Soaps effect shaving closeness

[montroseman]

After using a couple of different soaps, I believe the following to be true. It has been my experience that certain soaps provide not only a smoother shave, which one might expect, but also a closer shave. In my limited experience I almost always get an incredibly close shave with Mike’s in comparison with other soaps I have used.

The question I pose is have you noticed similar results between different soaps. Or is this an imaginary anomaly, which some say I am predisposed to?

 

[brybry642]

Each soap is different in terms of creating a suitable lather, ie. some need lots of water (MWF). Once you fine tune each soaps lather, I think you will find that a good shave will shortly follow.

 

[petr]

You're exactly right. Welcome to the world of soaps. That why so many are special.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Absolutely! There are some soaps that just plain don't work on my face.

 

[Sullybob]

Absolutely! There are some soaps that just plain don't work on my face.

And there are some soaps that just plain don't work.

 

[michiganlover]

And there are some soaps that just plain don't work.

Cough...Modern Williams....Cough.

 

[Sullybob]

Cough...Modern Williams....Cough.

I got modern Williams to work, I just didn't think it was all that great especially for the amount of work it took to make lather.

 

[rum]

I found this too... my current favourite by quite a wide margin is Martin de Candre. It gives a close shave like no other.

 

[jasonb8736]

I guess I'll add my 2 cents...I just started using soap having used cream since I began wet shaving (approx 1 yr ago). I am convinced that soap gives me a smoother and easier shave. I've been using proraso white tub with proraso white preshave. It's amazing.

This morning, I tried C&E sandalwood soap with a preshave. Also amazing!

I was using a Merkur 38C until this morning. I tried out my newly arrived Gillette Slim. Not as close a shave as I'm used to, but I believe that's due to the caution I exercised during my first try with an adjustable.

I believe, factually, that the soaps are better on the face. Just my opinion.

Jay

 

[Songwind]

I agree completely, including creams.

It can also be adjusted slightly by varying your product:water ratio. Castle Forbes, for example, creates a very shavable lather even with too little water, but can become so good at comfort/protection that it prevents me from getting extra close.

 

[jasonb8736]

Yes. I was using CF Lime. Amazing stuff really. But now I'm happy with soaps so I'll probably take a "cream hiatus" until I decide to spend some money on a cream made in Toronto, Canada called Crown Shaving cream. A friend of mine who's a life long wet shaver swears by it.

 

[SliceOfLife]

For me with a straight? No closeness isn't really related to the lather. Comfort is. I can shave plenty close with water, but it will be irritating. A dense, slick lather lets me shave with the same edge and angle and not chew my neck up.

 

[jhamlin38]

I like soaps more than creams for comfort.
I think most soaps provide incredibly smooth and comfortable shaves, Tabac is THE STANDARD, for a smooth and comfortable close shave.
Revisiting your lathering technique will also enhance the result.