Thread: too sharp

Originally Posted by Bill31521

Imo there are differences with soap. But it won't make or break the shave. Now a shower before shaving will hydrate and swell the follicles more than any other method or soap/cream/preshave that I know. The edge on the razor is really the make or break. Imo anyway.

Perhaps, the most important factor in the shave is the shaving technique. If your technique is poor, you will get a lousy shave, even with a great razor and great soap.

An edge that is either not keen enough or not smooth enough will certainly lead to a disappointing shave.

For many folks, the quality of the lather is unimportant. That is well demonstrated by numerous posts that claim that some cheap soap is "the best soap I have every used". Perhaps, you are one of those blessed individuals for whom lather quality is unimportant. However, for those with tough beards and sensitive skin like mine, the quality of the lather plays a vital role.

I have shaved with a wide variety of soaps and creams: bath bars, hand soaps, non-lathering creams, cheap soap pucks, traditional soaps and creams, and numerous artisan soaps. Although I can shave with lesser quality soaps, the shave will be far from enjoyable. Either I won't be able to shave close enough, or my face will suffer irritation, perhaps both. There are some soaps I tried using, but the quality of the shave was so poor, I gave up on the soap. For example, I have never had success with glycerine soaps, but that is me. With a high-quality soap, I am far more likely to get a great shave, very close with no irritation. A great soap leaves my skin feeling moisturized and nourished afterwards.

I must have the toughest skin and wimpiest beard that can be imagined.

There's something else that can be brought to this, actually two.

Shave angle

Beard density.

But I'll lean towards improper stropping, myself.

Originally Posted by RayClem

For many folks, the quality of the lather is unimportant. That is well demonstrated by numerous posts that claim that some cheap soap is "the best soap I have every used". Perhaps, you are one of those blessed individuals for whom lather quality is unimportant. However, for those with tough beards and sensitive skin like mine, the quality of the lather plays a vital role.

You’re right on the point I was making. When I said that, I was using the same razor, same technique, same stropping as any other shave. The only variation was the soap. I still say that soap matters. It’s not about the scent, the abundance of lather, or how easily it’s whipped up. It’s about optimizing the quality with the same edge.

I'm not sure what it is exactly but I can affirm that soap does make a difference. My technique does not change but I can definitely tell the difference in soaps.

How long the lather lasts along with how close the shave gets on the first pass are two key details that I have been able to discern.

Fortunately for me, some of my best soaps are also some of the lowest priced soaps.