Institut Karité Shave Soap

[Leisureguy]

I just got a puck of this: 25% shea butter and a very nice fragrance. I'll give it a go tomorrow with my new Harvard 1. And this weekend I'll stop by the Carmel Drugstore to get one of their wooden shaving-soap bowls. (The puck comes in a cardboard box.) Can't wait...

[jnich67]

Source? :drool

Jordan

[Leisureguy]

I got it here (http://www.razorandbrush.com/barberiasoap.html) (scroll down---it's last on the list, bottom of the page).

[TraderJoe]

Looking forward to your review, Michael~

[Queen of Blades]

I found it here (http://www.cherrylanecollection.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?uid=35857996&action=search&keyword=&category=Institut+Karite&startlist=36&product=&manufacturer=European+Soaps&sub_category=&closeout=&notkeyword=&title=Institut+Karite&template=&theme=) for cheaper.

[Mr. Igg]

Looking forward to your review, Michael~

I found it herefor cheaper.

Hi, everyone!

I'll be eager to hear your review as well, Michael, especially given the good deal JoAnna found is a closeout...

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome to The Shave Den, Mr. Igg!

[msandoval858]

Great, another soap for me to try ::

[Leisureguy]

Here's the story: I used my new Simpsons Harvard 1 Best Badger brush, and immediately got a fine lather. The brush is small, but still holds enough lather for 3 passes. It generally goes without saying, but to make it explicit, I (as always) called on MR GLO for the initial beard wash.

The razor was the Weishi polished chrome and satin gold, which I loaded with a new Astra Superior Platinum blade.

It’s a good shave. The Weishi is a very nice razor, sturdy and well-made. It is a mild razor, very similar (for me) to the 40’s Gillette Super Speed, which makes it a good razor for a newbie. I like a slightly more aggressive razor, but for all that, I did get a good shave.

The brush really didn't hold as much lather as I like, but it may be a "first-use" thing---after I break it in, it may hold more.

The soap was extremely nice: good lather, quickly made, nice fragrance, felt good. I want to use it again soon, perhaps with one of the H1's bigger brothers.

I want to try the Institut Karite shea butter shaving cream, but hate to pay the $7 shipping (for one item). When I ordered the soap from R&B, I was ordering quite a few other things, so the shipping charge per thing was low.

[Cowtown]

Good evening. I bought this soap last year. It is a terrific performer. The lather is snow white, very soft and creamy and the fragrance couldn't offend a parson. Whipped up in one of the super brushes(stiff backbone, soft tips), it makes one of the best lathers around. Its skin conditioning is wonderful. It is very clean and fresh smelling. I purchase it locally from www.aumarche.com They are great to deal with and the soap is just $14. I do not know if they ship. This one is worth a trial.

Regards, Todd

[Queen of Blades]

I happened to be in TJ Maxx today, and they had several Institut Karite items. No shaving cream or soap, but that might just be my TJ Maxx. Might be worth a look if you have a TJ Maxx nearby.

Anybody know if this brand is being discontinued or something? Between that webstore I linked yesterday having the stuff on closeout, and TJ Maxx having quite a few of the products, it seems kind of odd.

[Cowtown]

Hello JoAnna. I am not sure about discontinuing the product. I hope not. Au Marche had about ten cakes in stock. I was there tonight buying the wife one of those wonderful Roger and Gallet bath soaps in the neat plastic "boxes". Blue Lotus. I grabbed it for the wife. It is a stunning scent. Now R &G is one brand of shave soap I wish I could try. Alas, it is discontinued in the States.

Regards, Todd

[Mr. Igg]

I happened to be in TJ Maxx today, and they had several Institut Karite items. No shaving cream or soap, but that might just be my TJ Maxx. Might be worth a look if you have a TJ Maxx nearby.

Anybody know if this brand is being discontinued or something? Between that webstore I linked yesterday having the stuff on closeout, and TJ Maxx having quite a few of the products, it seems kind of odd.

To quote that great philosopher, Scooby Doo, "Ruh Roh...A Rue!"

[Padron]

I have been wanting to try it for some time now, I've got shave soap, shave cream and bath soap on the way...:o:o

Thanks guys :rolleyes:

[hyperwarp]

Duh, I thought "Hai Karate" was discontinued, due to unpopular undemand, years ago.....er, NEVERMIND

In the words of another Great American Philosopher, SpongeBobSquarePants:

"GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!!!"

[Padron]

I hope Michael is Ok with me adding my thoughts and a few photos...

The Puck, 3.5oz small in diameter but pretty thick , very nice scent...soapy but different...Like a Provence Sante or Mitchell's Wool Fat...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/Mepadron/b5ba0a3c.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/Mepadron/c4a0631b.jpg

Brush used was a Rooney Super size 1 style 1, hot water soak, about 10-12 swirls on the puck in my hand, then built the lather on my face...very nice

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/Mepadron/ec019e85.jpg

A few swipes on the palm after I lathered my face generously..A larger brush would have yielded much more lather...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/Mepadron/dfb69d5a.jpg

Finished up...

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/Mepadron/ea0667e2.jpg

I think this is a Great soap :D, had a Very creamy, thick rich lather, great mild soapy scent, and gave the blade a smooth cushioned glide...
left my face moisturized and feeling very nice.

I have never used a soap with this much Shea butter.....it has 25% Shea butter and I think it makes for a great nourishing shave. The lather was so thick and creamy smooth, the blade had great glide and was very smooth gliding across the cheeks...

