Thread: Question about soap vs. cream....

I am looking to get into the game but I am wondering about creams and such. I know to be totally authentic I need to go the all the way with the dish, brush, puck etc. But not to meaning commit sacralige I was wondering if it would be possible/advisable to start out using a CREAM shaving cream like this....

men's Neutrogena Men® Skin Clearing Shave Cream - Neutrogena

I'm worried about start up cost of something that I might abandon ( I hope not/probably not) I figured maybe I could just by a blade and stroup set up and later get the cup and brush etc. Also I presently use this cream with good sucess.

Tell me what you guys think please.

firefighter,

Even with the Neutrogena I would advise that you purchase a cheap shaving brush such as a Tweezerman. You can hold off on the mug. Get a small cereal bowl from the kitchen to squeeze some of the Neutrogena into and use that and the brush to whip up your lather.

Even if you abandon str8 razor shaving you will have a shaving brush that you can use to shave with your multi-blade or DE safety razor.

Originally Posted by firefighter

I am looking to get into the game but I am wondering about creams and such. I know to be totally authentic I need to go the all the way with the dish, brush, puck etc. But not to meaning commit sacralige I was wondering if it would be possible/advisable to start out using a CREAM shaving cream like this....

men's Neutrogena Men® Skin Clearing Shave Cream - Neutrogena

I'm worried about start up cost of something that I might abandon ( I hope not/probably not) I figured maybe I could just by a blade and stroup set up and later get the cup and brush etc. Also I presently use this cream with good sucess.

Tell me what you guys think please.

A Brush is great, I just started straight shaving and if I quit I am still using the brush and cream. I got a cheapie brush off amazon if I am looking to step up I'll pick up a nice big brush with a long handle, but right now it works and it was cheap. You can also get a synthetic brush from wal mart for a few dollars just to try it out.

Hi, and welcome to SRP ! I have actually tried that cream and did not have good results, but that's me. The only thing it's good for would be for use in Uber Later...(See WIKI) In other words to help build a better lather. It doesn't stand well on it's own for Str8 razor shaving IMHO. I have about 75 soaps/creams on hand in my rotation. I like trying different ones all the time and comparing.
Soaps vs Creams is a common topic around here, and if you do a search, you'll find lots of data. it's basically personal preference. Creams offer more protection when you shave, Soaps generally give good feedback. Check out Straight razor designs web site. They have great soaps, high end stuff at affordable prices. Other good soaps that are readily available are Tabac, Mitchell's wool fat, Mama Bear's and TGQ. These are the most recommended soaps on the site. For Shave Creams, Castle Forbes, TOBS, Truefitt and Hill, (T&H 1805 is my favorite btw) you can buy a cheap brush at Wal Mart, you can use a small bowl to build lather to start just to test the waters. Once you see if it's for you, then think about investing in some nicer gear...If you need help, just ask....or pm me...

Rich

I have the full Neutrogena line and recommend them 100% they are miles better than any other "conventional" shave product (gillete, old spice, schick, etc).
That said, THAT cream does not lather- it is more like an oil- you smear some on your face and it lubricates. This actually works really well with cartridges but it is not the same. There cream in a can lathers but it is the same diagnosis- better than others, and great for cartridges, but not the same as brush and soap.

My main advice to you is to get a brush bowl and soap/cream (cream in our sense not the conventional sense). You are not cutting costs here- this is probably the most important part! Even with cartridges and DE's this is the best way to go and offer benefits in acne, dry skin, shave bumps etc. Its much better for you.
If cost is an issue- Walmart/CVS/Rite Aid whatever you've got near you sells CHEAP brushes and soaps. You can pick up a kit with brush bowl and soap for $10 that is not great, but serviceable, I shaved with it for 3 months.

I would recommend getting "the worst of the best" rather than the "best of the worst" and going with a cheap brush from one of the vendors- I say this because eventually you will anyways. You can lather in anything be it a coffee mug or a soup bowl or tuppeware. And the soaps- if you are utilitarian they all do the job, if you are a little more homey/pamper yourself you will end up with 10 different soaps anyway- variety is the spice of life. You literally cannot go wrong.

I can't offer much but if you want I have an unopened cheapy brush and soap lying around (the same ones you could by). If you are interested you could contact me too.

I use both soaps and cream, depending on my mood. With creams be aware that there are many "brushless" shaving creams(our definition) out there. The one you mentioned is one of those as already pointed out. If you look at the directions, and it doesnt mention anything about a brush, then it probably wont work that well. That is my rule of thumb. For creams I use the CO bigelo shaving cream that you get at bath and body works. Its pretty much the same as Prorazo.

I too switch depending on mood between soap and cream, mainly because of scent, but also depending on the dryness of my skin. I can see myself switching to the less "heavy" soaps/creams in summer, but right now I have to use products for sensitive/dry skin more than any other time of year.

Also, I finally have enough experience now with many different products to have found my "goto" top of the line in each category, "Tabac" for soap, and "The Art of Shaving" Lavender scent for cream, although the learning continues...

I also use CO Bigelow (Proraso) and make uber-lather with the Tabac sometimes when I'm in the mood for the menthol effect.

As far as things go, for cheap you can get: (considering quality)

Cream:
CO Bigelow (its rebranded proraso if you look on the back)- its cheap and great- VERY great. You wouldn't think it would be so cheap.
Mama Bear
The Gentleman's Quarter
CarrieM's soaps

Soap:
Straight Razor Designs
Colonel Conk
Revivage (by Gold-dachs)

If you just want cheap, Van der Hagen, Williams and this other one I can't think of are VERY cheap and serviceable- but not that good.

I'm starting to the the $75 or so I can save by going from a blade & stroup kit instead of a full "wet" kit might be better used up front and say to hell with it and go for broke. I gotta see right now I'm thinking of going with this kit....

Vintage Blades LLCÂ::ÂStraight Razor SetsÂ::ÂDovo Straight Razor Sets - Carbon SteelÂ::ÂDovo Ebony Spike Point Straight Razor Set


I really wish it was not gold plated but I think the Spike point looks fantastic. I can't find a plain blade with a spike point unless I spend a ton of money.

First off IF you get that kit, the brush and strop will serve you well into the future (obviously the razor will too) and it is quite a bit cheaper than buying everything seperate. Though what you might consider is getting a brush and strop seperate and buying a vintage razor from the classifieds. I personally have never bought a production razor and I am getting along just fine.