Welcome to the Hotel California Dwes
Such a lovely place.. pity about the members of course, but you could do worse.
I'm happy to furnish you with some samples. I too had the same problem of trying a broad range of products to see what I liked best. It gets expensive and you don't actually use up soap very quickly. So 120ml tub of something you don't like is really a burden.
For me, I ended up defining soaps by three categories. You'll find what you like in each.
Consistency - Creams, Croaps (very soft soaps) hard soaps.
I guess each has their virtues, creams are the easiest to work with, very often they are formulated to explode instantly into lather, but as you get more experience lathering I find that soft soaps offer more density and glide, resulting in a more comfortable shave (that's just for me, many many people love creams too)
Scent - There are endless options. Many are well known and are like staples of the wetshaving products, yet are little known outside that circle. Scents like Barber Shop and Bay Rum are a measuring stick of any manufacturer, yet you'd likely not come across them unless your into wetshaving. Then the sky's the limit with lots of established firms offering signature scents that gain a following, or new artisans trying to make something no one else has…. you tend to end up with styles you like… Woodsy scents or citrus or spicy or classic soapy etc etc…
Manufacturer - Particularly with artisans, who make all their own soaps, there tends to be a trend. So chances are if you like one of their soaps, you'll like their products in general. For instance I've found Strop Shoppe soaps are all very soft, with great lather, the scents are all mellow/muted. If I ordered a SS soap which I'd never had I think it would be along those lines. Stirling soaps on the other hand tend to be very strong smelling. Tobs creams are all pretty much the same functionality, with varying scents, which they do very well. Barrister & Mann all have a very clear crisp smell - you can really smell what's written on the lid, and always amazing lather… you get the idea. I've found a few companies I'd happily order from and try new products from. And some I'd avoid at any discount/new product like Col Conk - it's just junk. Every time. I don't care if it's on sale.
Here endeth the lesson - how did this get so long?
I'll PM you mate and get some samples going your way.