Pine Tar Soap

[Jambo]

All I can really find over here is Grandpa's pine tar soap, which seems like good stuff anyway, but I'm curious if anyone else makes/sells the stuff over here in the U.K.?

What's everyone on here's opinion of the stuff, a fair few people seem to use it.

Where does everyone on here get theirs from? I've ordered some from Outdoorcode, but it's ten days and counting and it's not here yet. At £1 postage can't really complain I suppose...

 

[Toadflax]

It's pretty cheap from www.raymears.com: £2 for a bar with free postage (I have no connection with them, etc.). I like to use it when my wife lets me! (She doesn't like the smell).


Geoff

 

[underground]

I bought some handmade from a US based guy on the 'Bay. All gone now and can I for the life of me remeber him?!

All I can say is, it was awesome stuff - I tried Grandpa's but it's nothing like.

 

[Oakleaf]

I like the Grand Pa version and use it whenever can.

I'm the original Mr Sensitive Skin and it is very good ( for me ) in that respect. Makes a fair shaving soap too.

Spoke with the manufacturer and they advised Ray M was the chief UK purchaser from them.

Do find it wears down quite fast. Didnt think I was that frequently clean.... then again I've a lot of 'area' to cover!

 

[Dingo]

Try Wilkinsons, or Wilko's as we call it, they seem to carry old pine tar soap, for those who hate the smell, they also stock some shocking old fashioned lemon citrus soap, the mossies dont like that either, worth a try!

Adam.

 

[redcollective]

I bought some handmade from a US based guy on the 'Bay. All gone now and can I for the life of me remeber him?!

All I can say is, it was awesome stuff - I tried Grandpa's but it's nothing like.

It wasn't this mob was it?

 

[falling rain]

I use wrights coal tar soap. I've used this since I was in the Army and love the smell. It's got antiseptic ingredients and some tea tree oil in it too. Not sure if it's any good for repelling mozzies as I never wash when I'm out camping.
http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Wrights_Coal_Tar_Soap_Original.html

It's available everywhere.

 

[PhilParry]

It wasn't this mob was it?

Have you tried this stuff Red?

I use Grandpa's Old Pine Tar soap and for 10 bars of the stuff it adds up, although its one of the best soaps out there. I used it exclusively during my trip to the Ardeche this year and didn't get bitten once, whilst others got nicely eaten alive:yelrotflm . Surprised me as it's usually the other way around.:bluThinki

P

 

[redcollective]

I"ll let you know - 10 bars on the way.

 

[Bruce Letto]

I´ve ordered this a while ago and the delivery was really quick.

Great stuff!! I can recommand it!!

 

[Jambo]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

Bruce, did you order it from raymears.com?

 

[redcollective]

Phil,

Got a delivery of the handmade pine tar soap from the US today - you up for a direct comparison with he Grandpas stuff? I'll send you a bar to test if you like? PM me.

Stuart

 

[Jambo]

I got the bars of Grandpa's a few days back, granted I'm not the smallest bloke but I've only used the stuff six times in the shower and it's almost half gone!

Is this normal? I really like the stuff but it's going to cost me a sodding fortune and be a royal pain having to order the stuff all the time if I keep on going through it at this rate!!!

 

[Bruce Letto]

Thanks for all the replies folks.

Bruce, did you order it from raymears.com?

Hey Jambo,

No I ordered mine via eBay, the same as Red did

I will try the stuff from Ray Mears as well in a while to compare

Let you know

 

[Jambo]

Cheers mate.

I'm kind of tempted to get some of the stuff off ebay now to compare it. I love the Grandpa's stuff, but it's wearing down at a amazing rate.

 

[redcollective]

Cheers mate.

I'm kind of tempted to get some of the stuff off ebay now to compare it. I love the Grandpa's stuff, but it's wearing down at a amazing rate.

Hold that thought Jambo - I'm sending Phil a bar today to compare - maybe wait till he gives his impression?

 

[PhilParry]

Hold that thought Jambo - I'm sending Phil a bar today to compare - maybe wait till he gives his impression?

And I'll be sending Red some Grandpa's so we can both make direct comparisons....

It'll be interesting to see how the other soap fairs in terms of wear as Grandpa's seems to go reasonably quickly IMHO.

 

[Eric_Methven]

My 10 bars arrived this morning from the ebay seller. Looks good, smells nice and I'll be giving it a workout later tonight.

Good value for the money and a seven day turnaround from the States, can't be bad.

Eric

 

[Jambo]

Great, thanks red. I might have to give the shower gel a bash though!

 

[redcollective]

Well I never thought I'd be putting my opinion of toiletries on a bushcraft forum but here goes anyway...

My impressions of the ebay stuff:

Doesn't foam a huge amount unless you really work it up into a lather (but perhaps that's my West Yorkshire water??) - which could be an advantage if you are washing with limited water and don't want to have to wash off a load of suds. That's just my preference though.

It's not quite as pine tarry as I expected - but probably adequately so. Feels quite 'fatty' and doesn't leave your skin dry.

It is *useable* as a shave lather, but perhaps a bit drying.

Does a passable job on my beard.

I like it for the price - but perhaps wish it had a bit more stink.

The wife likes it.


I'll see how it compares to the more expensive Grandpa's version.