Okay – so it wasn’t a real ram – we all know that would’ve ended badly (for the ram I mean). But I did have the opportunity to check out the new Angry Ram product line from the Blushing Ovine Soap Company. Their soap line is all handmade here in East Tennessee using sheep’s milk from their farm. As luck would have it, they’ve also launched their Angry Ram men’s product line that includes everything from shave kits, beard products, and mechanics soap.
The kind folks over at Blushing Ovine, took notice of my mangled mess of a beard and decided I could use a little help. So they sent me a care package to try out. I opened the box to find a shave kit, beard oil, beard balm, and mechanics soap. Of course, if you’re like most people the first thing you do when you grab a new soap, oil, or balm, you shove your nose right up on it and you take a big deep breath. The first thing that struck me was how unique the scents were. Pipe tobacco, bourbon and sandalwood, oats and ale – holy cow if you could somehow bottle up what a real gentleman would smell like they’ve managed to do it. Plus, what I liked the most was that none of the scents were overpowering in any way. Completely subtle and just enough to bring back memories of your own dad or granddad puffing on his favorite pipe.
The shave kit was something that I’ve always wanted at the edge of my sink since I can always remember. Something about that brush and bowl that says “this is how a real man shaves”. Now if I could just get the nerve up to shave with a straight razor, I’d be alright. Never the less, I lathered that brush and gave my bald head the shave of it’s life. It was so much more satisfying that spurting the store bought goop into your palm and smearing it around. Plus, it was super smooth and slippery for the razor to run through.
The oil and balm kept the streak of good feelings rolling. I found that I had to use way less oil that I do from my usual product which was great, and the oatmeal scent somehow just feels comforting – like you just finished off a big bowl of it on a cold morning. The balm though – the Tipsy Woodsman may have won me over for life! Bourbon, sandalwood, and rosemary whipped up into some magical concoction of perfect. It’s left my beard brush smelling amazing.
Finally, the one product that I think we all take for granted until we’ve just been elbow deep into a project. And that’s the mechanic’s soap. I came in after doing some routine maintenance on Project Viper and my normal soap wasn’t touching the gunk and grime I had all over myself. Then I remembered that I had a fresh bar of mechanic’s soap waiting for me. This stuff is a powerhouse. I’ve used tons of hand cleaners before in a number of shops but they all left my skin feeling like they had some sort of greasy film on me, or I would still smell like I had been under a hood all day. When I used the Angy Ram soap, my hands and arms were smooth, soft, and smelled great. Again, some sort of magic is mixed up into this stuff that can’t be explained!
I can honestly tell you all this – you must give Blushing Ovine and their Angry Ram line a try. The products are amazing, but you are going to be blown away by their prices. I don’t think you can even touch most budget brands for what you will pay for these handmade soaps! I’ve included a list of the details of everything they sent me to try, as well as their Facebook and Instagram contacts, and web links throughout the article. Please show them some support. You’ll thank me later!
Shave Kit– Retail $20
Double walled stainless steel shave cup and a badger shave brush.
Poppa’s Pipe Tobacco Shave Soap – 2.5 oz bar of shave soap with scents of your grandfather’s pipe tobacco. This soap lathers well for a close shave leaving skin smooth and soft.
Angry Ram Beard Oil Oats and Ale Scent-Retail $10
Our beard oil fights itch and dandruff making your beard groomed and polished. The Oats and Ale scent is a sweet full blend of almond extract, creamy milk, maple, and roasted oatmeal. Apply a few drops a day to keep your beard moisturized.
Angry Ram Beard Balm Tipsy Woodsman Scent– $10
Our beard balm comes with all the benefits of our beard oil but supplemented by ingredients like beeswax and shea butter. Therefore it has all the perks of our beard oil but also allows you to shape, tame and keep your beard polished and groomed. The Tipsy Woodsman Scent has scents of bourbon, sandalwood and rosemary.
Mechanic’s Soap– Retail-$5
4.5 oz bar of handcrafted soap with the mechanic in mind. It is great for cutting grease! It’s smell will even remind you of your Dad’s garage.