Sweet! Thanks. I hadn’t seen that yet.
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Grooming Dept Soap release...
- Thread starter GlazedBoker
- Start date
Bogeyman
Shave Member
My exact experiences, and the current tub I have of After The Fire smells disgusting to boot. Smells like burnt ashes. Yuck. As per performance, there are several better IMO. I can only add the this company and their admirers have done a superb job of demonstrating the existence of confirmation bias "collusion".
Just be glad your tub wasn't named After the Outhouse!My exact experiences, and the current tub I have of After The Fire smells disgusting to boot. Smells like burnt ashes. Yuck. As per performance, there are several better IMO. I can only add the this company and their admirers have done a superb job of demonstrating the existence of confirmation bias "collusion".
The weird thing is I really like this soap and the scent as well though the scent is far from my favorite. I think the very least thing about Grooming Dept is the scents. OTHOH, I will confirm that Mohammad has done a superb job of demonstrating his skill at creating bases, something I very much admire, thereby confirming my bias and leading, I am sure, to further collusion with the other fanbois. I am stricken and just cannot help myself.
He has a big release scheduled for April 29th: "I’ve postponed the big release to April 29th, 11:00AM PDT. I need to make sure everything is ready to ship immediately."
Per a prior communication Angel is included in this big release previously set for April 17th:
"I’m working on a massive release, it should be available around April 17th. Here are the soaps which will be launched. I hope you like them
Pax (Primus tallow)
Angel (lamb tallow)
Yuzu Mandarin (Primus Tallow, lots of real Yuzu EO from Japan is in the scent)
Diamond Dust (Tallow + Duck)
Cedarwood & Lemon (Janus Tallow)
Lavender & Lime (Janus Tallow)
Orange & Rosemary (Janus Tallow )
Geranium And Palmarosa (Janus Tallow)
Conca Di Oro - Janus Vegan
Vetiver Nobile - Janus Vegan
Credence (tallow & duck)
Ambrosia (tallow & duck)
Jasmine & Civet (tallow & duck)"
I have bolded the Janus Tallow soaps as these are simplified scents using essential oils, resins and absolutes--these are the ones I would be interested in. I think that this is Mohammad's way of addressing the complaints regarding the complexity and artificiality of his scents. He states:
"Janus
This base will be available in two versions: beef+lamb tallows and a vegan base. It will exclusively feature scents that are only made from essential oils, absolutes and natural resins. The scents are milder and somewhat traditional compared to my other scents. "
I never had a complaint about the performance, but I never found any of the bases to be super stats either. Good to great but not great to superior.
The scents are a bit out there BUT the strength and prominence is commendable, I would rather buy a strongly scented soap than a mildly scented even when the scent isn’t a home run for me. Still, I guess if I got too many underwhelming scents I would just move on.
I’ve read some bloggers who describe the use of different tallows as being gimmicky ...they are dead wrong (and those who steadfastly hold that view and take every opportunity to proclaim their opinion as fact loose my viewership). Whether it’s duck, lamb or wagyu, the result is a creamier more unctuous lather...love it or hate it, the different fatty acid profile in “exotic” tallow makes a different product. Mohamed Should get credit for making soaps with unique tallow choices and strong scents. I’m not plugged in enough to catch limited availability releases so I usually just pass them by.
The scents are a bit out there BUT the strength and prominence is commendable, I would rather buy a strongly scented soap than a mildly scented even when the scent isn’t a home run for me. Still, I guess if I got too many underwhelming scents I would just move on.
I’ve read some bloggers who describe the use of different tallows as being gimmicky ...they are dead wrong (and those who steadfastly hold that view and take every opportunity to proclaim their opinion as fact loose my viewership). Whether it’s duck, lamb or wagyu, the result is a creamier more unctuous lather...love it or hate it, the different fatty acid profile in “exotic” tallow makes a different product. Mohamed Should get credit for making soaps with unique tallow choices and strong scents. I’m not plugged in enough to catch limited availability releases so I usually just pass them by.
I agree that different tallow gives very different results from soaps. Look at who we say are the top tallow soap artisans lately. CBL, LNHC, A&E, DG Icarus, all 4 have either “exotic” or a combination of tallow that gives them just absolutely fantastic properties of face feel, protection, and fantastic post shave. I can say that I have been spoiled by artisans and I am much much more picky about my soap purchasing. I will buy non elite soaps though I just don’t expect them to be elite level at the time of purchase.
