#MMarch24 Madness: SSC vs TSF
- Brush: Maggard Razors Synthetic
- Razor: EldrormR Industries MM24
#MMarch24
- Blade: GEM (46)
- Lather: Talent Soap Factory - Lonesome Dove - Shaving Soap
- Post Shave: Pacific Shave Co. - Caffeinated Aftershave Balm
- Fragrance: Etat Libre d’Orange - Fat Electrician
- Passes: WTG, XTG
- Coffee: Hotel Drip (not too bad!)
- Music: Amen Dunes - Boys Single
I assume that me and a few others on the sub make up the majority of Talent Soap Factory's sub usage, so I have to rep the brand today.
Stirling would have been a fine choice too: the best value proposition in the game; two soap bases (haven't tried the beeswax one) that both compete in the big leagues (Sheep is the MVP); a scent for everybody, since there are one gazillion options on the site regardless of season; my go-to bar soap at a killer price; the MOAR BOAR; everybody likes Rod and Mandy. Nevertheless, most Stirling scents are dupes—that I have no interest in—and there are a select few Stirling originals that I enjoy more than competitors' similar offerings. I should have grabbed a set of Pharaoh's Dreamsicle before it disappeared from the Stirling site (hopefully it's just out of stock and coming back regularly); if not that musky orange wonder, I would have pulled out Electric Sheep or joined the Valiant Varen Vanguard Venture for Venerable Victory.
On the other hand, I have a soft spot for Talent Soap Factory. TSF soaps are a similarly great value, both current soap bases work well for me (and they're vegan, if that matters to you), and I like the labels that feature the artisan's mom's artwork (about half their available catalog, I think). I like supporting the underdog; in this case, the tiny Etsy seller. Also, I like TSF's approach to wet shaving scents, which usually work for me. Many are relatively simple blends that translate well in a soap medium, are rarely candy-sweet, and often are weird enough to be interesting in a crowded field. I'm pretty sure they're just blends of pre-blends, but I enjoy the results. It's a wise approach for the untrained perfumer; more wet shaving brands should try it.
Give Talent Soap Factory a try! Happy to smush you some.