As a newbie my experience with soaps and creams is very limited. So far I have only used Arko. AOS cream. and Col Conk almond soap. What favorites are out there as my shave funds are limited and I cant afford to make bad choices. That's why I'm hoping my B&B bros can help me weed out mistakes. Thanks.
Soap. Cream. Advice and recommendations
- Thread starter tlentz
- Start date
I've only been DE shaving for about a year, but I've found that soaps give me the best shave. I've tried a few soaps and so far, DR Harris Arlington is the best performer for me, followed by Proraso soap (white). I saved money buy just ordering the Arlington puck and putting it in a sugar bowl that I paid $1 for at the dollar store. Good luck.
I'm new as well, but have managed to pick up a good number of creams/soaps. I've learned that you can get great performance from all of the commonly mentioned brands on this board. Each soap/cream has a different ratio of water to product ratio, and loading technique, but all will do the job once you figure it out. What types of scents do you prefer? Cologne, floral, old school, warm scents, clean scents, do you enjoy a menthol chill? Answering some of these questions will help others dial in their recommendations.
I haven't tried Col Conk but I heard it's great. I only use Mike's natural soap in several scents because I like everything about it. I also use Bigelow cream twice a week. I guess once I found what works I stuck to it.
I always keep a tube of Arko cream. It's cheap and performs as well as AOS. I have used AOS cream, but I think it is overpriced for its performance.
I also keep a tub of TOBS Lavendar cream. For $15, it is a great performer. Slick, lathers well, and has a mild scent.
The Proraso & Musgo Real creams are great too.
Great soaps: DR Harris, Mitchwell Wool Fat.
VDH Luxury is a good soap for its price.
There are many out there, even good home made soaps like Bald Frog or Mike's Natural.
I also keep a tub of TOBS Lavendar cream. For $15, it is a great performer. Slick, lathers well, and has a mild scent.
The Proraso & Musgo Real creams are great too.
Great soaps: DR Harris, Mitchwell Wool Fat.
VDH Luxury is a good soap for its price.
There are many out there, even good home made soaps like Bald Frog or Mike's Natural.
Two soaps that seem to be very widely loved by the folks on these forums and are quite inexpensive are Van der Hagen Luxury ($4 or $5 per puck = shcek Walgreen's, Walmart, Target) and Speick stick ($5.50 per stick, but not widely available in retail stores). If I wasn't such a variety loving guy, I could easily be happy with just those two and nothing else. Or for that matter with either by itself.
AoS is near the top in my book. Do you like it? Why not stick with it.
Proraso green (Eucalyptus and Menthol) and Red (Sandalwood) about $10.00 per tub. Almost everyone has one of the Proraso scents in their den. I would buy the tub it lasts so much longer than the tube.
I think this is a very YMMV kind of topic. I think it might benefit you just starting out to hit up Garry's Sample shop or get some of the TOBS or T&H samples to get a feel for what you like at a low price. Plus this will let you try out most of the major scents out there and see what you like in that realm as well.
When I was starting out, I bought some low-quality stuff, probably because it was mentioned by many people.
Now, I buy stuff because it's mentioned by the right people, and I'm much happier with my purchases.
So, rather than give you suggestions of specific products, I'll offer this advice: look for products that experienced shavers prefer. Then, research those products to see which you may like.
How experienced is 'experienced?' From what I've read and observed, it takes people about two years to refine their shaving technique and preferences. In the top-right corner of a person's posts is the date they joined B&B. I've found that to be helpful (usually) in getting a feel for somebody's experience level.
Now, that's not to say that a beginner's advice is worthless. Often, it can be very helpful in determining how easy a product is to use, how a product smells, whether or not a particular product causes irritation, etc. Also, a new or reformulated product may not have been widely tested.
So, when you're reading reviews of various products, consider the source of each review.
Now, I buy stuff because it's mentioned by the right people, and I'm much happier with my purchases.
So, rather than give you suggestions of specific products, I'll offer this advice: look for products that experienced shavers prefer. Then, research those products to see which you may like.
