I find shaving creams make a very efficient pre shave rather than soaps
I found I will NEVER get the same results from a single blade as I do from my 3blade or 5 blade cartridges. It takes multiple passes… I do the traditional with, across, and sideways shaving to get that super smooth shave. Always keeping in mind, I have to be extra careful with single blades as they are sooooo damn sharp.Hello all!
I am new in traditional shaving and I have a question about the differences of the various soaps/creams. The question is more general that's why I put it under general discussion.
I have been shaving for two months using the following: Rockwell 6C, perma sharp, a cheap mensu boar brush, and for lather I have tried erasmic cream, erasmic soap, TOBS cedarwood, Wilkinson's blue shaving soap. I also use glycerin soap as pre-shave. I have tried to fix razor and blade trying to improve on my technique.
Interestingly enough I had tried a few different blades at the very beginning and I didn't see any differences, which I suppose that it is due to my very poor technique. I haven't tried more blades recently (hopefully now my technique is better than the first days). In my shaves I still have irritation, however, it is manageable. Compared to before where I was using cartridges the irritation is way smaller. However, my technique is still not that good and I can't get the same quality of final result that I was getting with cartridges.
Now the main question is about the soaps/creams. First I was prudent enough to read the wikis in this website and I never had any problem in getting good lather. However, I can't see much of a difference in performance between e.g. TOBS and say erasmic cream, despite the very big difference in price. I grant that TOBS smells better and the lather seems better and it seems to be slicker, however, I don't get less irritation in comparison to erasmic soap or cream.
I suppose the reason is that my technique is still very poor and needs to be improved. I am wondering when other shavers started being able to distinguish among creams/soaps of different quality. In addition, I have a very oily skin and I am wondering whether this plays a role in the choice of cream/soap.
Thank you very much for your time for reading my post, I really appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Nick
Reading your post, I noted you mention your technique as much as soaps, and this reminded me of something I learned about my own as I first learned. I have a Gillette Adjustable, inherited, and though I tried all settings, I was still getting severe irritation; Essentially, I learned that I simply must NOT shave against the grain! As I was still recovering from the mess i made of my face one weekend, and shaved only with the grain to lessen the pain. Surprise! almost no irritation/worsening. Since then I've determined that I can go with or across, but not against, and had to learn how to pull my skin taut to get the closeness.Hello all!
I am new in traditional shaving and I have a question about the differences of the various soaps/creams. The question is more general that's why I put it under general discussion.
I have been shaving for two months using the following: Rockwell 6C, perma sharp, a cheap mensu boar brush, and for lather I have tried erasmic cream, erasmic soap, TOBS cedarwood, Wilkinson's blue shaving soap. I also use glycerin soap as pre-shave. I have tried to fix razor and blade trying to improve on my technique.
Interestingly enough I had tried a few different blades at the very beginning and I didn't see any differences, which I suppose that it is due to my very poor technique. I haven't tried more blades recently (hopefully now my technique is better than the first days). In my shaves I still have irritation, however, it is manageable. Compared to before where I was using cartridges the irritation is way smaller. However, my technique is still not that good and I can't get the same quality of final result that I was getting with cartridges.
Now the main question is about the soaps/creams. First I was prudent enough to read the wikis in this website and I never had any problem in getting good lather. However, I can't see much of a difference in performance between e.g. TOBS and say erasmic cream, despite the very big difference in price. I grant that TOBS smells better and the lather seems better and it seems to be slicker, however, I don't get less irritation in comparison to erasmic soap or cream.
I suppose the reason is that my technique is still very poor and needs to be improved. I am wondering when other shavers started being able to distinguish among creams/soaps of different quality. In addition, I have a very oily skin and I am wondering whether this plays a role in the choice of cream/soap.
Thank you very much for your time for reading my post, I really appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Nic
You seem to be on the right track Nick. Like so many things in shaving, and life for that matter, it’s a question of personal choice. Personally, I’m a soap man and like others here who’ve mentioned cost, yes, the more expensive soaps and creams might not necessarily the best for you, or me. Along with other disposables like blades I would say try them out and see what suits you. Only you will know what feels best for you.Hello all!
I am new in traditional shaving and I have a question about the differences of the various soaps/creams. The question is more general that's why I put it under general discussion.
I have been shaving for two months using the following: Rockwell 6C, perma sharp, a cheap mensu boar brush, and for lather I have tried erasmic cream, erasmic soap, TOBS cedarwood, Wilkinson's blue shaving soap. I also use glycerin soap as pre-shave. I have tried to fix razor and blade trying to improve on my technique.
