Here we have it! Another winner from Synergy soaps today I will be reviewing Synergy's newest and seasonal artisan soap Pumpk'n 3.14 and, just in time too as the season is coming on us fast this year in the north-east. First off this should come with a warning as I opened the puck and literally not figuratively it smelled good enough to eat. As with all of Synergy soaps they are vegan friendly don't be hating on us vegans and contain all organic butters and oils such as Kokum, Mango, Cocoa, Avocado, PUMPKIN, Coconut and Neem oils and butters just to… Review: Synergy soaps Pumpk’n 3.14 Review: Synergy soaps Pumpk’n 3.14 Packaging Scent Lather Slickness 95 Overall- This seasonal limited edition soap from Synergy soaps is a true winner! whether used as a fall time pumpkin pie spiced shave soap or a summer delight paired with a bay rum after shave this soap pleases the senses in every way from scent to the feel on your face. Now read this review and go pick up a puck today!!!! User Rating: Be the first one !

Here we have it! Another winner from Synergy soaps today I will be reviewing Synergy’s newest and seasonal artisan soap Pumpk’n 3.14 and, just in time too as the season is coming on us fast this year in the north-east. First off this should come with a warning as I opened the puck and literally not figuratively it smelled good enough to eat. As with all of Synergy soaps they are vegan friendly don’t be hating on us vegans and contain all organic butters and oils such as Kokum, Mango, Cocoa, Avocado, PUMPKIN, Coconut and Neem oils and butters just to name a few ( there are more in there I have not mentioned as well as glycerin and powders ). This is a true soap once again fully saponified and ready to make those whiskers soft as can be, for that blade to slice through. As the saying goes as easy as slicing pumpkin…. pie….. pun intended. So on to the review we go.

Packaging

What a great spin on Synergy’s already cool classic design !!!! The handlebar mustachioed man in Synergy’s regular line was carefully transformed into his Halloween costume and became a pumpkin just for you! Whereas there was a blue man as you see is a pumpkin surrounded by much of what I see going on around me in the real world the autumn change of the leaves from green to hues of yellow, orange, red, and combinations of all the above. Of course I could not resist. I had to have the 5″ tin which holds 8 oz. but there was also an option to buy a smaller tin containing 5 oz. of this awesome mouth-watering soap. I keep going back to the eat it mode in my mind…… really it smells that good sorry I digress. Unlike the Cavendish, Vanetiver , or Bay Rum or other scent options Synergy offers this tin is a painted, probably baked finish of a gold/bronze color. I know this really makes little difference but, I noticed this did not have that tape seal that I had on previous purchases from Synergy. Deal breaker ? Not even close but I do think that was a nice touch maybe that could be added to this soap as well. Other than that spot on the lid fits perfect the soap filled the tin to the top and it was sent to me in a protective wrapped packaging ensuring my lather gold was safely going to make it to me. Winner !!!

Scent

Anyone say pumpkin pie ?!! There is the classic spice of pumpkin pie, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, as well as of course pumpkin. Blended to perfection the scent is spot on for the season and I might find myself hard separated from this soap as fall moves along and turkey day gets nearer and nearer. Another strong point to make and I never thought about it until I was reading another persons SOTD and saw they used a bay rum aftershave with this soap. I got thinking ( rare as that may be ) about the similarities between the two especially Pinaud as it is very clove forward and really does compliment the soap well other bay rum after shaves may not work as well clove forward is the key. To be more specific this soap though marketed for a seasonal soap really would be nice year round when using a bay rum after shave. Again Mr. Smythe spot on !!! the only thing I must warn you again this is a pumpkin pie in a soap so if you do not like pumpkin pie you just may after smelling this soap.

Lather

As with all of Synergy soaps the lather is a force to be reckoned with. This soap incorporates a few more ingredients to it than the standard offerings and I of course as with any soap I use for the first time did a heavy loading into my Semogue 830 which is a great brush but finicky so I basically made this the money part of the review as this is what is the most important part of a soap. DOES IT LATHER ? well I can confidently say yes and as again with all Synergy soaps is an explosive lathering experience. I did a 15 second clockwise 15 second counter-clockwise loading and again this was with a HOT brush as this soap works best between 90-140 degrees. The reason behind this is very simple an oil or butter stays more solid at a cooler temperature and the warmer it is the easier it is for those oils to adhere to your brush and to lather up on your face. I had enough lather for 4 maybe even 5 passes with this method so a 20 second loading with this particular brush is probably perfect for a 3 pass shave with touch ups. Now with my 1305 or my Edwin Jagger or Omega 63185 it would be more like 10 seconds or less as the saying goes YMMV in this department. Another great thing and the last to be mentioned in this portion of the review is Douglas Smythe artisan of this soap made I so this and all of his soaps will work great in hard or soft water so that right there is a huge deal. For the lather portion again, another huge thumbs up !!!

Slickness

Hold on tight you’re in for a ride !! I choose a 1922 Gillette new improved “New Standard” model to shave with today. this happens to be one of my more aggressive open comb razors I find the angle to be pretty unforgiving without proper preparation, a SLICK SOAP, and great technique. Well not a weeper, nick, or cut was to be had by the way did I mention this was with a Voskhod blade on its first use! The glide was perfect and I went through 3 passes and a 4th for fun using the method shaving technique and came out BBS with no tugging or irritation at all. When properly built the lather is second to none and as I expected from using other Synergy soaps was not disappointed at all in the slickness and glide. I even speed buffed on sensitive areas of my neck with ease and that to me says it all. I’m starting to wonder what this soap and brand cannot do as it seems perfect in every area. A lot of love went into this soap and that is very obvious.

This is what was still left after 4 passes and a 5th coating or moisturizing my skin.

Overall

This is a seasonal soap from a superior artisan soap maker. I would argue this could easily be a year round soap especially when paired with the correct after shave or balm but it really shines this time of year. What can I say this soap passes all the major test of a great soap with flying colors…. Packaging , scent , lather and slickness exceed the “best” soaps out there that are four times the cost I paid for this soap $13 on Etsy I will be using this soap again and again and will be in my rotation which is becoming smaller and smaller every time Synergy puts a new scent out. I highly recommend this brand in general and this limited edition particularly. So get it while you can, heck buy two or three as you will not regret it. From packaging to clean up a near perfect soap. To finish this review I actually asked Douglas about the 3.14 …… I understand the Pumpk’n but 3.14? Why? I actually laughed when he gave me the answer as a self-proclaimed math geek it was staring me in the face Pi or 3.14159 or an irrational number also represented 22/7 now in this case I think it has to do with the circumference of the tin and soap itself as the perfect size for a tin and loading a brush. also think of this as a really inventive way of saying pumpkin PI(e). Get it Pumpkin Pi!!!!!! LOL. I think that’s pretty creative. Tell me now that a lot of thought has not gone into this soap. Again Synergy team a huge thumbs up from us here on 365 Shaves.

— Aaron

Now I am ready for my day !!!!!