Discussion thread for Yardley shaving soap

[Spirit_of_76]

This is the discussion thread for this (http://www.theshaveden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=923) review.

Regards,
Alex

[moviemaniac]

thanks for the great review, Alex!
Will be on the lookout for this fella! :drool

[Smedley]

Where can one purchase this soapy goodness? :drool

[crackstar]

I thought it was discontinued.

[moviemaniac]

I thought it was discontinued.
it was indeed discontinued a wee while back

[PottyDoctor]

it was indeed discontinued a wee while back

Now that's some sad news! Especially after being taunted about how good this stuff is! Such is life! :rolleyes:

[Spirit_of_76]

Alas, Crackstar and Klaus are both correct, Yardley shaving soap of any description is no longer commercially available.
To be honest, I am not even sure what type of Yardley soap I have. The two I am aware of are Gentleman's Lavender and Black Label. My soap is definitely not Black Label, but the box doesn't say that it is Gentleman's Lavender either.
As for the history of the Yardley shaving soaps, the Lavender soap was available in the 1930's until the 1960's when it was replaced by Black label, which reading between the lines was available until the 1980's. Apparently, the last few soaps available at Cambridge Chemists sold for $100 apiece.
I know it is generally considered bad form to direct people to another forum, so first let me apologise for doing so, but you should be able to find more information in the Creams and Soaps sub forum at SMF. A few members there are lucky enough to own some Yardley shaving soaps, and they seem to be as enamoured with theirs as I am with mine.
As far as getting your hands on some these days, they do seem to come up from time to time but they almost always fetch a high price ( that was why I was surprised to get mine so cheaply.)
If you're looking for a similiar shaving experience, then may i suggest that you try looking at some of the other tallow based soaps still available i.e Tabac, Harris or Penhaligon's if you haven't already done so. They are not as good as the Yardley offering, but I think that tallow is the key.
P.S I have just reread my review and I would like to apologise for the incredible overuse of the word incredible, it's just that this soap really is, well, incredible:rofl
Regards,
Alex

[PottyDoctor]

Alas, Crackstar and Klaus are both correct, Yardley shaving soap of any description is no longer commercially available.
To be honest, I am not even sure what type of Yardley soap I have. The two I am aware of are Gentleman's Lavender and Black Label. My soap is definitely not Black Label, but the box doesn't say that it is Gentleman's Lavender either.
As for the history of the Yardley shaving soaps, the Lavender soap was available in the 1930's until the 1960's when it was replaced by Black label, which reading between the lines was available until the 1980's. Apparently, the last few soaps available at Cambridge Chemists sold for $100 apiece.
I know it is generally considered bad form to direct people to another forum, so first let me apologise for doing so, but you should be able to find more information in the Creams and Soaps sub forum at SMF. A few members there are lucky enough to own some Yardley shaving soaps, and they seem to be as enamoured with theirs as I am with mine.
As far as getting your hands on some these days, they do seem to come up from time to time but they almost always fetch a high price ( that was why I was surprised to get mine so cheaply.)
If you're looking for a similiar shaving experience, then may i suggest that you try looking at some of the other tallow based soaps still available i.e Tabac, Harris or Penhaligon's if you haven't already done so. They are not as good as the Yardley offering, but I think that tallow is the key.
P.S I have just reread my review and I would like to apologise for the incredible overuse of the word incredible, it's just that this soap really is, well, incredible:rofl
Regards,
Alex

:rofl Incredible Alex! Absolutely incredible! :rofl

[Straight Arrow]

I saw a NOS Yardley set at a local antique store for $20. It contains a wooden bowl of soap, an after shave, and a few other items that I can't really remember. It looks old but unused. Whaddaya think? Good deal?

[Spirit_of_76]

I saw a NOS Yardley set at a local antique store for $20. It contains a wooden bowl of soap, an after shave, and a few other items that I can't really remember. It looks old but unused. Whaddaya think? Good deal?

Definitely. If it's in a wooden bowl then it's probably Gentleman's Lavender, which means it will be quite old. The scent may be somewhat diminished by now, but it should still shave perfectly.

Regards,
Alex