Interestingly enough I had tried a few different blades at the very beginning and I didn't see any differences, which I suppose that it is due to my very poor technique. I haven't tried more blades recently (hopefully now my technique is better than the first days). In my shaves I still have irritation, however, it is manageable. Compared to before where I was using cartridges the irritation is way smaller. However, my technique is still not that good and I can't get the same quality of final result that I was getting with cartridges.
Now the main question is about the soaps/creams. First I was prudent enough to read the wikis in this website and I never had any problem in getting good lather. However, I can't see much of a difference in performance between e.g. TOBS and say erasmic cream, despite the very big difference in price. I grant that TOBS smells better and the lather seems better and it seems to be slicker, however, I don't get less irritation in comparison to erasmic soap or cream.
I suppose the reason is that my technique is still very poor and needs to be improved. I am wondering when other shavers started being able to distinguish among creams/soaps of different quality. In addition, I have a very oily skin and I am wondering whether this plays a role in the choice of cream/soap.
Thank you very much for your time for reading my post, I really appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Nick
Heya, I have been using nothing but "Mikes natural soaps" for a few years and it is STELLAR.Thank you everyone again for the comments.
@JCinPA certainly I don't downgrade TOBS. It has a very good quality lather and it feels more consistent than the rest that I have used. However my point was although it seems better to me, I eventually get the same irritation that I get the Erasmic. I certainly have a lot of things to learn but I am in a very good way and I am doing better than the cartridges.
@hairless wonder thank you for the clarification, now it makes more sense to me
@dotKomo yes post-shave routine is something I am working on. I shave every 2 days and most times I use alumblock (I was told not to use it every time and I followed the instructions). I like alumblock because my skin is very oily and I find that after using that it feels very nice for a long time. After alum block I use either a balm or some aftershave - I have Brut. I tend to like aftershave more, though it seems counterintuitive to me.
I think you nailed it. The slickness I'm getting with Proraso Blue is amazing. Even after my head and face are rinsed the razor still glides. That said I do enjoy their soap bowls very much.Actually ... think it does mean that soaps are better. At least in terms of performance, that's really kind of a objective standard ... slickness.
It's not like fragrance where your scent evaluation of something is purely subjective.
I think for a vast majority of cases a croap or hard soap is going to be more luxurious and creamy while having a higher amount of slickness... When compared to most creams.
But the good news is, that if creams work better for you, due to other, likely subjective factors, like perceived convenience, ease of loading, scent choice, brand name, etc, then you're going to be just fine because many of them still give very nice slickness and provide enjoyable shaves.
I could be wrong here. But that's the way i see it.
Greetings from Lynn Massachusetts. You are doing great. The technique will pop up when you least expect it. Sometimes a firmer brush like boar or mixed is better in soaps. The lower priced razorock soaps perform much higher. The extro soaps are not firm and are amazing. Have fun. Best regards Ron EastmanHello all!
I am new in traditional shaving and I have a question about the differences of the various soaps/creams. The question is more general that's why I put it under general discussion.
I have been shaving for two months using the following: Rockwell 6C, perma sharp, a cheap mensu boar brush, and for lather I have tried erasmic cream, erasmic soap, TOBS cedarwood, Wilkinson's blue shaving soap. I also use glycerin soap as pre-shave. I have tried to fix razor and blade trying to improve on my technique.
Interestingly enough I had tried a few different blades at the very beginning and I didn't see any differences, which I suppose that it is due to my very poor technique. I haven't tried more blades recently (hopefully now my technique is better than the first days). In my shaves I still have irritation, however, it is manageable. Compared to before where I was using cartridges the irritation is way smaller. However, my technique is still not that good and I can't get the same quality of final result that I was getting with cartridges.
Now the main question is about the soaps/creams. First I was prudent enough to read the wikis in this website and I never had any problem in getting good lather. However, I can't see much of a difference in performance between e.g. TOBS and say erasmic cream, despite the very big difference in price. I grant that TOBS smells better and the lather seems better and it seems to be slicker, however, I don't get less irritation in comparison to erasmic soap or cream.
I suppose the reason is that my technique is still very poor and needs to be improved. I am wondering when other shavers started being able to distinguish among creams/soaps of different quality. In addition, I have a very oily skin and I am wondering whether this plays a role in the choice of cream/soap.
Thank you very much for your time for reading my post, I really appreciate it.
Kind regards,
Nick
What kind of blade are you using? Are you face lathering?Thank you all for the additional information.
Despite having decided to stay with the same soap for some time to improve the technique, I will definitely try Arko sometime soon, since this is something I wanted to try a long time ago. Thank you for the other soap suggestions as well, I will see what I can find.
One comment was saying not to do against the grain. My experience is slowly starting to second that. I find that if I shave carefully across the grain the results that I get are very good and there is no reason to have against the grain. But of course still my technique is improving, only recently I can get good results from accros the grain.