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
^^^^THIS^^^^
My exact experiences, and the current tub I have of After The Fire smells disgusting to boot. Smells like burnt ashes. Yuck. As per performance, there are several better IMO. I can only add the this company and their admirers have done a superb job of demonstrating the existence of confirmation bias "collusion".
Lucky for us “Bandwagon riders” you can’t prove a lick to the contrary. Whether in the court of law or public opinion, you’re just “shooting into the wind” as they say. So, I will indulge myself in my favorite “biased collusion” sundries and toiletries for Gentlemen without the slightest hint of resentment or care in the world and more importantly, not giving a rats behind to those that think otherwise. Shave on my friend, shave on ....
Barbershop. Just an excellent performer on its first outing. The lather is rich and dense that is equal to GD’s Tallow based soaps. Scent is a bit citrus with Bergamot, Lemon and some Grapefruit front and center. Has a bit of woods and a light flower note that all blends in well.
Performance is well, top notch. I have a few of his Vegan soap bases such as Magnolia, Basique and Voyage and have enjoyed the performance on all three. This one here though beats them all, hands down. Like I mentioned before, it’s just as rich and thick as GD’s Tallow offerings and loves H2O just the same. Post so far is on par with the best I’ve ever experienced, Tallow or Vegan whether it be GD’s own or someone else’s. How it was done I have no idea and seriously can care less. It is just an excellent soap that not only reaches the bar, it surpasses it and sets a new standard on what a Vegan soap couldn’t do. Yes, Vegan is not supposed to be equal to a great Tallow soap. At least that’s what I thought. Barbershop Vegan in Janus formula has made me rethink the Tallow vs Vegan debate all over again. Yes, that good......
Performance is well, top notch. I have a few of his Vegan soap bases such as Magnolia, Basique and Voyage and have enjoyed the performance on all three. This one here though beats them all, hands down. Like I mentioned before, it’s just as rich and thick as GD’s Tallow offerings and loves H2O just the same. Post so far is on par with the best I’ve ever experienced, Tallow or Vegan whether it be GD’s own or someone else’s. How it was done I have no idea and seriously can care less. It is just an excellent soap that not only reaches the bar, it surpasses it and sets a new standard on what a Vegan soap couldn’t do. Yes, Vegan is not supposed to be equal to a great Tallow soap. At least that’s what I thought. Barbershop Vegan in Janus formula has made me rethink the Tallow vs Vegan debate all over again. Yes, that good......
Bogeyman
Shave Member
I knoweth not as I am not an organic chemist (nor a blogger). However, I have been using my After The Fire more here & there and I just don't get the slickness that I get from even a lowly proletariat Palmolive shave stick. As well, Valobra buries it in this regard. I honestly think many are disregarding this due to their "swooning" over the post shave feel which is all the rage, despite being able to duplicate it with a name brand moisturizer. Lisa's Artisan is a far better shave soap IMO if you want better slickness and a post shave feel is important to you. Sorry guys, but to me GD is a "McNothing" burger over hyped.
I purchased a lot of GD products in the last year. The performance is great, no question about that, but the Customer Service (at least for me) was embarrassingly bad. It’s good soap, but not worth the hassle. Lots of cheaper, better soaps out there... and without the poor service and bizarre business model/practices.
Yes indeed. I personally think the soaps are great, the scents are mediocre and the business model inexplicable. The Pre-Shave Moisturizer is incredible.
For those who may be interested, today (5/3) there was a drop of several soaps on the GD website including one Janus vegan and several duck fat (mallard base) soaps.
I think it is upcoming whenever Mohammad gets his Stuff together.
Also just announced is a limited edition collaboration with Maol Grooming, Frankinlime in the Donkey base. I really like the Maol Grooming AS product of this name. I may pick up a tub if I get the opportunity though I certainly won't stress about it. I am done trying to time up purchases and releases of GD products--way too aggravating.
A soap drop is ongoing as of now 2:30 PM Eastern. Includes the collaboration with Maol Grooming Frankinlime which I ordered.
I don't know how to judge that exactly. WCS always appears to be sold out so I suspect not well.
Techichi
0
I grabbed that one as well.
