Wholly Kaw soap base reformulation "Siero" .

CobraX

Forum GOD!
Had my first shave with Bare Siero a few hours ago, so here are my initial impressions.

First thing I immediately noticed when opening the tub is that Wholly Kaw is the first artisan that matches the overall jar build quality of the Barrister and Mann jars. Threads felt really smooth and the plastic is thick and sturdy. Once I saw the soap, I instantly had to think of TOBS Jermyn Street Collection shaving cream. The top layer of the soap has a very similar texture to it. I assume this texture will fade over time though.

Now regarding the scent... One thing I've learned is that you can let 10 people smell a soap and they'll all smell something different. In the end, you can only trust your own nose. I agree with @TheChrisC that it's definitely not scentless. To be honest, I don't think I even know what animal funk really smells like. What I get from the puck is a combination of whey shakes with dry cat food and then the scent strength lowered by 80-90%. I would call it a light and slightly unpleasant scent and the scent strength depends on which part of the puck you smell. The scent also remains noticeable during the shave, but I don't think it's horrible. Compared to Wholly Kaw Merchant of Tobacco, Bare Siero smells like the best scent ever created.

Alright, onto the performance. First of all let me say that I think I could have pushed the lather even further which I think would have improved the residual slickness. That being said, I think the residual slickness was still excellent. Maybe just microscopically worse than let's say DG Milksteak or BaM Reserve, but still elite. If you'd ask me what the strongest point of this soap is, then I'd definitely say the post-shave feel. What also surprised me is how voluminous the lather was. Overall I'd say it's another elite soap base, but I need more shaves with it to properly dial it in (it's very thirsty) and properly evaluate it.

I still want to explore some scented options in the future because I like the soap base so far, but I also think it's overpriced at the same time. I don't see myself buying 5-6 scented Siero soaps though because they're just too expensive. I'm hoping Maggard Razors will have samples of all new Siero soaps in the future, so I can hopefully end up with a few scented full tubs.
 
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CobraX

Forum GOD!
Thanks for the review!

Are you saying it's quite soft, like a cream?
Nope, it feels like a soap, but the top layer reminded me of my TOBS Jermyn Street Collection shaving cream (visually comparable texture). My wild guess right now is that the Siero base is slightly harder than the Milksteak base, but I haven't really verified that yet.

It's a bit comparable to this. It might look like a lion at first, but it's a dog after all.

View: https://media.giphy.com/media/WvR1t4ZAOiE9B50ipa/giphy.gif
 
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wintoid

Out of control
My wild guess right now is that the Siero base is slightly harder than the Milksteak base, but I haven't really verified that yet.
Good to hear. I have 2 milksteaks, and one is too soft (for my tastes), the other is almost too soft.
 

TheChrisC

Forum GOD!
Had my first shave with Bare Siero a few hours ago, so here are my initial impressions.

First thing I immediately noticed when opening the tub is that Wholly Kaw is the first artisan that matches the overall jar build quality of the Barrister and Mann jars. Threads felt really smooth and the plastic is thick and sturdy. Once I saw the soap, I instantly had to think of TOBS Jermyn Street Collection shaving cream. The top layer of the soap has a very similar texture to it. I assume this texture will fade over time though.

Now regarding the scent... One thing I've learned is that you can let 10 people smell a soap and they'll all smell something different. In the end, you can only trust your own nose. I agree with @TheChrisC that it's definitely not scentless. To be honest, I don't think I even know what animal funk really smells like. What I get from the puck is a combination of whey shakes with dry cat food and then the scent strength lowered by 80-90%. I would call it a light and slightly unpleasant scent and the scent strength depends on which part of the puck you smell. The scent also remains noticeable during the shave, but I don't think it's horrible. Compared to Wholly Kaw Merchant of Tobacco, Bare Siero smells like the best scent ever created.

Alright, onto the performance. First of all let me say that I think I could have pushed the lather even further which I think would have improved the residual slickness. That being said, I think the residual slickness was still excellent. Maybe just microscopically worse than let's say DG Milksteak or BaM Reserve, but still elite. If you'd ask me what the strongest point of this soap is, then I'd definitely say the post-shave feel. What also surprised me is how voluminous the lather was. Overall I'd say it's another elite soap base, but I need more shaves with it to properly dial it in (it's very thirsty) and properly evaluate it.