In my opinion an excellent soap that will rival many of the other triple mills out there. Soon to be a favorite :D

YMMV

[IsaacRN]

And where did you pick this up?

[Padron]

And where did you pick this up?

From the link JoAnna was kind enough to share :D

[IsaacRN]

i didnt find the shave soap on that link...just the regular soap

[IsaacRN]

Found it.......damn....tempted to get a cream and a soap

[IsaacRN]

How would it compare to mitchells...i have three of them coming :(

[Padron]

How would it compare to mitchells...i have three of them coming :(


Hard to say so far after only 1 Shave, but this soap ROCKS!! I really like it so far :D

[Leisureguy]

Padron, *very* nice photos and story! Thanks.

And good idea to get both the soap and the shaving cream: reduce the shipping cost per item. :)

[Padron]

Thank you Michael!

These folks here:
http://www.cherrylanecollection.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?uid=35857996&action=search&keyword=&category=Institut+Karite&startlist=36&product=&manufacturer=European+Soaps&sub_category=&closeout=&notkeyword=&title=Institut+Karite&template=&theme=

Have free shipping, I am not sure if there is a $$ limit associated with it though. EDIT: ** I think the order has to be over $30 **

[Jim]

Hello JoAnna. I am not sure about discontinuing the product. I hope not. Au Marche had about ten cakes in stock. I was there tonight buying the wife one of those wonderful Roger and Gallet bath soaps in the neat plastic "boxes". Blue Lotus. I grabbed it for the wife. It is a stunning scent. Now R &G is one brand of shave soap I wish I could try. Alas, it is discontinued in the States.

Regards, Todd

Cambridge chemists has some in stock last time I was in- drop a call to Scott.

[Padron]

Just tried the cream, it seems pretty nice..I added a bit too much water though trying to dial it in....and didn't :o

I need a few more shaves with it though, great scent..20% Shea Butter, skin feels pretty nice :cool:




** UPDATE, I used this Soap for about 1 week straight, I really like it and this it is just about as good as any of my other quality triple milled soaps, very moisturizing and a great lather and shave were had on each attempt. **

[Cowtown]

Cambridge chemists has some in stock last time I was in- drop a call to Scott.

Hi Jim. Sorry for not responding sooner. I appreciate the heads up. I know this stuff is pretty pricey but I am sorely tempted to call them up and buy a bowl if it is available. Thank you so much.

Regards, Todd

[TstebinsB]

i didnt find the shave soap on that link...just the regular soap

I still can't find it..

[TstebinsB]

I don't know what the closeout price was but there is a seller on eBay that sells it for $16 shipped.

[Queen of Blades]

I still can't find it..

I think the other guys must have ordered everything that the website had, cause I can't find it now either.

[TraderJoe]

I think the other guys must have ordered everything that the website had, cause I can't find it now either.

Vultures! :rofl

[Dale]

Try this site for the shave cream: frenchybee.com

[TstebinsB]

I decided to pull the trigger on the eBay seller.

[Padron]

Sorry Telly,

When I ordered mine, before I placed the order they showed 4 soaps and 3 tubes of cream in stock, if I remember correctly....I bought 2 soaps and 1 cream...I paid like $12.49 I think for the soap and $13 something for the cream..

I love this soap, the shea butter seems to agree with my skin and it provides a great lather. The cream is nice too, but I've only used it once.....the soap I've used about 10 times..

[Padron]

I decided to pull the trigger on the eBay seller.

I think you'll really like the soap...Hope so :D

[TstebinsB]

Sorry Telly,

When I ordered mine, before I placed the order they showed 4 soaps and 3 tubes of cream in stock, if I remember correctly....I bought 2 soaps and 1 cream...I paid like $12.49 I think for the soap and $13 something for the cream..

I love this soap, the shea butter seems to agree with my skin and it provides a great lather. The cream is nice too, but I've only used it once.....the soap I've used about 10 times..

No worries. I have some extra Mitchell's Wool Fat. If I wind up liking the IK, I'll sell the MWF to fund another purchase.

[Leisureguy]

I noticed that Institut Karite makes two different shaving creams: one 20% shea butter, the other 25% shea butter. Plus they make a 25% shea butter aftershave balm. This site sells the 25% stuff (http://www.thefrenchybee.com/bath-beauty-for-men-c-21_92.html), though you can undoubtedly find it elsewhere as well.

[Padron]

Hmmm, quite interesting.

The shave cream I purchased I believe was the 20% Shea variety, it's nice but I like the 25% Shea soap better. I also just picked up the 25% Shea aftershave balm, I've only used it once so far, but it seems like a great balm...a keeper.

Just noticed the picture at the French Bee say's it's only 20% Shea shave scream while the text says 25% Shea shave cream....typo???

Oh yea, by the way their bathsoap rocks too!! :)

[desmoface]

Well, Isaac, I'll be glad to relieve you of one of those if you wish to sell ;)

Steve

How would it compare to mitchells...i have three of them coming :(

[Leisureguy]

Hmm. Email The Frenchy Bee to be sure which one he's offering. It could be a typo, or it could be he's using a photo that he had on hand. Institut Karite definitely does have a 25% shea butter shaving cream, though: "extra gentle".

[TstebinsB]

I like the soap but it doesn't have much of a scent. I might pass on it in the future because of that.