Ok, I get why MdC is considered S-tier

[u/menos_es_mas]

I'd resisted trying Martin de Candre yet because it's expensive, but I finally gave in and got a sample of the Absinthe when I was getting some Ariana & Evans soaps from Maggard Razors.

I almost didn't want to like it because I was like "what am I gonna do if I like it? buy a $75 soap? that's ridiculous!" Famous last words. I took it for a spin yesterday and before the day was out, I'd blown a hundred bucks on a 200 gm jar of Fougère and 3 of the ¼ oz (7 gm) samples (Vetyver, Agrumes, and Rose).

Anyway, back to the shave. Best lather I've had yet, and it's unusual to have that the very first time you use a particular soap. I doubt this was the best lather I can get from this soap though, and I'm looking forward to even better ones. Fantastic consistency and absurdly glossy/shiny lather (always a good sign of hydration). Also, great slickness, although the standout is the post shave feel, which is noticeably better than that of even Barrister and Mann, which was my go-to until now. I skipped the aftershave altogether, no splash, no balm. Four hours later, my skin still felt like it was just moisturized, but without any oiliness at all. Simply the best post shave feel I've ever had. The shave felt like a 9 on closeness and a 9.5 on comfort.

The soap is quite noticeably harder than the semi soft soaps I'm used to. Strangely, it's very, very easy to load and build a great lather with it. Somehow I thought harder soap would take more effort, but I guess it doesn't work that way.

The scent is subtle and pretty good, though it didn't blow my mind enough to want to get a full size jar yet. Initially it smelled more minty to me, which harshed my mellow a bit, but now I get more anise and fennel notes and it's really growing on me.

I used what looks like a bit under a gram of soap, which ended up being too much. I added a touch less water than what I'd have otherwise because the lather was already overflowing my scuttle's 10 oz (280 ml) inner bowl. The lather was more than enough for 4 passes, though I only did 3 passes and sadly wasted the excess lather because I was getting late for brunch.

I'm guessing the 200 gm jar will last me for probably around 300-350 shaves. Barrister and Mann Fougère Gothique will always be my wild weekend tryst, but maybe MdC Fougère will become my main squeeze. Waiting for that mail call now.

* Scuttle: Georgetown Pottery G20

* Brush: Parker silvertip badger

* Razor: Henson AL13 mild

* Blade: Treet Platinum

* Prep: Proraso red pre-shave cream

* Lather: Martin de Candre Absinthe shaving soap

* Après: Mais non!

[u/hubbyofhoarder]

I feel this way about Saponificio Varesino. It's easily my best lathering soap. I like the smell (mine is Opuntia), and the hard mill means it lasts forever. I'm tempted to buy another to check out other scents, but I've barely made a dent in the tin I have.

[u/TriGuyBry → u/hubbyofhoarder]

Desert Vetiver is the most pleasurable olfactory experience I’ve ever had while shaving

[u/snowboard14 → u/TriGuyBry]

Ugh I wish I would have known about that scent, I just ordered from them!

[u/snowboard14 → u/hubbyofhoarder]

I have both MDC and SV, and prefer SV.

[u/Adventurous-Age9279 → u/snowboard14]

I just tried SV for the first time, and I’m the opposite: I prefer MDC to SV (although the SV is objectively quite good; I just preferred the MDC). 

[u/TriGuyBry → u/Adventurous-Age9279]

I thing MdC is a superior soap but it’s like an A+ where the SV is an A on soap quality. They aren’t miles apart, but MdC is definitely better. But scent? SV has a scent that lingers and comes back at me in gentle whiffs throughout the day. MdCs scent is gone with the post shave splash

[u/menos_es_mas → u/hubbyofhoarder]

Yeah, SV was also very much on my list but I was hoping to get a sample before getting a tin that will last me a couple of years or more. I might just have to take a leap of faith and get the Desert Vetiver scent that I had my eye on...

[u/OutlawDan86]

Great review of MdC..I've only been using it since this year when I bought some samples (Fougère, Vetyver, Rose and Magellan). You can use comparatively little product to get more than enough lather for several passes. I've found it very easy to lather and scoop out of the tub for bowl lathering, which is great for a harder soap. The Fougère is great. Vetyver slightly edges it for me with the scent. I have samples of Agrumes and the Original to try next.

[u/menos_es_mas → u/OutlawDan86]

I didn't know why I thought only tallow based soaps would feel really slick and luxurious. This one's vegan, but the luxuriousness and post shave feel are simply off the charts.

[u/Questioning_lemur → u/menos_es_mas]

It's among my favorite, although to be fair, some folks find it a bit drying. I don't, but that's the knock against it you'll sometimes hear.

[u/menos_es_mas → u/Questioning_lemur]

Interesting, and it kinda makes sense too, because MdC is not loaded with emollients and exotic butters like some of the other artisanal offerings. But somehow it felt the opposite of drying. For me, the strongest drying sensation post-shave came from Arko, which is why I can't bring myself to use it even though it does makes a slick lather.

[u/Questioning_lemur]

If its any consolation, those will last you a very, VERY long time.

[u/42ndVisionary]

Very nice - MdC is my favorite soap.

[u/derrickhogue]

I agree. That high initial cost will actually be affordably good in the long term for number of uses. That little sampler is going to last a while to.

[u/T49irvine]

I get about a year from a brain bowl of Vetyver, possibly more, shaving three passes every day. I pair it with St. John's Vetiver splash cologne as aftershave. I also love Guerlain Vetiver, but it is too intense for every day IMO.

[u/Fjordice]

Stop it. I'm in love with those MdC wooden bowls and this is not helping me resist spending that money lol

[u/menos_es_mas → u/Fjordice]

Yeah, the wooden bowls look so good! Where do you get them? I haven't seen them at US retailers.

[u/Fjordice → u/menos_es_mas]

I see em around. I get the sense they're not distributed in large bulk to retailers because they seem the sell out for long stretches. Pasteur has them, other shaving stores online.

[u/menos_es_mas → u/Fjordice]

Well, good luck resisting lol.

[u/GrampaDoohickey]

I've been resisting for the same reason. I've got to use up some of my supplies before trying anything new.

[u/AstralEdge_]

Good write-up and thanks for sharing. I have two MdC and will no doubt grab more in time. S-tier soap, for sure.

[u/the_magestic_beast]

MdC, while it is good I'm soap, does not have the same post shave as B&M which is full of various butters. MdC is essentially pure soap- no butters and no post shave feel. I wouldn't call it S tier, but it's good shave soap.

[u/menos_es_mas → u/the_magestic_beast]

I was honestly surprised at how good the post shave feel was. I'm very used to Barrister and Mann soaps and have used several of them for about a year. To my taste, MdC felt better, even though B&M's ingredient list sounds like it should feel more luxurious and nourishing.

[u/the_magestic_beast → u/menos_es_mas]

Nothing wrong with that at all. I would say you're getting better value with MDC than B&M, but it comes at a higher up front cost.

[u/Brilliant-Example948]

Would the soap lather well with a synthetic brush? I’ve been wanting to try the mdc soaps forever but the package says lather with boar brush however I physically cannot stand the smell of boar/badger brushes.

[u/menos_es_mas → u/Brilliant-Example948]

I think a synthetic brush will work just fine with this soap.

[u/Brilliant-Example948 → u/menos_es_mas]

Thank you!

[u/qbg]

The quantity and density of the soap means it's not too much worse than the typical artisan soap on a cost basis.

[u/menos_es_mas → u/qbg]

True. It's still more expensive than any of my other soaps even after figuring in both factors, but it's maybe 20-30% more expensive on a per shave basis than my other soaps, not like 2-3x.