Soo....I've had an epiphany!

[VT_Hokie]

I've been playing around with several creams lately.

Proraso, Kiss my Face, GFT, TOBS, and an entire sampler of T&H.

While I really enjoyed some of these (Proraso for many reasons, and the T&H Ultimate Comfort to be exact) I found that my shaves weren't anywhere NEAR as desirable as when I was shaving with my soaps like Mama Bear's and plain old VDH Deluxe (NOT, I say again NOT Williams!)

For awhile I couldn't really tell the difference between all the creams, but I knew that my shaves weren't quite as good and I didn't know why. After using them for about 2 weeks exclusively, I whipped up some VDH and superlathered it with the tiniest touch of Proraso to get some cooling effect going on (It's like 100 degrees today) and it was the best darn shave I have had since I started playing with all those creams.

I suppose I was under the impression that since the creams were more expensive that they must be better and that they would moisturize and protect my face better. Boy was I wrong. Not only was I not more protected or moisturized, my face was more agitated and the shaves weren't getting me as smooth.

Therefore, I think I have come to the conclusion that I am going to move away from the creams and onto a more wide variety of soaps. I'll keep the Proraso and the UC, but I think that will be just about it.

I know I want to try some Tabac, MWF and possibly split a brick of Cella if one pops up on BST. And definitely a few more tubs of Mama Bear's. I'm really eyeing her Awakenings and Rosemary Mint as I don't currently have any of those "bright" types of soap from her.

Just my .02, and as always, YMMV! Let me know what you think

-Matt

 

[NavyHopeful]

Tabac is great. I got some for my dad for Father's Day and I find myself sneaking into his bathroom to use the soap. Wonderful scent, very close and protective shave. I still need to try MWF considering all the great things I've heard about it.

 

[VT_Hokie]

I have a feeling that I'll get to the MWF before I get to the Tabac just because of the love it or hate it stigma that comes with the scent of Tabac

 

[dpm802]

Tabac is a good soap, by itself ... but it becomes Awesome, Stupendous, Spectacular when you add the other products in the range, i.e. the luxury bath soap, cream, ASL, ASB, deo-stick, etc.

Using all the Tabac products is like the musical instruments in an orchestra. One at a time, they sound good, but put them all together, and they make beautiful music.

Some of these are rare and hard to find, so don't worry if you can't get a complete set right off the bat. It took me more than 2 years of hunting before I could get everything, and there are still a piece or two missing. I'm needing refills on some stuff already, too.

Tabac is the backbone of my rotation in the cold weather ... alas, its a little heavy for summertime use, otherwise I'd use it year-round.

 

[wimbouman]

I've been playing around with several creams lately.

Proraso, Kiss my Face, GFT, TOBS, and an entire sampler of T&H.

While I really enjoyed some of these (Proraso for many reasons, and the T&H Ultimate Comfort to be exact) I found that my shaves weren't anywhere NEAR as desirable as when I was shaving with my soaps like Mama Bear's and plain old VDH Deluxe (NOT, I say again NOT Williams!)

For awhile I couldn't really tell the difference between all the creams, but I knew that my shaves weren't quite as good and I didn't know why. After using them for about 2 weeks exclusively, I whipped up some VDH and superlathered it with the tiniest touch of Proraso to get some cooling effect going on (It's like 100 degrees today) and it was the best darn shave I have had since I started playing with all those creams.

I suppose I was under the impression that since the creams were more expensive that they must be better and that they would moisturize and protect my face better. Boy was I wrong. Not only was I not more protected or moisturized, my face was more agitated and the shaves weren't getting me as smooth.

Therefore, I think I have come to the conclusion that I am going to move away from the creams and onto a more wide variety of soaps. I'll keep the Proraso and the UC, but I think that will be just about it.

I know I want to try some Tabac, MWF and possibly split a brick of Cella if one pops up on BST. And definitely a few more tubs of Mama Bear's. I'm really eyeing her Awakenings and Rosemary Mint as I don't currently have any of those "bright" types of soap from her.

Just my .02, and as always, YMMV! Let me know what you think

-Matt

I guess you will *love* the rosemary mint.
It is a great if not the best glycerine based shave soap!

 

[FL shaver]

I've had a dab of Proraso on my VDH puck for the last couple of days!

 

[RayH]

Yeah I found that soaps work better for me. The creams are fine but soaps give me a better shave. Although KMF tends to be very good if not better than the high end creams out there.

 

[Mr_Amazing]

MWF is the next soap on my list. I won't buy it until I start getting low on my Ogallala Bay Rum. I started out using Proraso and have found that in the long run, a puck of soap lasts much longer than just about any cream. Of course I'm in it for a more price-concious effort and MWF isn't all that inexpensive, but considering that it will last 5x longer, I'm more willing to spend a little more. I also noticed that the use of soap has resulted in a better shave. I don't know if it's just with Ogallala Bay Rum or all soaps, but for me, soap seems to be the way to go.

 

[VT_Hokie]

Yeah I found that soaps work better for me. The creams are fine but soaps give me a better shave. Although KMF tends to be very good if not better than the high end creams out there.

I have a tube of KMF mint and I like it a lot. I might try that with the VDH tonight

 

[VT_Hokie]

MWF is the next soap on my list. I won't buy it until I start getting low on my Ogallala Bay Rum. I started out using Proraso and have found that in the long run, a puck of soap lasts much longer than just about any cream. Of course I'm in it for a more price-concious effort and MWF isn't all that inexpensive, but considering that it will last 5x longer, I'm more willing to spend a little more. I also noticed that the use of soap has resulted in a better shave. I don't know if it's just with Ogallala Bay Rum or all soaps, but for me, soap seems to be the way to go.

The fat is def next for me too. I had been wanting something new and unfortunately fell for Williams first. What a mistake, luckily a cheap one. I might hit up WCS later today for some MWF, Cella and a brush stand

 

[T_M]

Make sure you throw some Speick into that order too! It's only $5.00 and it's awesome! I found milling it into a ziploc bowl to be easier than using it as a stick though.

------T_M