I'm kind of still trying to find my way round with shampoo bars, and I was wondering if anyone has tried soaps from each of these makers before; perhaps with different experiences.

What did/didn't you like and are there any concrete differences in the results?

Thank you! :D

Ashley, may I gently point you in this direction:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?p=27050#post27050

20 pages of talk about poo bars, with plenty of shop talk about the two makers you just mentioned :)

A direct comparison?
I've been using bars (CV) since November, and I just got two Iowa Soapworks (PLH) bars in a swap.
I had the "waxies" thread at TBB.

While I like the CV variety, I really, really like the cleansing with PLH/ Iowa Soapworks.
In hard water, the vinegar is less needed with IS/PLH.
I think I can go an extra day w/o washing with IS.

I think the CVs are more moisture. IS seems more cleansing (as many folks have said.)

I have tried both and vastly prefer the CV bars. I have very hard water and tried the PLH since so many other with water like mine prefer them, but my hair doesn't seem to have gotten the memo that it is supposed to like them better. The PLH gave me the waxies even with a very strong ACV rinse and made my skin all tight.

I've never tried poo bars, since I decided to go CO a while back, I gave up on the idea of poo bars, though they are very appealing.
I do remember that you ca buy small sample bars from CV, not sure if you can from PLH (don't remember, but I bet you can), but if you can, I'd suggest trying out both. Different ingredients could react differently with your hair, so I would make sure you don't entirely give up on one brand just because your hair doesn't like beer and egg or something.