Thread: Soap vs Cream

well kd...

It's like this: I'm a cream shaver-off-of-stubble not a let-the-thin-soap-suds-dry-on-my-face-sorta-guy. For the most part, try as I may, I can't get lather to save my life from soaps. Put me down in the cream column because creams work; soap takes too much work for the yield. It's not unlike the rest of my mornings' efforts - take oranges for example: I drink a glassful of juice from the carton. I don't squeeze a bunch of citrus products to get juice into the glass, I pour it from the carton. Similarly I roll a brush around in an already softened cream lathering agent; I don't try to beat a cake of soap into submission with a limp brush. I've tried it, many times, and likely will again, but the soap will likely again prove the better in the contest of soaper vs soapee.

lather on...

If I've let the stubble go a few days, I'll use cream. If I shaved just yesterday, I'll use soap.

I've taken up shaving with cold water/lather/everything, FWIW.

I still mix the lather in a mug, whether cream or soap. In cold water, it takes a little longer to load the brush with enough soap.

I get much better soap lather from the mug than I do trying to lather up on my face.

As has already been mentioned by some here, I also use both soaps and creams. I find the creams have a nice cushion for a couple days growth and they feel rather luxurious when applied. I also love the soaps because I really enjoy the feeling post shave from them. I use a Kent religiously, and it's very refreshing for both it's scent, and the way leaves my skin. I'm not going to try to decide, it's a morning thing. It's one of the first decisions of the day, and I get to make it all by myself....no cooperation, no collaboration.

Variety is the spice of life, as they say. I find that depending on my mood, the amount of time I have and beard condition, having a few different choices on hand, both soap and cream, is what works for me. I do find that soap leaves skin feeling "cleaner" than creams, however, even though it typically involves a little more work getting lather.

Originally Posted by Bruce

well kd...

It's like this: I'm a cream shaver-off-of-stubble not a let-the-thin-soap-suds-dry-on-my-face-sorta-guy. For the most part, try as I may, I can't get lather to save my life from soaps. Put me down in the cream column because creams work; soap takes too much work for the yield. It's not unlike the rest of my mornings' efforts - take oranges for example: I drink a glassful of juice from the carton. I don't squeeze a bunch of citrus products to get juice into the glass, I pour it from the carton. Similarly I roll a brush around in an already softened cream lathering agent; I don't try to beat a cake of soap into submission with a limp brush. I've tried it, many times, and likely will again, but the soap will likely again prove the better in the contest of soaper vs soapee.

lather on...

I like that orange thing, but it makes sense.HeHe

I have both and use both. Good soaps and good creams both give a great shave. Having a variety is enjoyable and I enjoy going back and forth between them.

Enjoy the variety!

Pabster

Soap and Creams both work great, try them both and see what you like. I like to face lather so soaps work great for me, I don't use a scuttle or a soap bowl, don't have the time for that. Face lathering allows you to control the lather right on your face, feels good, and is quicker than anything else.

To me, traditional wet shaving means using a soap. Shaving cream is that stuff that comes out of an aerosol can.

Thanks,
Mike

I use both. A quality cream is just as good as a quality soap and vise versa. I usually don't know which I am going to be using till after I strop the razor. There are so many good products out there. I will say that soaps are cheaper to use, in general, so I use more soaps.


Take Care,
Richard

I've got both, but I generaly use the soap. Keep it in the bottom of a mug and pour some hot water in it while I shower to soften it up. Then a few seconds of swirling my brush around in it picks up plenty for lather making.