Thread: Soaps: necessary? Will household types work?

I've been looking into straight razors recently, since I really like having a small number of good-quality things. I have a fountain pen, and it's much the same situation: you use one because, while it has quirks and requires maintenance, it works beautifully.

What I'm not so sure about, however, are soaps. I use an electric right now and I like it for the simplicity of not needing shaving cream. I realize you need something for a straight razor, but I'm not a fan of having to order specific soaps to do the job.

So I suppose what I'm asking is: is it possible/advisable to use a straight razor with either: no soap, bathroom soap, or some easily-obtainable soap? I always shave right after showering, and I'm looking to switch more for personal satisfaction than for a perfect shaving experience, so I'm hoping I can make do with something more common.

Thanks! And sorry if this has already been discussed; I looked through all the beginner's guides and such and couldn't really find anything specific.

- Rippy

Welcome aboard- You will need a soap or cream of some kind to cushion your face. The problem is that there are so many to pick from you can experience "analysis paralysis," in other words be overwhelmed by too many choices. Taylor of Old Bond Street, Truefitt and Hill or Proraso are all good choices. You don't need multiple soaps or creams, though some of us go that route. Check over at classicshaving.com or saintcharlesshave.com. You'll also need a shaving brush, strop, and maybe some aftershave and you'll be set. Look into the beginner's guides and the wiki posted on this site and ask questions if you dont understand something Welcome to your new obsession!

Originally Posted by rippy

I've been looking into straight razors recently, since I really like having a small number of good-quality things. I have a fountain pen, and it's much the same situation: you use one because, while it has quirks and requires maintenance, it works beautifully.

What I'm not so sure about, however, are soaps. I use an electric right now and I like it for the simplicity of not needing shaving cream. I realize you need something for a straight razor, but I'm not a fan of having to order specific soaps to do the job.

So I suppose what I'm asking is: is it possible/advisable to use a straight razor with either: no soap, bathroom soap, or some easily-obtainable soap? I always shave right after showering, and I'm looking to switch more for personal satisfaction than for a perfect shaving experience, so I'm hoping I can make do with something more common.

Thanks! And sorry if this has already been discussed; I looked through all the beginner's guides and such and couldn't really find anything specific.

- Rippy

Check out the $12 to $15 van der hagen premium shave set that you can
find at many chain drug stores in the US and even on Amazon. You need
a shave brush a shaving soap and a lathering bowl is a big help for a small
price you get all the necessary lathering parts.

Combine this small investment with a $5 bag of BiC yellow handled tossable
razors and you are good to go in the wet shaving world.

This plan is low budget and makes a lot of sense when switching
from an electric. The yellow handle BiC razors are good for sensitive
skin and are great wet shaving training wheels.

You can upgrade the soap, the brush or the razor one at a time.

Remember, If you do buy a straight razor you also need to get a good strop.
i.e. A good strop plus a good sharp razor is a necessary pair.

There is a Wiki entry for beginners that outlines the entire kit
you will eventually need for shaving with a straight edge...
the above will get you started. Some folk make a left turn down
the double edge wet shaving lane.

I have a neighbor that uses one of those brand name tossable razors.
Now with a VDH kit he talks his girlfriends ear off about the great shave he
gets with his brush and shave soap. He is +70 clearly, lathering
is the place to start, no mater when you start.....(in my opinion).
I just upgraded his soap... ;-) for the new year.

Once you get hooked on wet shaving as many do you can upgrade
with a deluxe brush, a deluxe lathering bowl, a deluxe shave soap
a deluxe razor, a deluxe strop....


As for double purpose soaps there are some. van der hagen makes
a double purpose shave and bath soap. I think it is marketed at
women's legs.

A good bubbly lathering bar soap is Kirk's Bar Soap. It lathers under a brush
just fine and also makes a good bath soap. The cocunut oil makes
a great lather. It is inexpensive so try it.

Williams shave soap can be used like a bar soap. It is
inexpensive as heck.

You don't 'need' specialty soaps, or soaps at all, or even water for that matter, you can cut the whiskers dry.

The question is how tough your skin is, and how much you value it. Water is most important, then 'regular' soap would work but not very well, and then you can use something that's more suitable for shaving, with or without brush. It's all a matter of personal taste and choice.

If you're trying to do this on the cheap there are better options than dry shaving or using Irish Spring. Hand soap isn't recommended; it is not formulated to lather like a shaving soap will, nor will it provide the skin protection/conditioning that we have come to expect (one of our artisan soap makers could chime in and explain in more detail). You can use water only, but the chances of you walking out of the bathroom with your face intact is entirely dependant on your shaving technique; in other words, don't. And then there are the "budget" soaps: Williams, Van der Hagen, Proraso, Wilkinsons, etc. Out of those I'd recommend Proraso.

Honestly though, sampling amazing luxury shaving products is half the fun of this sport. I would almost guarantee that if you tried some of our favourite soaps/creams you would be hooked too.

Variety IS the spice of life, afterall.

Originally Posted by gugi

The question is how tough your skin is, and how much you value it.

Thanks for my SRP Laugh of the Day...

For easely obtainable i guess you mean pop to the store to get it
Palmolive shave stick is probably the easyest to pick up here.
The body shop has a cream, but thats not soap

Talk about fast, quality responses!

I think what I'll do is check the local stores next time I'm out and see what's available before I go ahead and find anything online (and get a razor etc along with it).

Also, I'm curious as to the difference between the low-end soaps some have recommended and a shaving cream, i.e. the stuff in an aerosol can I generally associate with safety razors. Any differences a newbie like me would notice? I have some at home, and it lathers up and such and works fine with a safety razor.

You probably want to read a bit on starting up, selecting a razor etc., or you may end up with a razor-shaped decorative object - a good starting point is probably the stickies at the top of this section and the links in them.

The aersosol goo works sort of, but it's not soap. It's also designed for long shelf life with all compromises stemming from that. You can probably find the william's mug soap at your local drugstore - it's not the most moisturizing soap, but it's widely available and probably as good soap as you can buy for 99c. Of course, the cost of soap is negligible over the long run since it lasts really long time. I think Utopian was using a puck of williams for 2 years or something, so a big sized triple milled soap could probably last close to a decade, if one choses to be super frugal.
Then there are shaving creams, which are less economical and many people prefer making lather out of them (I prefer soaps). There are also brushless creams and I forgot which were the ones I tried but one of them worked quite well.

A wonderful shaving cream is Real Shaving Company cream. Its only about $5 at rite aid, but it could easily sell for just as much as art of shaving or T&H creams.

Do what I do, go to some Wal-Marts or nearly any of the CVS or Walgreens in your area.

$5-6 for a Van Der Hagen boar brush
$5-6 for Van Der Hagens soap.

They come in green-trimmed boxes in my area.

Plop the soap in a coffee mug and
Voila, problem solved...you've got my favorite soap and brush that is certainly adequate for less than a pack of cartridge blades. The soap might cost you $20 a year, as I've never kept track of how long one will last. First brush only lasted me 2 years...not bad for $5.


(Don't tell the guys...they like their "fancy" soaps...although I have to admit I'll be trying a new Christmas present tomorrow morning)