Step 3 of comparison: Mystic Waters Sensitive Skin

Mystic Waters shaving soaps are, like Creed’s and Strop Shoppe soaps, first-rate soaps. They are similar to Strop Shoppe (previously compared) in being a relatively soft soap, unlike the triple-milled Creed’s. These are tallow-based, and the Sensitive Skin formula (like Strop Shoppe’s Unscented) has no added fragrance, though it does mell pleasantly from the ingredients (listed on label above).

Once again the doughty Wee Scot worked up an instant lather, thick, luxurious, and lubricious. Really, so far as lather is concerned, the three soaps—Creed’s, Strop Shoppe’s, and Mystic Water’s—are at the same level. Price, of course, is a very different story. The tub of Mystic Waters is 4 oz for $11.80; Strop Shoppe’s Special Edition with Tallow comes in an 8.5 oz tub for $16 (the best bargain); Creed’s comes in a 5.2 oz tub for $80. (Note that Creed’s is triple-milled so is going to be more long-lasting than the softer soaps; but still…)

For fragrance, I have to hand it to Creed’s. The fragrances of Mystic Waters and Strop Shoppe soaps is quite good, but very light—probably wise, given that skin sensitivity to fragrances seems not all that rare—and little fragrance lies in the lather once formed. But I have no complaints, simply that the Creed’s fragrance seems somewhat more definite.

Today’s shave, with the Tradere bearing the Gillette Rubie blade, was excellent. This razor works exceptionally well for me, with another BBS shaving as the result after three passes.

A good splash of Saint Charles Shave Savory Rose, and all is well.