons that will be obvious or explained at the time) but my basic intentions are to cut the pucks so they are in the 3 ounce range (2.5-3.5) and I should be able to keep them at or under $12 regardless of the scents being used. I have a killer bay rum (as @mrdoug) that is expensive as all get out but I’ve been buying the oil a little at a time since October anytime I can get it on sale). This one has been going out as samples and I still have some samples that will keep going out.
I have already done a collaboration with frank @Dragonsbeard where I made a modified version of the CBL premium soap base using the ETHOS Grooming Essentials EOS complex and Camels milk (seriously, who thinks of using camels milk? ...who knows WHY to use camels milk? Frank does?) and I made some other modifications based on conversation Frank and I had. This collaboration was meant to help launch Franks ETHOS Grooming Essentials brand and the soap is part of a soap&splash combo that are amazing together (the splash is one of Franks signature items scented with my lime fragrance blend). This collaboration occurred at a time when the world was falling apart (and Frank stopped what he was doing to start making a tanker truck full of hand sanitizer for frontline workers), and involved a lot of time and $$ from both sides to make happen but in the end I think it did exactly what Frank hoped it would, show a little brotherhood amongst the soap making community.
I wish I could tell you more about the last two things I have rolling around in my head waiting to hit the shelves but they are secrets. And they are getting media little bit because of the conversation and collaboration with Frank. I had a couple things planned that come a little close to stepping on Franks toes so I decided to a little so if we go ahead with things we discussed, his things, my things and our things are all WONDERFUL and independent things.
Ok. One little hint about what’s up next (or at least coming soon). Screaming Dolphin Butts
oh yeah, and I have some brushes and a few Kai clones for sale on my website.
Thanks Chris, there's 1 soap I was going to order so let me order that and pay shipping and then hold and send with whatever when you want. Does that work ?
or just dump the whole drawer in a shipping box and I'll sort it for you 
