Review OSP Spice Road

Nightguard

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
I've been keen on this soap for some time now but the high postage price has always put me off but I finally gave in a few weeks ago and I'm really glad I did.
First Impressions:
The packaging is nothing special, just the standard wide mouth plastic tub I've come to expect from quality artisans. In fact I'm pretty certain these are the same tubs Phoenix & Beau use but a different colour. The labels are of a nice design and waterproof which is always a plus. Plenty of room to load up in, even with 140g of soap in the there. The soap itself is fairly hard for an artisan soap, I'm not able to make an impression on the soap with my fingers and with a few taps the soap will come out of the tub in one solid piece.
The scent is an interesting blend of Old Spice and Aniseed with the Aniseed dominating.
mUkYryC.jpg

Lather:
My usual lathering technique is to bloom the soap and soak my brush whilst I shower, then dump the excess water from my brush and load for 30 seconds before building the lather on my face and adding water slowly. Using this technique I was able to build a very usable lather on day 1 although it was nowhere near as wet a lather as I usually use. On day 2 I left a fair amount of water in the brush before loading and kept adding water until I was rewarded with an incredibly slick and cushioning, shiny lather. Day 3 was a repeat of day 2 and again a perfect lather was the result.
gYJtsfN.jpg

Post Shave:
This is where the OSP soap truly stands out. My face feels incredible after using this soap. With a quick rinse and pat dry I'm good to go. Absolutely no post shave treatment is required (Although I did still apply A/S for scent). No other soap I've tried gives me this feeling.
Conclusion:
This soap is definitely a keeper for me, if only for the incredible post shave feel. Although It's a great soap in all other ways as well. The lather is easy once it's dialled in, the scent is great, packaging is reasonable and if I ignore the high postage costs it's reasonably priced.
 
I've been keen on this soap for some time now but the high postage price has always put me off but I finally gave in a few weeks ago and I'm really glad I did.
First Impressions:
The packaging is nothing special, just the standard wide mouth plastic tub I've come to expect from quality artisans. In fact I'm pretty certain these are the same tubs Phoenix & Beau use but a different colour. The labels are of a nice design and waterproof which is always a plus. Plenty of room to load up in, even with 140g of soap in the there. The soap itself is fairly hard for an artisan soap, I'm not able to make an impression on the soap with my fingers and with a few taps the soap will come out of the tub in one solid piece.
The scent is an interesting blend of Old Spice and Aniseed with the Aniseed dominating.
mUkYryC.jpg

Lather:
My usual lathering technique is to bloom the soap and soak my brush whilst I shower, then dump the excess water from my brush and load for 30 seconds before building the lather on my face and adding water slowly. Using this technique I was able to build a very usable lather on day 1 although it was nowhere near as wet a lather as I usually use. On day 2 I left a fair amount of water in the brush before loading and kept adding water until I was rewarded with an incredibly slick and cushioning, shiny lather. Day 3 was a repeat of day 2 and again a perfect lather was the result.
gYJtsfN.jpg

Post Shave:
This is where the OSP soap truly stands out. My face feels incredible after using this soap. With a quick rinse and pat dry I'm good to go. Absolutely no post shave treatment is required (Although I did still apply A/S for scent). No other soap I've tried gives me this feeling.
Conclusion:
This soap is definitely a keeper for me, if only for the incredible post shave feel. Although It's a great soap in all other ways as well. The lather is easy once it's dialled in, the scent is great, packaging is reasonable and if I ignore the high postage costs it's reasonably priced.
Great review, @Nightguard. The detail on lathering is great info.
 
Excellent review mate. It's been a highly desired soap for me too for a while...

...if I ignore the high postage costs it's reasonably priced.
This is it. Postage is horrible. I can not personally justify paying this much for this soap. There are a lot of top quality soaps that can be had for a better price.

I understand the soap makers intentions by only using registered post, but for
$51 for 140g is what turns me off. That's £14.50 for the soap and and incredible £23 for postage. Converted that's over A$50 for a single soap (!!!).

