Wid's Cherry Almond - Releasing 7/18/26

An Italian Barbershop Classic

Notice: This version of Wid's Soaps – Cherry Almond has been reformulated and contains no nut oils. It is scented exclusively with synthetic fragrance oils and is blended at a lower fragrance oil concentration than the original formulation.

Some collaborations happen because they're good for business. This one happened because it's good for the soul.

I'm proud to add a new shave soap to my line in collaboration with my good friend, Rick Widner. And when I say "good friend," I truly mean it. Rick's friendship means the world to me. It's the kind that's built over years through trust, laughter, shared experiences, and a mutual appreciation for doing things the old-fashioned way—and doing them right.

Rick has always loved the classic Italian cherry-almond scent made famous by Cella Red. For years, he's made soap for himself using my old TCB1 formula, tweaking it the way only a true tinkerer can. Recently, he sent me a Cherry Almond soap he created, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it stopped me in my tracks.

I don't normally make "inspired by" fragrances. That's never really been my style. I prefer creating original scents that stand on their own. But this wasn't about copying anyone. It was about honoring a friend's favorite fragrance and sharing something he developed with his own hands, experience, and taste.

Why Rick Matters to Me

Rick has been a mentor to me in more ways than one.

He taught me most of what I know about Belgian coticules and how to hone on them the traditional way. If you've ever heard me speak confidently about coticules, much of that foundation came directly from Rick.

He's also one of the most generous people I've ever met in the straight razor community—not because he wants recognition, but because he genuinely enjoys helping others. He freely shares his time, knowledge, and experience with anyone willing to learn.

Rick has a straightforward, no-nonsense approach. No fluff. No myths. No magic dust. Just methods that work.

And yes... we may have unintentionally done a little damage to the coticule market. A few years ago, Rick and I bought so many coticules that I honestly think we influenced the market price. Between the two of us, we could probably open a museum dedicated to Belgian sharpening stones and still have extras left over. That still makes me laugh.

What makes me the proudest, though, is what we accomplished together.

At a time when misinformation had pushed coticules to the bottom of many people's recommendation lists, we helped bring them back into the spotlight where they belong. Through Rick's knowledge—and maybe a little of my charm—we helped remind people just how capable these stones really are. Today, traditional honing with coticules is once again part of the conversation, and that's something I'll always be proud of.

An Honor to Carry His Name

That's why I'm proud to offer this soap in a fragrance Rick truly loves, and why it's an honor to have his name on the label.

I hope this is only the beginning. I'd love to add more Wid's Soaps collaborations to my line over the years because, like our friendship, I hope this partnership lasts a very long time.

Thank you, Rick, for the inspiration, for the countless hours you spent teaching me, and most of all, for your friendship.

Scent Notes

Top: Black Cherry, Strawberry, Banana

Heart: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Almond

Base: Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood

Profile: A deep, warm Italian barbershop fragrance built around rich cherry and almond, supported by soft florals, creamy vanilla, warm sandalwood, and clean musk for a smooth, masculine finish.

Ingredients - Brangus 2.1 Louisiana Grass Fed Beef Tallow, Stearic Acid, Aloe Vera Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Coconut Milk, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Oat Milk, Duck Fat, Mango Butter, Cocoa Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Honey, Lanolin, Dudu Osun Black Soap, Jojoba Oil, Tussah Silk