Advice needed. Do soaps matter?

[Jack Goossen]

I would say ultimately no. If a soap didn’t do it’s job, then it wouldn’t be on the market.
However, not all soap is as easy to lather, is the same, so there may be minor tricks you need to learn for each of them.

I got some suggestions: lather for 5 minutes and use more water.
You know some more tricks?

 

[Jack Goossen]

It's a stinky one for some, but the original Tabac puck is really hard to beat. Arko is great, GREAT! but dries out some folks, especially in Winter.

Just my two cents, and probably werth both pennies my friend!

Another one for my list. I sprayed a little Tabac AS on my wrist in a shop, the smell is okay.

 

[Jack Goossen]

It does matter when comparing RazoRock soaps to almost anything else. They just don't stack up performance-wise in my experience.

How come?

 

[JCarr]

I ordered some Stirling soaps and am still in my exploration stage.
Have some Dutch soaps, haven't used them yet.
Same goes for two Haslinger soaps.

Your comment sounds logical to me, but not everybody seems to agree.
I will give the Razorock a third chance, though.

I have found that...if I'm using a soap that is just ok on the slickness and protection spectrum...I put a little slickening agent in it to up it a notch. For me, that's either OPR or Cremo which I use for pre-shave.

 

[JPO]

Thank God, my wife ordered the MdC wooden bowl for my birthday.

You have something to look forward to I like the Vetiver and the Fougere. I like to try the rose scent. They last a long time. I would even say they are good value.

 

[Jack Goossen]

I have found that...if I'm using a soap that is just ok on the slickness and protection spectrum...I put a little slickening agent in it to up it a notch. For me, that's either OPR or Cremo which I use for pre-shave.

adding olive oil??

 

[Jack Goossen]

I would say ultimately no. If a soap didn’t do it’s job, then it wouldn’t be on the market.
However, not all soap is as easy to lather, is the same, so there may be minor tricks you need to learn for each of them.

What a fantastic moustache, btw.

 

[Jack Goossen]

You have something to look forward to I like the Vetiver and the Fougere. I like to try the rose scent. They last a long time. I would even say they are good value.

Phew

 

[Jack Goossen]

It does matter when comparing RazoRock soaps to almost anything else. They just don't stack up performance-wise in my experience.

Oh, lala...

 

[JCarr]

adding olive oil??

I'll leave that up to you. He he...

OPR and Cremo are actually shave soaps unto themselves. Brushless products. I apply them by hand. OPR is in a pump and Cremo is in a tube.

 

[Jack Goossen]

I'll leave that up to you. He he...

OPR and Cremo are actually shave soaps unto themselves. Brushless products. I apply them by hand. OPR is in a pump and Cremo is in a tube.

US products?

 

[JCarr]

US products?

I believe so. Cremo can be found in our retail drugstores. My local Walgreens has two kinds of Cremo. But I usually get it from Amazon.

https://smile.amazon.com/Cremo-Orig...3&sr=1-1-5e1b2986-06e6-4004-a85e-73bfa3ee44fe


https://smile.amazon.com/Sandalwood...8,B08MCM3QMD,B001UTORJA,B085HZ86M7,B01CXK1VJ8

 

[ivan_101]

My tutors on this forum suggested I use the same razor and blade for 4 weeks to focus on my technique and develop from there. I've been doing this for over a week and it works out great.
However: I decided to work on my lathering technique with a soap that I didn't like earlier. This soap, was praised by some on the forum. Since I now use a bowl for lathering, I decided to give this soap (Razorock xXx) another chance. It lathered much better in the bowl, so I thought I would use it instead of my usual and excellent soap, the Fine Accoutrements Snake Bite.
And although the shaving result was good, my standard Muehle R41 and Gillette Platinum felt raw. Not gliding, but rasping. I had zero nick, nor irritation, but did not enjoy the shave as I usually do.
I am a bit confused now: does soap matter this much?
Your opinion is appreciated.

Of course soap does matter that much. Sometimes it can ruin your shave. They told you right to stay for a long time with one razor and blade, but that applies to the soap as well.

 

[FarmerTan]

Of course soap does matter that much. Sometimes it can ruin your shave. They told you right to stay for a long time with one razor and blade, but that applies to the soap as well.

Unless that soap is garbage, of course. Drop it as soon as possible if it's garbage. Better canned foam than a soap that bothers your skin.

Yes, my name IS Mr Obvious. Why do you ask?!?

 

[ivan_101]

Unless that soap is garbage, of course. Drop it as soon as possible if it's garbage. Better canned foam than a soap that bothers your skin.

Yes, my name IS Mr Obvious. Why do you ask?!?

Some creams just leave me with a burning for many hours. Denim comes to mind. Tried to use it 7-8 years ago. Then 2 years ago bought it again. Same burning.

 

[AimlessWanderer]

Lather matters. The quality of your lather depend on the product, your water chemistry, your brush, and your method/technique.

So yes, soap matters, but it is only one factor in getting a good lather.

Now, as to what actually makes a "good" lather, that's where it gets subjective. Some want "cushioning", but I absolutely DO NOT! It ruins my shaves. I prefer thin and wet, with slickness behind the primary goal.

Tweak, adjust, experiment. With time, you'll find you can get a decent lather with most soaps.

 

[Ivo4u2]

Both soaps should work very capable.
It takes some trying before you have the right ratio water soap though and even then some razors/blade combos somehow never match that soap.

 

[Jack Goossen]

Both soaps should work very capable.
It takes some trying before you have the right ratio water soap though and even then some razors/blade combos somehow never match that soap.

I have a lot to explore!

 

[Jack Goossen]

Lather matters. The quality of your lather depend on the product, your water chemistry, your brush, and your method/technique.

So yes, soap matters, but it is only one factor in getting a good lather.

Now, as to what actually makes a "good" lather, that's where it gets subjective. Some want "cushioning", but I absolutely DO NOT! It ruins my shaves. I prefer thin and wet, with slickness behind the primary goal.

Tweak, adjust, experiment. With time, you'll find you can get a decent lather with most soaps.

The water is very hard in my city. Does that influence (some) soaps?

 

[Jack Goossen]

I believe so. Cremo can be found in our retail drugstores. My local Walgreens has two kinds of Cremo. But I usually get it from Amazon.

https://smile.amazon.com/Cremo-Orig...3&sr=1-1-5e1b2986-06e6-4004-a85e-73bfa3ee44fe


https://smile.amazon.com/Sandalwood-Soothing-Foam-Free-Superior-Lubrication/dp/B00U0RYTBY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=OPR+Shave+soap&qid=1635970883&qsid=134-3011616-2213755&s=beauty&sr=1-1&sres=B00U0RYTBY,B00U0RYTD2,B00U4F62JO,B00U4FQBZ4,B00U4FQBYK,B09673LX9L,B08KQLKM6L,B0969862KH,B094JQJP42,B096WKY9TD,B08CGMXK7Q,B092CJB1BK,B01F2LFXGC,B00U4G4646,B09DB5WLBV,B09C2RZ378,B08MCM3QMD,B001UTORJA,B085HZ86M7,B01CXK1VJ8

Cremo Barber Grade Original Shave Cream, Astonishingly Superior Ultra-Slick Shaving Cream Fights Nicks, Cuts and Razor Burn, 6 Oz​

Sounds like miracle cream