Shaving cream guy going for the first puck.

[Lakebound]

So what to get? I have used and really prefer shaving creams for shaving. For some reason when I use soaps, I get razor burn and dry skin. Tonight was a rare exception when I tried some of the Panna Crema that another member traded to me as a sample. I was really pleased with my shave tonight and so ......

What should I buy for myself? I have a soap bowl so, I simply would like to have a new puck of a quality soap to keep for special days. Here's what I don't like:

Haslinger - Dries out my skin
Cella - I know this is a favorite here and probably a great soap but, I cannot handle the smell of almonds.

So, my no-go list is small and I am asking what puck of quality soap would you guys recommend to a guy who would only use it once a week? I was thinking of picking up some of the MWF and calling it a day.

Any advice please for this shaving cream guy from you soap devotees would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Frank

 

[TacticalPanda]

Get Tabac. Super easy to lather, I love the scent, and I haven't found anything that out-performs it yet. You won't be disappointed. Only like $12 for a puck refill too. Make sure you're using enough water with your soaps too, sometimes when you use creams for a long time, you lose track of how much water a soap will accept. Should give you some more glide and protection from burn and dry skin.

 

[dogslife]

Get Tabac. Super easy to lather, I love the scent, and I haven't found anything that out-performs it yet. You won't be disappointed. Only like $12 for a puck refill too. Make sure you're using enough water with your soaps too, sometimes when you use creams for a long time, you lose track of how much water a soap will accept. Should give you some more glide and protection from burn and dry skin.

+1

 

[August West]

I'll go out on a limb:

View attachment 380951

 

[Mong.]

Tabac is a great soap, easy to load and lather while providing good cushion and protection. Arko is good for the same reasons, it's a bargain for the performance it provides. Both of them have scents that are distasteful to some; I enjoy both. I would suggest you go for Tabac of those two.

Alternatively, pick up a shave stick such as La Toja or Speick. They're an affordable and convenient (especially if you travel) way to try soaps.

 

[CalmAsHinduCows]

Get Tabac. Super easy to lather, I love the scent, and I haven't found anything that out-performs it yet. You won't be disappointed. Only like $12 for a puck refill too. Make sure you're using enough water with your soaps too, sometimes when you use creams for a long time, you lose track of how much water a soap will accept. Should give you some more glide and protection from burn and dry skin.

Since Cella is a no-go for you, I second the Tabac. The scent might not appeal to everyone, but the performance is excellent.

 

[FozzieBear1971]

If you have always been a cream shaver, I would not recommend MWF as your first puck of soap. Too difficult to lather.

Easy answer, as others have said, get Tabac. Simple to lather and better lather than MWF will give you.

 

[aimsport]

If after shave feel is important then I would choose Mike's Natural over Tabac.

Shame about not liking almond scent. That excludes a long list of fine soaps.

 

[mistercitizen]

Tabac.

Ben

 

[ClintO]

I haven't used Haslinger before but I've wanted to try it because I've seen it compared to MWF, so if you don't like Haslinger I would probably stay away from MWF as well. I would try the Tabac as that one's pretty good.

If you're looking for a good artisan that's easy to lather as a first soap, I think the Synergy shaving soaps are pretty great performers. I've tried the Pumpkin 3.14 and the Vanilla/Vetiver and both are pretty great. You have a bigger selection of scents going with them rather than the one scent of Tabac. I like other artisans as well(particularly Stirling) but I really think Synergy is a good starter.

Razorock would be another great soap to look at. My first soap was from Razorock and it's still one of my favorites. A lot of them are softer soaps and are pretty fantastic performers. I suggest XX or any of the King of the Castle line.

 

[mftoms59]

Tabac refill puck or Palmolive Shave Stick grated into your bowl.

 

[njpaddy]

You could always wait a couple of weeks for the new Valobra hard soap to hit vendors.

 

[CaderTheAlligator]

I am going to go against the grain and say that MWF would be a fine choice. Although some people have claimed that it is difficult to lather I have never had a problem. I use Marco's method and get a nice slick lather from it every time. But, that many recommendations for Tabac make that a good choice I'm sure.

 

[Lakebound]

I want to thank everyone for their advice and opinions. This forum is great and those who help others out are great folks. I really appreciate everyone's input and efforts to write down their reflections on what soap I should try. I do have some experience with a shave stick and in particular, Arko. That thing really lathered like their is no tomorrow but I could not get the scent.

So, even though it was offered as an alternative suggestion here I think I will go for a stick of Speick the next time I put an order in with my favorite vendor.

Thanks folks, I really do prefer creams but I am intrigued by the world of soap users here.

Frank

 

[wacomme]

Panna Crema. You've already tried it and liked it.

 

[Howie]

Williams.

 

[Lakebound]

Panna Crema. You've already tried it and liked it.

True, the shave with Panna Crema was different in that I did not experience dry skin or irritation but for me, lack of any discernible scent left me wanting. I have heard good things about the scent of Speick and so, I'll give it a go soon.

Thanks for the advice.

Frank

 

[chris.hale]

Tabac refill puck or Palmolive Shave Stick grated into your bowl.

Oi, what did that poor stick ever do to you? Use it as nature intended!

Seriously though, if you can find the European Palmolive stick with the "GUT 2,2" label it's an excellent soap with a mild scent that's unlikely to offend anyone. Some people insist on grating the poor things, but as a fan of shaving sticks I say try it as is.

 

[Lakebound]

Well, I have an update to share.

On my way home from work today I visited a local tobacconist who also carries a modest supply of wet shaving supplies. I wanted to actually put my nose to some product in my search for a soap that I could try with some success. While there, I sniffed at the Tabac as well as the Proraso White soap and decided against either.

So, going back to my familiar haunt I picked out a tube of the Proraso Red cream as well as a bottle of Proraso Blue A/S Balm and prepared to check out. And then, that little tub of Cella Soap cried out to me, begging for another chance. And while I find the scent of almond to be my least of favorites, I recalled all of the Cella lovers here and decided to give in and try the Cella once again !

Call me crazy but, there is something about the texture of the Cella that really intrigues me so I will give that soap another go and hope that perhaps the scent of almonds just might grow on me. I do intend to try the Speick line eventually too but for now, Cella will get the nod for tonight's shave bill.

Frank

 

[nav]

Speick stick is a fine choice...one of my all time favorites!

But don't wait too long before trying mwf. I certainly regretted waiting so long as it's by far my #1 soap and gets 95% use!