Sticks vs. Soaps?

[Steve Crane]

How do shaving sticks generally compare to shaving soaps?

My efforts to find shaving soap locally have thus far proved fruitless but I can get Williams Shaving Sticks from most supermarkets. I think it's made locally and I don't know if it has any relation to the vintage Williams Shaving Sticks I saw references to when I googled it. It claims to be luxury shaving soap in an economical stick and as it is not very expensive I'll give it a try and see how it compares to the Body Shop Maca Root Shave Cream I have been using.

I have used the Williams sticks in the past but that was a few years ago with a boar brush and I don't really remember how well it worked. It's been even longer since I last used a puck of shaving soap; it would have been Old Spice and again would have been with a boar brush. Now that I have a badger brush I suppose I will get a better lather from the shaving stick.

 

[Left Coast DJ]

Where did you get the Williams shaving stick? That looks awesome!

I actually prefer a stiff boar brush for face lathering. The Omega 10051 I have is a total beast when lathering a shaving stick.

 

[Steve Crane]

Where did you get the Williams shaving stick?

The link to it above is to a South African web site that appears to be some kind of resource for retail buyers. It indicates that they are made (or distributed if not made locally) by a company called A.J. North. These sticks, both in holders and as refills are available in most South African pharmacies and supermarkets. I have personally seen them in Pick 'n Pay, Clicks and Dis-Chem stores.

 

[Brad31]

Sticks are generally more expensive. The products are used differently. To use a soap you rub the brush over it a couple times, then either continue stirring in a bowl to build lather OR swirl brush over face for awhile to create lather.

To use a stick you wet your face, rub the stick over your face, then swirl the brush over your face to build the lather. Sticks are usually for travel because you don't need a bowl or mug of soap. With a good stick you may be able to use your fingers and create a decent lather without a brush.

As for as shaving, they are both about equal. Some will have personal preferences, but a good stick and good soap are the same

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

I actually prefer a boar brush for face lathering. The Omega 10098 I have is a total beast when lathering a shaving stick.

 

[sigmasix]

Order sticks online if you can't find them local, there's Tabac and Irish Moos, Tobs have one, arko etc. etc.

When I'm in a rush I prefer using a stick as it's quicker for me, wet face, rub stick, lather on face, repeat.

I like it because you get a new fresh lather each time, and for my smaller face lathering brushes this is perfect as they don't hold as much as other might for 3 passes..

I used to be pure cream guy, but now I'm 50/50 with soaps, they perform about equally generally, but it depends on what brand you get as well.

 

[Luc]

I would think that a shave stick made by 'Insert name here' and shave soap made by 'Insert name here' would be the same if you pick the same fragrances (regular, sensitive, menthol, etc.).

In the end, a shave stick will be a bit more expensive but more pratical to travel. I love shave sticks!

 

[Leche]

Also some soaps are only available in stick form such as Speick, Arko, and Palmolive. I like to take these and form them into a puck for regular use.

 

[drumana]

Also some soaps are only available in stick form such as Speick, Arko, and Palmolive. I like to take these and form them into a puck for regular use.

Me too. Love me some Speick, but hate me some shave stick. I find the sticks awkward to use - I much prefer a puck of soap.