Soaps For Str8 Razor Shaving:

[BEAR DEN]

The other day I took out my Tabac which I had not used in awhile. Just as I had remembered a fantastic soap. For whatever reason I have found three soaps have greatly helped my str8 razor shaving experience. They are Tabac, MWF and Irisch Moos.
I realize that all of the above mentioned soaps have tallow in them. I'm too new to know if that is what is exactly why they perform so well for me when I'm using a str8 razor.
I would be interested in knowing what other people have found works for them when str8 razor shaving. It certainly does not have to tallow in it. All soap ideas are welcome for my information!

 

[mdunn]

I think its more that tallow soaps are awesome generally, rather than specifically for straights. Though I do remember someone posting somewhere at some time that soap generally worked better than creams for straights because they provided more slickness rather than cushion.

 

[crankymoose]

i think its more that tallow soaps are awesome generally, rather than specifically for straights. Though i do remember someone posting somewhere at some time that soap generally worked better than creams for straights because they provided more slickness rather than cushion.

+1

 

[Chimensch]

I think its more that tallow soaps are awesome generally, rather than specifically for straights. Though I do remember someone posting somewhere at some time that soap generally worked better than creams for straights because they provided more slickness rather than cushion.

I agree that soaps are better than creams for straights but for a different reason. I can tell that the creams are not hydrating the beard (i.e., not bringing as much water to the hairs) as much as soaps. There are two reasons why this is important: a wetter hair is easier to cut and a drier hair wears the edge of the blade faster. I saw a big increase in the duration of my edges when I got a Schwartzweisskeramik scuttle and extended the amount of time I spent lathering.