Dr Harris shaving soap

gthe · Thursday January 12, 2023

I am wondering what is your opinion about dr. harris pucks. Never tried one and i was wondering how the old school uk soaps compare with nowadays artisan or with the classic MWF.

I like the new softer soaps with their fancy tubs, artworks and easiness to lather, but i fancy to use old school harder soaps as well like tabac, mwf.
I also enjoy the classic scents of the TOBS creams (i have mr taylor, sandalwood, peppermint) more than the artisan scents to be honest so i was wondering if i am missing something without trying one of these uk soaps.

NeilJ · Thursday January 12, 2023

I really like DR Harris hard soaps, they provide a good stable lather and decent slickness. Post shave is the area where perhaps the artisans have the edge but it’s by no means poor. My favourite scents are Windsor, Arlington and Marlborough. I think MWF is slicker and better post shave but DR Harris is easier to lather. Both are top soaps in my opinion.

Gairdner · Thursday January 12, 2023

NeilJ said:
I really like DR Harris hard soaps, they provide a good stable lather and decent slickness. Post shave is the area where perhaps the artisans have the edge but it’s by no means poor. My favourite scents are Windsor, Arlington and Marlborough. I think MWF is slicker and better post shave but DR Harris is easier to lather. Both are top soaps in my opinion.

This. Almost word for word too. Especially Windsor. I do love a drop of that pop.

pjgh · Thursday January 12, 2023

Likewise ...

I've got a bowl of Arlington and find it a really good soap. Not the greatest. Not the best. Really good! It is true to the old-school style of soap, having quite a vintage collection in my shave den.

Have you considered T&H? I bought in a bowl of their Sandalwood within the last few months and have used it a lot! For a non-tallow ingredient set, it's also very true to the traditional British hard soap and delivers a great shave ... to my face, it has the edge over DR Harris but their differences are in fact their character.

donnie_arko · Thursday January 12, 2023

I'm surprised to read no one here has not mentioned CR Salter hard soap which is supposed to be the same base as the hard soaps from DRH but at a fraction of the price.

gthe · Friday January 13, 2023

donnie_arko said:
I'm surprised to read no one here has not mentioned CR Salter hard soap which is supposed to be the same base as the hard soaps from DRH but at a fraction of the price.

Didn't know that the CR Salter puck share the same tallow base with the Dr.Harris. So it makes no brainer to just spend a fiver and try the CR Salter refill first

Boycie83 · Friday January 13, 2023

I like DRH soaps. I don't think you'll be disappointed with them.

Pedigree · Tuesday January 17, 2023

DR Harris are about as good as it gets (though MWF has better post-shave feel). Also, have you considered trying TOBS hard soaps? They are highly underrated and perform right up there with the best of them.

Pedigree · Tuesday January 17, 2023

gthe said:
I am wondering what is your opinion about dr. harris pucks. Never tried one and i was wondering how the old school uk soaps compare with nowadays artisan or with the classic MWF.

I like the new softer soaps with their fancy tubs, artworks and easiness to lather, but i fancy to use old school harder soaps as well like tabac, mwf.
I also enjoy the classic scents of the TOBS creams (i have mr taylor, sandalwood, peppermint) more than the artisan scents to be honest so i was wondering if i am missing something without trying one of these uk soaps.

They are solidly better then any of the artisanal offerings out there. Aside from class and tradition, these UK hard soaps can't be beat.