DR Harris Arlington is one of my favorite shave soaps. I’ve tried the shave cream too, but there’s something about the soap that trips all my triggers.
Scent
DR Harris’ website calls the scent “a light citrus and fern aroma.” Basenotes comments get a bit more detailed, with a general agreement of lemon and fern. Some say there’s a bit of a “creamy” or “musk-like” finish. I get a very balanced citrus/fern scent to my (admittedly poor) sense of smell. The shaving soap has a stronger scent than the shaving cream in my opinion.
Lather
Oh lord…does Arlington shave soap lather. Luxuriously. Volumously. Even with my hard water. And it does so quickly! This is one of the few shave soaps I have that will give me a terrific lather in no time. The shave cream lathers well too.
Performance
Lubrication and cushion are top-notch: I think the shaving cream is a bit less lubricating but it is a minor point. DR Harris is a “top shelf” product in my opinion.
Value
Well…”top shelf” also means “not cheap.” You can save yourself a few pennies by getting the soap refill (vs. the soap in a bowl) and putting it in another container (I found an empty shaving cream tub from another brand fit perfectly!) or by getting the shave stick. But you will generally find prices that are in the range of the other, perhaps better known, high-end traditional shaving products.
The Bottom Line
Probably my favorite shaving soap. I give it a 9 out of 10.
Ingredients (shave soap): Potassium palmate, Sodium tallowate, Sodium palmate, Sodium palm kernelate, Glycerin, Parfum, Sodium chloride, Petrolatum, Palm kernel acid, Orthotolyl biguanide, Linalool, Limonene, Farnesol, Citral, Tetrasodium etidromate, Pentasodium, pentetate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Cl 77891
Ingredients (shave cream): Aqua (Water), Stearic acid, Myristic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Coconut acid, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium hydroxide, Citral, Farnesol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
Got the Dr Harris Marlborough. Have to say it works awesome!! After reading the reviews from Sharpologist website I have to say it awesome!! Being that I’m new to the world of wet shaving all Mantic59’s pointers are spot on!!
It doesn’t get any better than D.R.Harris Arlington.
D.R. Harris Marlborough has a better scent than Arlington. However, both lather and perform equally. The D.R. Harris Marlborough and Sandalwood aftershave splash are also wonderful.
Hi guys,
ordered this soap after this review too (specially as the Mitchell’s Wool Fat soap is mentioned in the comments and this is my every day soap as it gives very easy great lather).
One question though before I use it tomorrow: how do you guys create the lather? The Mitchell I just lather directly in my face, no shaving mug…does the DR Harris work this way too?
Andy– I’ve tried it both ways (face & bowl) and it works great for me either way.
Buying certain products over the internet can be a pig in a poke –
especially products with a specific perfume. However, if Mantic
raves about Arlington it must be good. Couldn’t decide whether to get the cream or the soap, so I bought both. Use both to whip
up a super lather which gives a smooth and most enjoyable shave.
The smell is a little unusual but it’s growing on me.
Good review of a great product.
Just got some of this soap. I have really hard water which has given me trouble with other soaps but this stuff is amazing! Question: Is the almond scented as good as this one? Same quality but different scent? Or is it not as good?
D.R. Harris Arlington one of my favorites, right up there with Mitchell’s Wool Fat (though I do not have hard water). I shaved with it this AM with my Simpson’s Rover (thanks for the review Mantic!). Has anyone tried the EdT? I really like the Arlington scent.
I got a puck for Christmas – based on Leisureguy saying how good DR Harris is. Its pricey, but certainly gives a great shave.
Is this the Matt Willis I know? If you don’t recognize my name, then the answer is no.
This is a great soap. I have been using it for about 3 months. The Arlington aftershave splash finishes the shave off nicely too.
Mark, thanks for the review and I look forward to ordering some in the future. I have to use up some existing product first.
An FYI for those wetshavers who need puck containers: stop by a restaurant supply store and pick up a sleeve of small foam bowls with lids (such as one would get a side of cole slaw in). Also, if the puck slides or spins you can hold it by squeezing the bowl. The lids usually can be written on for those who have multi-puck shave dens (like me).
I just placed an order for this soap from West Coast Shaving! I hope it’s as good as you say it is, Mark. Can’t wait ’till it arrives!