Is there any reason why someone would want to use shaving soaps over shaving creams? Are they harder to lather, but work better? I'm not in any hurry to try more creams and soaps, right now I'm just tackling razor sample packs. I'm just curious if there is much, if any difference between using soaps instead of creams.
Soap vs. Cream
- Thread starter gull
- Start date
Seems like almost everything else in this hobby, it's all about personal preference. I prefer creams, but there are plenty of people on here who like soaps better. There really is something to be said about creating lather from a puck of hard soap, though. There's also superlather, which is pretty awesome.
Creams are easier to lather, and provide some great results. Most of the more seasoned guys seem to gravitate to soaps, though.
It's all just personal preference. Some scents are only available in one or the other, so you go with what they make. I've used both, have no trouble lathering either and get equally good shaves.
In my personal experience (which is lacking), I have been able to get slicker lathers from soaps than creams, while creams create a richer, more cushioning lather. Slicker tends to work better for my face, so I go for soaps.
Superlathers are the bomb, though.
Superlathers are the bomb, though.
- Thread starter
- #6
Okay now I'm interested, what's this "Superlather"?
+1
I'm primarily a cream kinda guy ... I have more creams than I can count, and love to switch back and forth among my collection depending on the season, the occasion, or just whim and fancy.
When I do use soap, I rarely do so without adding cream for SuperLather. While my first preference is keep brand names together (i.e. adding Tabac cream to Tabac soap,) some good universal performers have been KMF, Proraso, and Cremo. These seem to mix well with any soap, and even do quite a nice job when mixed with other creams.
I have a Simson Milk Churn brush and it just lathers up cream like you can't believe IMHO.
I love Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood shave cream.
It's simply a mix of soap and cream. I find the cheap stuff to be the best, like Williams + Proraso.
I've used creams for 4 years before trying my first soap 4 months ago.
First of all I will mention that I've no idea what people talk about when they say creams are more cushiony. The last cream I've tried was Castle Forbes which is herolded as the be all and end all of all creams. At least from what some people have said. It didn't do too much for me. I've a tough beard so I need a sharp blade and my skin is sensitive and prone to razor burn, I got razor burn all over my face. After applying some alcohol based after shave my face was on fire.
My whole shaving experience changed when I've tried my first soap, Tabac. I had the best shave with it ever, since it allowed the blade to glide on my skin and I had minimul burn after applying aftershave.
For the next 4 months I've bought every highly rated soap and I've finally arrived at my top 5. Now I'm selling everything else, all the soaps and creams that don't work for me. Finally I get no irritation even with feathers, they used to leave my face all red and on fire.
With my current top 5 soaps I get no burn after using AS and I'm finally very happy with the close and irritation free shaves. I just wish I've tried soaps 4 years ago.
First of all I will mention that I've no idea what people talk about when they say creams are more cushiony. The last cream I've tried was Castle Forbes which is herolded as the be all and end all of all creams. At least from what some people have said. It didn't do too much for me. I've a tough beard so I need a sharp blade and my skin is sensitive and prone to razor burn, I got razor burn all over my face. After applying some alcohol based after shave my face was on fire.
My whole shaving experience changed when I've tried my first soap, Tabac. I had the best shave with it ever, since it allowed the blade to glide on my skin and I had minimul burn after applying aftershave.
For the next 4 months I've bought every highly rated soap and I've finally arrived at my top 5. Now I'm selling everything else, all the soaps and creams that don't work for me. Finally I get no irritation even with feathers, they used to leave my face all red and on fire.
With my current top 5 soaps I get no burn after using AS and I'm finally very happy with the close and irritation free shaves. I just wish I've tried soaps 4 years ago.
You can get great shaves from either. I prefer creams at this point, but switch between both. Creams are in general easier to lather, but tend to be much more expensive than soaps on a per use basis. Soaps typically last a long time, as much as a year or more depending on your rotation, and what type of soap you are using, and how you are using it.
Try some of both and decide for yourself.
DD
Try some of both and decide for yourself.
DD
+1 This is my same experience. Soaps may require a little more work to create as thick a lather, but not much. I find with my soaps if I want to make a pass over a spot I've missed I can do a touch up without extra lather, the razor still glides. With creams easier lather, but I'm going to always use extra for a touch up.
I started out with creams. After using soaps, I find they last forever. Only soap I have used an entire puck, is samples from Ogallala. For my humble opinion, I usually grab a soap, but still love the creams if I am in a hurry. They seem to be a little quicker to lather.
Jeff
Jeff
