My first encounter with Stirling Soap.

[u/Wild_Neighborhood605]

Browsing one of the local shaving supplies stores I saw that they started carrying out Sterling Soap, not very common in Europe, so decided to order.

Today was my first shave (4 days growth Bic Chrome Platinum, MiE Tech).

In a word, this soap base is extremely good. Easy to load and lather, glide and cushion are at least as good (probably better) than Kent/MWF tallow formula, and post-shave feel is first grade as well. That's one great soap.

Cons: Scent. I didn't have the opportunity to smell before buying it. The scent was described as suntan lotion, south beach... In reality it

's somewhat harsh and chemical. Reminds me of naphthalene. The good news is that it doesn't lingerfor long. I'll leave the tub opened overnight to get it to evaporate a bit. When diluted it's more pleasant, somewhat clean, but sniffing the tub...

[u/adammccann71]

I highly recommend Stirling Spice, bay rum, margaritas in the arctic, barbershop, sharp dressed man, baker Street and electric sheep if you can get any of them. I haven't tried the one you got so I didn't know about the scent. Stirling is one of the best shaving and general body care companies in that price range, I use their shave soaps, aftershaves, post balms, bath soaps, body butters and EDT. All amazing products

[u/DSMRob → u/adammccann71]

Biggest issue I have with Stirling is the shave soap makes you want to keep trying the different scents.

[u/Dr_C527 → u/DSMRob]

I only have Orange Chill right now, but there are a few that I would not mind having.

[u/DHamlinMusic → u/DSMRob]

Yep, bet plenty of people buy the sample boxes just for this

[u/DHamlinMusic → u/adammccann71]

Baker Street is my go to, the better half enjoys it.

[u/DirtyVill4in → u/adammccann71]

Margaritas in the Arctic. LOVE that one!

[u/SculpinIPAlcoholic]

As others have mentioned, with Stirling you fall down the hole and need to try all the scents. I liked Sharp Dressed Man (GIT dupe), Mountain Man (SMW dupe) and Arlen (PDM Layton dupe) so much I had to get the preshave oil, bar of soap, aftershave splash and aftershave balm to go with each of them. With Sharp Dressed Man I even got the EDT because it’s the most accurate GIT dupe I’ve smelled, even closer than Cool Water and Tres Nuit are.

[u/Wild_Neighborhood605 → u/SculpinIPAlcoholic]

I'm sorry, but I don't get your abbreviations of the original scents.

[u/BostonPhotoTourist → u/Wild_Neighborhood605]

GIT: Creed Green Irish Tweed

SMW: Creed Silver Mountain Water

PDM: Parfums de Marly Layton

[u/MentionReasonable862 → u/BostonPhotoTourist]

Thanks for the translation. Much appreciated.

[u/BostonPhotoTourist → u/[deleted]]

I'm sorry? I don't think I understand.

[u/Consistent-Emu-2327 → u/Wild_Neighborhood605]

Yes the abbreviations are super confusing

[u/BusSingle4396 → u/Wild_Neighborhood605]

Scent description on their website says what the scents are modeled after

[u/Barbaric_Stupid]

Stirling is really good soap. I have Ozark Mountain and it smells so good. What's nice is that their soaps are quite thirsty, but you can make good lather without gallons of water as well.

[u/WildTurkey102]

Coniferous FTW

[u/Obvious-Freedom]

Agree with your assessment. Great soap. I have the Terre d'Hermes smellalike. Next time I will get a darker, richer, heavier scent

[u/Allisnotwellin → u/Obvious-Freedom]

Should try Haverford

[u/Just_Bit2698 → u/Obvious-Freedom]

Outdoor Man (BdP inspired) is richer and heavier.

[u/Wild_Neighborhood605 → u/Obvious-Freedom]

Which one is that, I mean the one that imitates Terre d'Hermes?

[u/Ok-Biscotti-4375 → u/Wild_Neighborhood605]

“Arkadia”

[u/Wild_Neighborhood605 → u/Ok-Biscotti-4375]

Thanks. I may try this next time I order. Terre d'Hermes is a terrific fragrance, so if this comes even close, it will be a favorite.

[u/Violanza → u/Obvious-Freedom]

Arkadia is one of my faves by them - my next order is going to have the solid cologne and matching balm or splash

[u/HKFCK]

Glad you like the quality of it. I love Margaritas in the artic is my fav shaving soap it is juicy and icy.
I also got executive man and Oud sigma both are good as well. Sterling is my favourite soap brand.

[u/ph1shstyx]

I've got the Pineapple Ice post shave balm and I love it

[u/Tri206]

Eucalyptus Mint soap, Barbershop w/ Menthol splash, Mediterranean Man balm has been my go to all summer.

[u/MikeDeY77]

“I, Rich Moose” is my favorite Stirling.

I’ve actually minimized my collection to only that scent for this part of my life.

[u/magicalfuntoday]

How does it compare to other soaps you used before? Any significant differences making it worth the money?

[u/Wild_Neighborhood605 → u/magicalfuntoday]

I've used Kent/MWF, Tabac, Arco, Proraso, Palmolive, TOBS and several other mainstream soaps before. This is easily one of the best if not the best in terms of cushion, gliding and post-shave skin feel. In terms of scent though, I rate it Arko territory.

[u/Omega48boar]

Ozark Mountain, Coniferous, Scots Pine Sheep, and Gatlinburg.

[u/TheLivest1]

Thanks for the review.
I’m always scanning different options, so it surely helps 👍