How experienced is 'experienced?' From what I've read and observed, it takes people about two years to refine their shaving technique and preferences. In the top-right corner of a person's posts is the date they joined B&B. I've found that to be helpful (usually) in getting a feel for somebody's experience level.
Now, that's not to say that a beginner's advice is worthless. Often, it can be very helpful in determining how easy a product is to use, how a product smells, whether or not a particular product causes irritation, etc. Also, a new or reformulated product may not have been widely tested.
So, when you're reading reviews of various products, consider the source of each review.
For the money I like
Soap - Cella
Cream - LaToja sensitive
Many others to choose from but I would try these for sure!
Soap - Cella
Cream - LaToja sensitive
Many others to choose from but I would try these for sure!
Proraso, Harris, Cella, MWF, Tabac
Its going to come down to your own personal preference, but as for me I'll take any soap anytime. I find them easier to use, and not as messy. Again that's me, and of course YMMV, but try as many as strikes your fancy and find your own best.
Here's my two cents for low cost, quality stuff:
Soap: Colonel Conk as you already know, D.R. Harris Arlington (pricier but high quality)
Croap: Razorock (affordable, excellent performer)
Creams: J.M Frazers Original, Taylor of Old Bond Street (both of these are a great value for your money)
Shave Stick: Palmolive
Soap: Colonel Conk as you already know, D.R. Harris Arlington (pricier but high quality)
Croap: Razorock (affordable, excellent performer)
Creams: J.M Frazers Original, Taylor of Old Bond Street (both of these are a great value for your money)
Shave Stick: Palmolive
For soaps, I'd strongly recommend Mitchell's Wool Fat. Don't buy the special container for that unless you really want it - it's costly. You can pare the sides of the puck down with a cheese slicer to fit into various smaller containers or mugs (I use an old Old Spice mug I've had since I was 16) and press the shavings into the top. It might take a bit to learn how to get a good lather with this, but it's second nature to me now and it works great every time. Seems good for the skin.
Another soap I like a lot is Cella almond, and also Valobra.
For creams, the aforementioned Proraso is excellent. Omega is, I think, made in the same factory and has the same ingredients (mostly) in a different blend - I find it equally good and would buy whichever is less expensive.
Good luck!
Another soap I like a lot is Cella almond, and also Valobra.
For creams, the aforementioned Proraso is excellent. Omega is, I think, made in the same factory and has the same ingredients (mostly) in a different blend - I find it equally good and would buy whichever is less expensive.
Good luck!
First of all, what kind of price ranges are we dealing with here? I don't think anything else needs to be reiterated about MWF, Tabac, Proraso, and Cella. These are all wonderful products and you won't be disappointed. I found DR Harris products to be nothing great really, as far as performance goes its way behind the previously mentioned. If you want the most bang for your buck, I'd strongly suggest looking into the Razorock line. The performance/scents are great and you can get them for $7-$12 a puck. Cumba Cheech is one of my favorites.
Proraso green is my current favorite. If you have a Bath and Body Works around it is sold there as CO Bigelow and they have been selling it with a buy 2 get 1 free deal which knocks it down to about 7 bucks a tube.
MWF is great stuff but can be tricky to lather properly. VDH is really good, as mentioned. Lots of folks like Mama Bears soaps, get some samples first to make sure they don't burn you (they do for some folks including me).
Get some glycerin. A few drops can really help your lather.
MWF is great stuff but can be tricky to lather properly. VDH is really good, as mentioned. Lots of folks like Mama Bears soaps, get some samples first to make sure they don't burn you (they do for some folks including me).
Get some glycerin. A few drops can really help your lather.
For the money, I recommend Castle Forbes Lime or Lavender shaving cream. Pricey, but it's 200g and a little goes a long way. Instant lather in my experiences. For soaps, I recommended D.R. Harris Arlington, a citrus and fern scent.
If you're looking for around $10 USD, I recommend Cella or any of the Razorock items.
If you're looking for around $10 USD, I recommend Cella or any of the Razorock items.
Similar threads
