Thread: Creams and Soaps

I have a very dumb question--what is the real difference between creams and soaps (other than the obvious). Perhaps more to the point, what is the difference between the shaving cream that comes from a can (aka Gillette) and some of the tube based creams I have seen while reading about str8 shaving. Finally, is there a good, inexpensive cream or soap that anybody would reccomend for a good shave. (I know that there is a cream and soap forum, but I was too embarrased to post this question there--I thought my fellow newbies may be a bit more forgiving for such an elementary question. -Charles

I'll let some of the more experienced guys handle the first question, but as far as inexpensive creams or soaps, I would highly recommend The Gentlemens Quarter. Colleen makes some of the best lathering and smelling soap I've ever used.


(Not to slight Mama Bear, I haven't tried her soaps yet.)

One of our members here is from Poland and he sells quite a bit on Ebay. I bought some Wars Shave Cream from him a couple of weeks ago and really liked it. All he has right now is a "set of 6" which would last you a long time - but you could certainly sell some of them on the B/S/T Forum if you didn't want to keep them all. He's very respectable and a pleasure to deal with. His Ebay link is below:

http://myworld.ebay.com/open_razor/

As for the differences, I'll have to leave it to a more "experienced" soap and cream guy to explain them. As for me, I prefer soaps because I find them easier to lather (when I first started wet shaving anyways) and couldn't find many fragrances that I liked in creams. Lately I have discovered some creams that I like very much - like the Wars that open_razor sells, the Lider that he sometimes sells and the Musgo Real that I found quite by accident at a Mall in Milwaukee. It's personal choice really - I have about 3 dozen different soaps vs 3 creams.

Originally Posted by fatherof4

Perhaps more to the point, what is the difference between the shaving cream that comes from a can (aka Gillette) and some of the tube based creams I have seen while reading about str8 shaving.

Basically, the ingredients. The already foamed stuff is a whole lot of chemicals you don't need and very few this that really make for a nice slick cushy shaving surface.

For instance here is the ingredient list for Barbasol original:

Water, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Isobutane, Laureth 23, Fragrance, Propane, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

I'm sure some of those things are safe but the others are flammable

Originally Posted by fatherof4

Finally, is there a good, inexpensive cream or soap that anybody would reccomend for a good shave. (I know that there is a cream and soap forum, but I was too embarrased to post this question there--I thought my fellow newbies may be a bit more forgiving for such an elementary question. -Charles

There are a ton of them out there. Anything from Mama Bear or Colleen is high quality stuff and if you go to their websites you can read their very short and sweet lists of ingredients.

A good rule of thumb is that if you have to make the lather yourself with a brush you will get a better shave. This doesn't guarantee the quality of the ingredients but it is always a step up from the canned goo.

Thanks for all of the info!!!

I'll give a big ole +1 to The Gentlemen's Quarter. Just had my first ever shave with Colleen's Lime Marguerita soap today and it was super nice.

I'll also give a glowing recommendation on price and performance to Proraso (in the green tube) that you can get at ClassicShaving.com. I've been using it since I started straight shaving about 3 weeks ago and it's treated me nicely.

No need to feel embarrassed! Everyone is learning here, and if they aren't they're more than willing to help us newbies out!

I have found that I prefer soaps, simply because of the lather I can make. Especially with Colleen's soap. Cavendish Black is my favorite...I love the scent. Her soaps have a glycerin base in them if I remember correctly, which helps in making a great, slippery lather. They don't dry out as fast as the really cheap pucks.

I haven't tried too many creams, but the Art of Shaving has some really nice ones.

Hope this helps,
~Chris