I've done the sums and this soap would benefit from a group buy.
For 2 soaps you're looking at $37 each.
For 3 - $40 each
For 4 - $36 each
For 5 - $34 each
And then a dollar or two less each time down to the maximum of 9 soaps for $29 each.

I say group buy as this is going to be a premium priced boutique artisan soap. With fairly average packaging, you won't attract the high spending class so this is for the specialist wet shavers. It's why I personally think that @shavetheman would not stock this soap. It's far too expensive for an average looking (but top performing) soap.

If a group buy happens (I'm not organising, just suggesting) then if consider but I still think you'd be up for a serious hit to the wallet.
 
Excellent review mate. It's been a highly desired soap for me too for a while...


This is it. Postage is horrible. I can not personally justify paying this much for this soap. There are a lot of top quality soaps that can be had for a better price.

I understand the soap makers intentions by only using registered post, but for
$51 for 140g is what turns me off. That's £14.50 for the soap and and incredible £23 for postage. Converted that's over A$50 for a single soap (!!!).

I've done the sums and this soap would benefit from a group buy.
For 2 soaps you're looking at $37 each.
For 3 - $40 each
For 4 - $36 each
For 5 - $34 each
And then a dollar or two less each time down to the maximum of 9 soaps for $29 each.

I say group buy as this is going to be a premium priced boutique artisan soap. With fairly average packaging, you won't attract the high spending class so this is for the specialist wet shavers. It's why I personally think that @shavetheman would not stock this soap. It's far too expensive for an average looking (but top performing) soap.

If a group buy happens (I'm not organising, just suggesting) then if consider but I still think you'd be up for a serious hit to the wallet.

PHEW - saved from buying!

Thanks @filobiblic (y)(y)
 
Excellent review mate. It's been a highly desired soap for me too for a while...


This is it. Postage is horrible. I can not personally justify paying this much for this soap. There are a lot of top quality soaps that can be had for a better price.

I understand the soap makers intentions by only using registered post, but for
$51 for 140g is what turns me off. That's £14.50 for the soap and and incredible £23 for postage. Converted that's over A$50 for a single soap (!!!).

I've done the sums and this soap would benefit from a group buy.
For 2 soaps you're looking at $37 each.
For 3 - $40 each
For 4 - $36 each
For 5 - $34 each
And then a dollar or two less each time down to the maximum of 9 soaps for $29 each.

I say group buy as this is going to be a premium priced boutique artisan soap. With fairly average packaging, you won't attract the high spending class so this is for the specialist wet shavers. It's why I personally think that @shavetheman would not stock this soap. It's far too expensive for an average looking (but top performing) soap.

If a group buy happens (I'm not organising, just suggesting) then if consider but I still think you'd be up for a serious hit to the wallet.

I think you're using his older prices there. Total cost for the two soaps I ordered including postage was £35.50. £9.00 for the Spice Road on pre order, £12.00 for the Fougere and £14.50 for postage. Worked out to just over $30.00 for each soap delivered.
 
You know, wouldn't mind joining a group buy on this one.
 
*Sighs* Con @shavetheman are you going to stock these/arrange a GB to trial stock them, or should I look into a GB?
 
*Sighs* Con @shavetheman are you going to stock these/arrange a GB to trial stock them, or should I look into a GB?
"Ladies and gents, OSP is now looking for new wholesale opportunities worldwide. New pricing structure. Please email info@ospsoap.com for new price list." quote from their FB page from an hour ago... It's a sign from God (said in a Blues brother's voice)
 
I think you're using his older prices there. Total cost for the two soaps I ordered including postage was £35.50. £9.00 for the Spice Road on pre order, £12.00 for the Fougere and £14.50 for postage. Worked out to just over $30.00 for each soap delivered.

I based it on £12.50 soaps a while back. £14.50 for postage for two soaps was the same. I'd say conversion has improved a fair bit as the Aussie Peso has fought back recently.
 
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