Gents, what is your favorite soap for a straight razor shave? I just started out with straights. So far my favorite one is Tabac. I am quickly finding out that my favorite soaps for DE shaving are not equally as good with a straight. What do you guys think?
Best soap for straight razor shave?
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I agree that the soaps I used to use for DE shaving are no longer in my rotation now that I shave with a straight every day. My favorite is Tabac as well, not just performance but scent as well. The others that I like are: Barriser & Mann, I colonial and Panna Crema.
I have made much the same experience since I switched to straights. I find that some soaps lack the level of protection that I crave when straight shaving. So whilst Tabac, Sir Irisch Moos, Wilkinson Shave Stick, C&S and Joris have qualified, others such as Cade, Arko and Palmolive will not necessarily do so.
One of the biggest changes for me when I switched to a straight was having to change how I made lather. I used to make very thick lather that was not runny; this caused me a lot of pain literally and figuratively while learning a straight. I actually switched entirely to creams for about a month. Eventually my lathers improved and so did my technique and now I am back to making pretty thick lathers again, but I still am using more water than before when I was using a DE. Keep at and your old favorites will come back to your rotation, that being said Tabac is the best lather for any type of shaving IMO.
With a straight, I value slickness first, and body a close second. For me, a soap doesn't need to make big, poofy lather. It needs to maintain a thin layer between the blade and my skin. Some of my favorites are: Valobra soft soap, Klar Kabinett, RazoRock King Louis, and Institut Karite.
I really don't differentiate with soaps when it comes to the razor I'm using.....except if it is a stick.
I'm not a fan of any stick other than Tabac or LaToja when using a straight. Arko, Derby, Palmolive, and Boots just seem to lack something when used with a straight blade but are just fine with a DE.
Otherwise C&E, Cade, LaToja Manantiales, Klar Kabinette, or Muhle all do well with any of my straights.
Of course Cella, Proraso, Razorock all do great as well if soft soaps are included in the equation.
I'm not a fan of any stick other than Tabac or LaToja when using a straight. Arko, Derby, Palmolive, and Boots just seem to lack something when used with a straight blade but are just fine with a DE.
Otherwise C&E, Cade, LaToja Manantiales, Klar Kabinette, or Muhle all do well with any of my straights.
Of course Cella, Proraso, Razorock all do great as well if soft soaps are included in the equation.
For straights I use a thicker yogurt like lather. Thin it up for DE use. Here are some that work well for me:
Boellis Panama 1924 soap,
Martin de Candre scented or Fougere soap,
Floris JF or No 89 soap,
Klar Seifen Rasierseife Klassik or Sport soap,
Any cream by DRH, GFT, Al's, Santa Maria Novella...
Easy to go on as there are so many good products to be had.
Of over thirty soaps and creams I have in use only three don't work well with my straights. Those work with DEs and I am experimenting with them, super lathering, for the straights. For the greatest part it is just finding what lather consistency you prefer, and preparing the soap or cream accordingly.
Assuming the use of a reasonable soap or cream what is more important is the condition of your straight blade, how you maintain it, and your technique.
Boellis Panama 1924 soap,
Martin de Candre scented or Fougere soap,
Floris JF or No 89 soap,
Klar Seifen Rasierseife Klassik or Sport soap,
Any cream by DRH, GFT, Al's, Santa Maria Novella...
Easy to go on as there are so many good products to be had.
Of over thirty soaps and creams I have in use only three don't work well with my straights. Those work with DEs and I am experimenting with them, super lathering, for the straights. For the greatest part it is just finding what lather consistency you prefer, and preparing the soap or cream accordingly.
Assuming the use of a reasonable soap or cream what is more important is the condition of your straight blade, how you maintain it, and your technique.
DR Harris is serving me well at the moment, the silky smooth lather seems to be helping that blade just glide!
Just a little bit wetter of a lather, and you can generally use whatever you want, or did before.
You're looking for a quality in the lather called slip. I'm no soap expert, but I've heard and read that it has to do with the use of clays in the formulation. Other ingredient combinations probably play a part, too. Tabac has always been a very good soap for straight use, for me anyway. MWF is also very good, but it doesn't have the slip Tabac has, so I adjust accordingly by modifying the stroke and angle of the blade.
Someone mentioned Valobra, this is an excellent choice. Panna Crema is awesome, but lotsa luck landing some. I haven't tried any yet, but Barrister & Mann has been getting some good press around here, and a visit to the website gives you a little insight into what shaving soap is about. Honestly, any soap or cream in my rotation has never failed to perform on a straight razor shave, but I agree with you that there are differences between brands.
Don
Someone mentioned Valobra, this is an excellent choice. Panna Crema is awesome, but lotsa luck landing some. I haven't tried any yet, but Barrister & Mann has been getting some good press around here, and a visit to the website gives you a little insight into what shaving soap is about. Honestly, any soap or cream in my rotation has never failed to perform on a straight razor shave, but I agree with you that there are differences between brands.
Don
My go to straight razor lathers are Stirling Anise and RazoRock King Louis.
thinner and SLICK for shaving with my Feather AC SS. Stirling Anise and Frozen Tundra accomplish this easily.
Then, I noticed with my DE that I no longer like the big fluffy lather. I want the slickness for that, too!
I think too many focus too much on lather volume instead of what really matters: Slickness and protection. Stirling soaps offer all I need.
Then, I noticed with my DE that I no longer like the big fluffy lather. I want the slickness for that, too!
I think too many focus too much on lather volume instead of what really matters: Slickness and protection. Stirling soaps offer all I need.
What he said. For me, I've moved away from glycerine based soaps and shifted towards tallow
This is entirely personal opinion but I've tried many soaps and have couple favorites. Nothing works better than Edwin Jagger for me. I don't know why, it just does. BTW, I shave with straights only and have for quite a while (years). I also like Tabula Rasa and Klar Klassik.
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Tabac
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I often wonder why I keep buying soaps outside of Tabac. It is already perfect! That and Cella off the brick of course.
But smell partout.
I'm a Tabac man myself, it never lets me down. I also use Dr. Harris with good results. I hear others on the forum really enjoy Mitchells Wool Fat as well, but I have hard water here and don't want to fight with it. I find MWF a bit too temperamental. Enjoy your shave!
