Any help appreciated
Are shaving creams superior to shave soap?
- Thread starter Aesch37
- Start date
Chef455
Head Cheese Head Chef
Different, not superior. Some soaps creams are great others not so much. I typically face lather with soaps and bowl lather with creams. That's not to say that one can't face lather a cream or bowl lather a soap. Confused yet? Pick a reputable soap or cream in a scent you like and start shaving. You'll have it down in no time.
100% personal preference IMO. Some like single edge razors, some like straights and some like double edge. Soap vs. Cream is the same. I personally love both but tend to use hard soaps 90% of the time.
They're the same: the cream is just a soap with water in it. You can pay for that, or add your own at home... 
Started out with creams. Now I prefer soaps. Every once in a while I’ll use a cream.
Either will work. Creams already have a lot of water in them, building a lather is a little easier, so people find them convenient. I use both, but prefer using soaps. Creams tend to have more junk chemical ingredients than soaps do, generally.
No, they are not. There are levels of quality in most products, but assuming like purchases the lather will be virtually identical - also assuming you're getting the best lather from each.
I used creams for a long time and at some point curiosity brought me to soaps. I'm not sure I can articulate why, but now I only use soap. The switch did not change the quality of my shaves.
Use what makes you happy.
I used creams for a long time and at some point curiosity brought me to soaps. I'm not sure I can articulate why, but now I only use soap. The switch did not change the quality of my shaves.
Use what makes you happy.
If you don't mind spending a few dollars I suggest looking at the Proraso soaps and creams. Proraso is an excellent product and their prices won't brake the bank. Purchase one cream and one soap and experiment for yourself. I myself like the creams they leave some slickness just for a buff up.
To me creams are easier to use and for me face lathering beats bowl lathering. FYI I have some Speick out for delivery. Get a small sample of Bigelow from Amazon for $6.
Either/both.
Certainly there are differences between brands, but I've yet to find a soap or cream that won't shave. I select mine by scent.
Certainly there are differences between brands, but I've yet to find a soap or cream that won't shave. I select mine by scent.
I used a few creams in the beginning, but would consistently reach for soap. I just prefer the process of using a hard soap. Both are good, depends on what you dig most. I support variety!
They are both soaps, in different forms 
Lockback
Dull yet interesting
I preferred Cremo shave cream(s) when I first started and use them frequently with great results. It's easy to use but doesn't lather and you don't use a brush. You simply smear a small amount ("almond-sized") on your wet face and get to work. It's really slick and I like some of their scents, particularly the Original Classic and Bourbon Vanilla.
Increasingly, I've migrated to shave soaps, particularly Stirling Soaps, primarily because you can buy sample sizes at reasonable prices that you can get a lot of shaves out of. I also like Proraso Green. None of these are expensive and all work extremely well. I enjoy the ritual of whipping up the lather with the brush, etc. But both creams and soaps work well.
Increasingly, I've migrated to shave soaps, particularly Stirling Soaps, primarily because you can buy sample sizes at reasonable prices that you can get a lot of shaves out of. I also like Proraso Green. None of these are expensive and all work extremely well. I enjoy the ritual of whipping up the lather with the brush, etc. But both creams and soaps work well.
CzechCzar
Use the Fat, Luke!
are blondes better than brunettes? are sandwiches better than burritos? is coke better than pepsi?
Yes...and no
Cream is easier and faster than soap.
Chef455
Head Cheese Head Chef
Funnily enough, I feel the opposite. My favorite creams feel really thick to me, and hard soaps always feel kind of thinner. I like both but prefer not using a brush so usually use a cream.
Creams are easier, faster to use.....and I will use them now with a floppy badger or horse brushes (because these brushes are useless for use with a hard soap).
I do think a good soap is better than a good cream.....or maybe if both are prime, very similar in lather quality.
Now that someone mentioned Proraso, here I like their creams but don't the soaps.....(both leave a chalky residue that sticks to brush and razor)- this is the case w my water at two different locations.....
Hard soap will last longer (more uses).
I will say most soaps are in the middle of price and quality...... and there are some outliers.....on both sides of the curve.
Speick cream is way better than their soap!!!
I do think a good soap is better than a good cream.....or maybe if both are prime, very similar in lather quality.
Now that someone mentioned Proraso, here I like their creams but don't the soaps.....(both leave a chalky residue that sticks to brush and razor)- this is the case w my water at two different locations.....
Hard soap will last longer (more uses).
I will say most soaps are in the middle of price and quality...... and there are some outliers.....on both sides of the curve.
Speick cream is way better than their soap!!!