I still want to explore some scented options in the future because I like the soap base so far, but I also think it's overpriced at the same time. I don't see myself buying 5-6 scented Siero soaps though because they're just too expensive. I'm hoping Maggard Razors will have samples of all new Siero soaps in the future, so I can hopefully end up with a few scented full tubs.
Great review mate. Pretty much agree with all of that. Having used it again today I’d now say that slickness is a little better on the Milksteak. Post shave is definitely the strongest metric of Siero for me.
 

Keto

Forum GOD!
I used Grooming Dept’s Pura today, their unscented soap from the Lusso base, and I can definitely say that Siero is better. The GD had less slickness and an inferior post shave.
Good to know that comparison. I've got the scented Siero on the way and a G Dept Donkey base to try. I'm guessing GD Donkey milk base might be about the same as Lusso.
 

halvor

a most elusive fish
I'm guessing GD Donkey milk base might be about the same as Lusso.
Nope, not the same. Slightly outdated, but still relevant:

Side note, I have tried two iterations of Lusso and the earlier and softer (possibly first batch Veritas) is superior. The other is still a great soap, though. I’m also waiting on a Nai base soap, which is supposed to be his best, skin and post shave wise, and a Siero from Maggard’s. Looking forward to comparing.
 

p.b

Forum GOD!
I used Grooming Dept’s Pura today, their unscented soap from the Lusso base, and I can definitely say that Siero is better. The GD had less slickness and an inferior post shave.
Give it a few more goes Chris - I've previously found GD soaps sometimes finicky to dial in. They often don't need much water.
 

TheChrisC

Forum GOD!
Give it a few more goes Chris - I've previously found GD soaps sometimes finicky to dial in. They often don't need much water.
Oh it’s a very good soap, if I didn’t have the Siero it would be right up there. I’ll be using it solidly for the next few shaves so we’ll see where it takes me with your advice!
 
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Keto

Forum GOD!
Nope, not the same. Slightly outdated, but still relevant:

Side note, I have tried two iterations of Lusso and the earlier and softer (possibly first batch Veritas) is superior. The other is still a great soap, though. I’m also waiting on a Nai base soap, which is supposed to be his best, skin and post shave wise, and a Siero from Maggard’s. Looking forward to comparing.
Well I know it's not the "same" but others who love GD soaps say it's all good and difficult to tell them apart. I've only used 3 different ones of GD but there's a couple more of the $$ ones I've not used. People claim they are all basically the same, really good.
 

TheChrisC

Forum GOD!
Good to know that comparison. I've got the scented Siero on the way and a G Dept Donkey base to try. I'm guessing GD Donkey milk base might be about the same as Lusso.
I think I’ve not fully dialed it in yet but if it weren’t for Siero I’d be ranking it as the best unscented I’ve used yet. I’ve also got the Southern Witchcrafts coming in for comparison. There was considerably more animal funk on the GD compared to the Siero.
 

Marcos

Forum GOD!
The only unscented GD I haven’t tried was Pura but mainly since I’ve come to an unscientific conclusion that I just don’t like coconut oil soaps. I have got along great with all of the other unscented GD bases. Bare Siero has also treated me well but I’m still dialing that one in... no matter what I do it just keeps growing and growing as I lather and it’s very dense. Crazy how much water it can hold and how much it continues to build no matter what I do or how long I add water.
 

halvor

a most elusive fish
Well I know it's not the "same" but others who love GD soaps say it's all good and difficult to tell them apart. I've only used 3 different ones of GD but there's a couple more of the $$ ones I've not used. People claim they are all basically the same, really good.
Ah, sorry, I indeed see you did say ‘about the same’. Didn’t mean to come across as mr knowitallwhodidntproperlyread... FWIW, I notice differences between at least a few of the GD bases I’ve tried. Wasn’t too keen on the vegan and one specific tallow base; one too light in cushion, one too dense. But Mo keeps on changing and adding bases more frequently than some people change underwear, so... :wink:
 
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