I'll give Occam's a try for sure. Maybe it's just me but I rate the HTGAM soap a long way ahead of Cella, any of the razorock soaps, TOBS and many others in my collection. Everytime I use one of the previous mentioned then go to the HTGAM soap I'm blown away.
I'll give the shaver heaven a go when the barbershop scent comes out.
Artisan made soaps are great. He's a clever soap maker Ole' Douglas and his soaps are well made (and marketed!).
You've only mentioned RR as the only other artisan soap maker, and Joe's soaps are modelled after the Italian style. TOBS is like fast food; easy to reach for, yet gives little return for the effort...
I say, try a wider range of artisan soaps...
IMHO the top artisan soaps are jostling for first position by splitting hairs.
> HTGAM/PAA has great scents and unique marketing (that's the area of Douglas' training).
> Occams uses the finest ingredients and quality expertise to create a unique quality shaving cream. (Darcy who makes Occams is from a family of a soap makers!)
> Mike's Natural soaps adds in a lot of quality ingredients designed to nourish and take care of your skin.
> Anthony of Shaver Heaven is the newest kid on the block and is muscling his way ahead through learning fast...
> Manuel of Jabonman uses quality ingredients that combine for a terrific all-round high-level soap.
> Will of Barrister & Mann meticulously crafts unique soaps to enhance his soaps.
I could go on...
Basically the artisans hand-craft in small batches soaps that are high quality and performance. The traditional mass-manufactured soaps are still great, but they are just different.
It's like beer. There will always be the big boys - some classics like Crown, and others like...well, Fosters... But there are the craft beers, the artisans, the new lads. They create something different and novel that stands out.
I'm a big fan of artisan soap makers from around the world (especially from Australia!), but I reckon there is also a reason why some of the shaving classics are still with us. There is always a spectrum when it comes to the big traditional soaps & creams... You're going to have reliable and safe go-to's that's have been used by barbers for years (Proraso, Cella, etc). But there's also the high level soaps from the traditional companies (eg DR Harris triple milled soaps, etc).
Crikey, time to get off the ole soapbox I reckon...
I've been working with Douglas Smythe and Christopher Cullen (both great gentlemen) in enhancing my product. I am still doing a lot of R&D to make it lather a lot quicker than the V1, and have switched my process as a result. Same ingredient list with just a few minor tweaks here and there. I'll let you guys know when it's finalised. I'm hoping to add more scents to the list soon, and will also be looking at sourcing local essential oils (from various farms, etc) vs. imported stuff (thanks to all your input and ideas).
