Soaps and creams

[Frosty]

Ok I know the secret to a good shave is combination of many variables- technique, razor, blade, etc. But I'm more and more convinced that the most important factor is the soap/cream and it's lubricating abilities and how well it let's the blade glide across.

That said there are so many bloody good soaps/creams. At the last count I've got:

Palmolive
Tabac
Arko
la Toja
Proraso
Mama Bears
Body Shop
Ogallala

And I still feel I haven't yet scratched the surface. My fave thus far is La Toja, but apart from Arko all the rest are top notch

 

[The Last Chimney]

I completely agree with you. Old razors are cool and can give you closer shaves, but the product is where it's at. Try shaving with your favorite DE and some canned goo, and then try shaving with a Mach 3 and your favorite soap or cream. Massive difference!

SSAD is the only disorder that's really hit me hard. I really do not think I can be content as long there is an untried soap out there that has peaked my interest. One brush is all I need. Three or four razors remain in my rotation, and a small but varied pile of aftershaves makes me happy... but I have something like fifteen soaps in my rotation and five or six sitting in a cabinet waiting to be sold or traded. Gosh.

 

[Frosty]

Will we ever find the perfect soap..? Or is that the Holy Grail...

 

[Saturn]

Will we ever find the perfect soap..?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I've already found mine! Hint: it's German, comes in a simple yet elegant milk glass bowl, and has the sort of scent one might expect to find on the Most Interesting Man in the World ("I don't always use shaving soap... but when I do, I prefer Tabac").

Having said that, variety is nice, which is why I still indulge my SSAD. The tremendous variation in scents is, to me, one of the best parts of the wetshaving experience. It's like taking a little olfactory journey every time you lather up. I finally got my tub of QED Sandalwood recently - my very first experience with real sandalwood, and it blew me away. I just thought to myself, "I wish my whole life smelled like this!"

 

[SRock]

Ok I know the secret to a good shave is combination of many variables- technique, razor, blade, etc. But I'm more and more convinced that the most important factor is the soap/cream and it's lubricating abilities and how well it let's the blade glide across.

That said there are so many bloody good soaps/creams. At the last count I've got:

Palmolive
Tabac
Arko
la Toja
Proraso
Mama Bears
Body Shop
Ogallala

And I still feel I haven't yet scratched the surface. My fave thus far is La Toja, but apart from Arko all the rest are top notch

You've definitely not even contemplated scratching the surface.

I agree though that a good product and great prep are more important than your implement of choice for shaving.

 

[Zephyr]

Will we ever find the perfect soap..? Or is that the Holy Grail...

MWF IS the holy grail to many, so is Proraso, Tabac, and many others, don't misinterpret me, I love all of them, specially MWF, but there are many other good soaps and creams out there too.
I think that you can't find just one go to soap, at least not when the SSAD have hit you

I have to agree with The Last Chimmney: I really do not think I can be content as long there is an untried soap out there that has peaked my interest.

 

[Frosty]

I agree there are so many fab soaps and yet not enough time.... (ive just ordered MWF

 

[BladeRunner001]

That's exactly the point to the success of a good shave. But more specifically, I think it's the ability to make the lather and prepping the beard with that lather. The better your lather, the better your prep and shave.

I don't know if you're a bowl or face latherer, but if you use bowl, one thing that you can do to push the envelop is to make überather...i.e., combine soap/creme/glycerin (a few drops). This thick cushion will amaze you . The best part is that you can use any combination of soap/creme to do this.

 

[Frosty]

Robert I'm a bowl latherer- I find it produces a richer result. I hadn't thought of adding creme and glycerin to the mix before. That sounds like a brilliant idea. Now where to get the glycerine drops....

 

[BladeRunner001]

Robert I'm a bowl latherer- I find it produces a richer result. I hadn't thought of adding creme and glycerin to the mix before. That sounds like a brilliant idea. Now where to get the glycerine drops....

Don;t forget the soap too...Creme + soap + glycerin

You can get glycerin at local pharmacy stores (Rite Aid, CVS, etc...) or Walmart, Target, etc...easy to find and cheap

 

[Frosty]

Thanks Robert. Will venture to the pharmacy tomorrow. I'm excited already!

 

[BladeRunner001]

Thanks Robert. Will venture to the pharmacy tomorrow. I'm excited already!

Excellent...happy glycerin hunting and enjoy the über-licious lather

 

[goby]

Ok I know the secret to a good shave is combination of many variables- technique, razor, blade, etc. But I'm more and more convinced that the most important factor is the soap/cream and it's lubricating abilities and how well it let's the blade glide across.

That said there are so many bloody good soaps/creams. At the last count I've got:

Palmolive
Tabac
Arko
la Toja
Proraso
Mama Bears
Body Shop
Ogallala

And I still feel I haven't yet scratched the surface. My fave thus far is La Toja, but apart from Arko all the rest are top notch

Dude, you're in London, England and you haven't got a 3T or DR Harris?? Are you crazy???

If I were you I would be going down to Trumper every day and sniffing their stuff.

 

[Frosty]

Goby I work 10 minute walk away from Trumpers, ToBs and a few others. I get the benefit of testing stuff out in their shops all the time