Sportsman Oud Noir Review: Shave Dad Collab

Author: Tobin Fetters

Welcome to an outdoor shave review from the banks of the Mackenzie River. I tested Sportsman, a collaboration between Jerry Plesia of Shave Dad, Andy Amaya of The Wet Shaving Store, and Fernando of Master Soap Creations. This post covers the fragrance, performance, and why this soap and splash are worth your attention.

Why this collaboration matters

This project brings together three names many wet shavers know and trust. Jerry runs the Shave Dad community and curates a friendly space for discussion. Andy owns The Wet Shaving Store and handles distribution. Fernando crafts the soap base at Master Soap Creations. The result is a six ounce soap tub and matching splash presented as a homage to Versace Oud Noir. I received the set from Andy and Jerry for review. I earn nothing from sales. I do this because I enjoy supporting friends and because this product deserves attention.

Quick summary

• Soap size: 6 oz tub
• Price: around $21.99 for the soap, splash sold separately
• Soap base: high tier artisan base from Master Soap Creations
• Fragrance type: oriental woody, Oud Noir inspired
• Best for: late summer, fall, and cool evenings

First impressions and family feedback

I tested the set over several shaves. My wife Alexis and daughter Emily are fragrance heads and provided scores. Alexis loved it and gave a 10 out of 10. She wanted to give more. Emily scored it an 8. I gave it a 10. This level of consensus is rare and speaks to the fragrance polish.

If you want to join the conversation around Shave Dad, start with the community on Facebook here: Shave Dad Group.

How it feels in the hand and on the face

The soap base is excellent. It scoops and builds with little effort. The lather strength sits around 3.5 to 4 out of 5 by my assessment. That means you get a light whipped texture that still offers good glide and protection. The splash has a strong but not overpowering scent projection. I rated the splash around 4 out of 5 for strength.

I used a Rockwell 6C razor and Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Platinum blades. Those blades pair well with this soap and are available in travel tins at The Wet Shaving Store when you buy soaps from them.

Fragrance breakdown

Below I describe the fragrance journey in three stages: top, heart, and base.

Top notes

• Fresh black pepper crackle, sharp and dry
• Orange zest, bright and energetic without sugary sweetness
• Neroli that adds a luminous floral lift

The opening is refined and clean. The pepper snaps you awake. The orange keeps the top from being heavy, while neroli lends an elegant edge.

Heart notes

• Saffron introduces a leathery, warm heat
• Cardamom smooths and brings a creamy spice
• Frankincense provides resinous depth

The middle is where the fragrance becomes rich. Saffron gives leathery warmth. Cardamom keeps it creamy. Frankincense moves the scent toward a resinous, contemplative space.

Base notes

• Oud that is dark, primal, and woody
• Patchouli that grounds without dominating
• A leather-like nuance that is subtle and later in the dry down

The oud is the star in the base. It gives the scent the Noir persona it aims for. Patchouli supports without turning boozy or dirty. The leather note shows up in the splash more than in the soap lather.

Leather or leatherwood? A note on nuance

The sales copy lists leather. Personally I suspect leatherwood or saffron-driven leathery facets rather than straight raw leather. Leatherwood is a tree with a softer, drier, honeyed nuance. Saffron can also deliver leathery impressions. Either way, the finish reads more suede-like and nuanced than aggressive leather.

I dug into this to be precise, but the exact ingredient source is less important than the effect. The finish is elegant and woody, not rough or abrasive.

Performance on the shave

The lather builds fast and rinses clean. Protection is solid for a light-to-medium soap. The splash strength gives you a lingering scent that sits close to the skin through the day. Longevity is good for an artisanal splash and soap combination. Expect several hours of presence and a nice dry down that reveals the oud and patchouli.

If you want the Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Platinum blades I used, they are often available in 100-count travel tins at The Wet Shaving Store. They are sharp, affordable, and a community favorite.

When and where to wear Sportsman

This is a refined, versatile oriental woody fragrance. It works well for:

• Church or formal settings
• Work or office where a polished scent is welcome
• Cooler evenings, late summer, and fall

It is not a hot weather gourmand. In most climates you can comfortably wear it from late summer through spring.

How it compares to Versace Oud Noir

Sportsman is a tribute to Versace Oud Noir. It captures the oriental woody spirit with a bright top, a saffron-leather heart, and a deep oud base. If you like Oud Noir, this is an affordable artisan take that stands on its own.

Final verdict

This is one of the best oud-forward artisan scents I have tried recently. It earns a spot on my list for the season and could easily be a top fragrance in artisan releases. The soap base and splash performance are both strong and balanced. Family approval was unanimous in enthusiasm.

If you want to start your Master Soap Creations journey, Sportsman is a smart entry. You can find the Shave Dad Sportsman collection and related collaborations here: Shave Dad Collaborations. The Wet Shaving Store also carries the Rockwell 6C and travel tins I mentioned: Wet Shaving Store.

Parting thought

A tiny piece of old-man wisdom: focus on the things you have in common with people, not the things you do not. Building on common ground makes life healthier, happier, and less stressful. That is the little big thing I want to leave you with today.

Thanks again to Andy, Jerry, and Fernando for sending this set. If you enjoyed this review, sign up for updates and share your experience with Sportsman in the comments.

Warm regards,

Tobin Fetters

( It’s the little big things! )

Enjoyed this review? Consider joining the Shave Dad community and checking stock at The Wet Shaving Store to support small-business artisans.

This content has been published with permission from the original author. This post was created from it’s original source using artificial intelligence.