Thread: Review of Penhaligon's English Fern Shave Soap

Penhaligon's English Fern Shave Soap is an excellent product in every way.

The smell is pleasant. A light citrus smell that is not too intense.

The lather is amazing. it is very full yet amazingly light. When I would wipe the soap off my razor I could swear I heard all the air pressing out of it! I built the lather using a bowl. I loaded the brush with about 20 circles and a three finger grip. I did have to reload after my first pass but I had plenty left for passes two and three. I could likely have a fourth or fifth pass with what was left in the bowl. The lather build's easily as well. It did not take me as long to build it as it does when I use TOBS or T&H.

The cushion is second to none. The razor glides across your face without any problems and there were no instances of razor burn anywhere on my face or neck.

The price is pretty steep. I did get the soap in the wooden dish but it cost around $60.00USD from Straight Razor Designs. I would say that if you can afford this product it is worth the money.

I used Mitchell's Wool Fat for my shave previous to this one and I would say that the Penhaligon's gives MWF a run for it's money. It might even be better. I'll caveat this comment by saying that I've only used each of these products once so I cannot really say which is better at this point. I can say that both are awesome.

I hope you all get the chance to enjoy this wonderful soap.

Stultsy

If you think it's good now you should have tried it before Penhaligon's reformulated it. The tallow formula was absolutely one of the most top notch performers of all time IMHO. I have not tried the current vegetable based formulation and therefore cannot comment directly on it. Though I have noticed that every vegetable reformulation heretofore has produced an inferior version of the product in the minds of most who have tried both. It seems very few folks think the versions are equal. As always, ymmv.

Best Regards,
EL