Today, I am writing a quick review on Duke Cannon’s Gun Smoke Big Ass Brick of Soap, a brand I have been hearing about regularly and have wanted to try for some time.
The company has a bold, back-to-basics approach to its marketing strategy, creating products specifically aimed at men who may hail from simpler times. To quote them, “A time when instead of getting up before dawn to build railroads, men started going to the gym at 9 a.m. to ride pretend bicycles.”
They probably do have a point here, and seeing as this is a blog about all manly-smelling things, I can’t think of a better product to review on a Friday afternoon.
Where to buy
This company is relatively new to the market and is about as American as they come. All the products are manufactured in the US, with a proportion of the proceeds benefiting war veterans. If you are not in the US, you can still buy it online from websites like Amazon at a slightly higher price. I paid around £10 for it, which is up there, but I think it is still quite reasonable, all things considered.
Appearance
I like what they’ve done with the retro packaging design. The box looks more like a packet of shotgun cartridges than a soap bar, which ties in with the overall theme they are going for.
Furthermore, when they say “Big Ass Brick”, they weren’t kidding; the soap bar weighs around 10 oz and looks like it could do some damage. Judging by its size alone, I would estimate it will last at least three months, which is almost unheard of. Just try not to drop it on your foot in the shower.
Ingredients
This is not an all-natural bar of soap, and it isn’t advertised as such, which is fine by me. For those who are interested, I have listed the ingredients below.
Sodium Tallowate and/or Sodium Palmate*, Sodium Cocoate and/or Sodium Palm Kernelate, Water, Glycerin (Vegetable), Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Iron Oxide, Made with RSPO Certified Palm Oil
On a side note, for those who want a soap with only natural ingredients, I recommend Dr Bronner’s All-One Peppermint Pure-Castile Bar Soap, and you can check out my review of that here. Duke Cannon also has their own called the Buck Naked Natural Bar Soap, which may also be of interest to you.
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OLD SCHOOL — Eau de Toilette
Classic masculinity. Zero nonsense.
A clean, barbershop-inspired fragrance from the days when men walked out of the bathroom smelling like aftershave — not “Ocean Breeze Watermelon Mist.”
Built to showcase Vetiver at its best, Old School opens with bright blended citrus, moves into subtle spice, and settles into a warm mix of woods and earthy confidence.
A sharp, masculine, timeless scent that never goes out of style.
Price: £45
The scent
So the most crucial part is, what does it smell like? To me, it is woody, leathery and smoky with a hint of vanilla. I would imagine trying to get a bar of soap to smell like gun smoke would not be easy, and I think they have managed to get as close to it as possible without going overboard. It also has a metallic element that blends in well with the other notes.
Undoubtedly, the ingredients used here give it a distinctly masculine vibe, and I like it. However, one thing that surprised me was that it is a relatively mild-smelling soap that doesn’t linger on your skin or in the bathroom long. That isn’t necessarily bad for some, but I prefer something more substantial. Similar smoky soaps like The Grandpa Soap Pine Tar tend to perform better in this area. On the other hand, if you prefer mild soaps, this will suit you down to the ground.
Quality
It lathers up well and does an excellent job of cleaning you, and as far as quality and value for money are concerned, it’s pretty decent. I probably wouldn’t repurchase this soap as it’s too mild, but I would be willing to try others from their range. Let me know what you think.
I hope this review has been helpful to you, and stay tuned for more of my thoughts on the best and worst men’s products of all time (more of the best than the worst).
READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?
If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:
- FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
- Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.
👉 Pick the option that works best for you.
No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.
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It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.
I agree with your assessment. I like the mild scent and I find it last a good while after shower. Gun smoke is definitely one of favorites!
I love the midnight swim scent!
{ have been using this brand soap for about 10 years. I’ve tried many of the scents and they are all good – in my opinion. I find because of the size and cost. I cut the bar in half putting 1-half in the shower and 1-half in the box for later. It saves money but makes the bar last longer.
I consistently use Duke Cannon and love their soaps… the bars are big and they clean you well. As far as scents my 2 favorites would be “Naval Diplomacy” and “citrus musk”.