Thread: Soaps vs creams. Differences???

I've only been straight shaving almost a year and the only soap I've really liked is Mitchell's wool fat. I've tried 3 or 4 others. I saw some Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn Street Collection shaving cream for sensitive skin and bought it because of the reviews. I like it as far as it providing a smooth shave I suppose but not more than the wool fat. The Taylor... doesn't lather up as much as the wool fat. Or it hasn't for me anyway. It stays creamy and when I rinse my razor I have to use a towel to wipe all the cream off the edge instead of the running water washing it away like it does the wool fat. Is this normal for creams? The wool fat lather all rinses right off under running hot water. Maybe I'm not getting as much of a lather as I could if I did something different when using the cream? Could that be it? Another thing is the cream seems to be getting used up faster than the wool fat soap. Don't know for sure about that but after about 10 months I'm almost done with the first wool fat puck I've used. I've used it for at least 95% of my shaves. I probably shave 4 out of 5 days a week. I just ordered another wool fat soap puck because no matter what else I try I know I like that soap. One extremely minor thing to me is a fragrance in the soap. I think as long as I like everything else about a soap I would also like a fragrance. I haven't seen any wool fat with a fragrance. Is there any? I read about one soap (or cream) that had a menthol scent which I think I would love. I love a menthol scent and I once got addicted to Hall's menthol losenges. I know I was addicted when I started robbing liquour stores to buy cough drops.

So with my very limited experience I'd say I like soap better than cream. Is there anything I'm missing or don't know about one or the other that may influence my likes/dislikes regarding the two? I think the next new something I try will have a menthol scent. Does anyone have a recommendation on a menthol scented soap?

Soaps versus creams is mostly personal preference. Like most, I have a lot of both. I'm also a fellow menthol addict; here are some mentholated
soaps amd creams to try: Proraso, Godrej Menthol Mist, QCS Vostok, Mama Bear Awakenings, some "Ice" versions by Stirling I have yet to try, and many more that I'm sure others will chime in with.

Jack,

Soaps and creams are different in texture and lathering process. Soaps usually take a wee bit longer to create lather than creams. Because of the different texture, a tub of cream tends to run out much faster than a puck of soap.

Is one better than the other in performance? That depends on the brand. Are soaps better than creams or creams better than soaps? No. Opinions vary on this: creams give better cushion than soaps, soaps give better glide than creams. That is a big generalization without a definitive conclusion. Some gentlemen prefer cream over soap, some soap over cream. It is personal. What's important is what you like.

Mitchell's Wool Fat comes only in the fragrance you have. It is a fine soap. There are many other fine soaps out there worth trying: Martin de Candre, Czech & Speak, Valobra, Institute Karite, Klar Seifen, Klar Kabinett, Provence Sante and scores of others.

Taylor of Old Bond Streets are good creams, but there more superior creams out there: Castle Forbes, Xpec (if still available), Truefitt & Hill variety, D.R. Harris variety, Geo F Trumper variety (their soaps are not very good), Santa Maria Novella, Edwin Jagger, Muhle and on and on.

As time goes on, try as many as you can and enjoy a taste of Paradise.

And there is Arko.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

And there is Arko.

Can't go wrong with Arko.

Originally Posted by SpikedLemon

Can't go wrong with Arko.

It's the peoples choice.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

It's the peoples choice.

MisterMoo,

Forgive me, but to what people do you refer?

Originally Posted by Obie

MisterMoo,

Forgive me, but to what people do you refer?

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

It's the peoples choice.

Moo, don't generalize me in with the 'people'. Tried Arko, didn't like. Once again I am in a minority (but I'm used to that).

Originally Posted by Obie

MisterMoo,

Forgive me, but to what people do you refer?

Practically everyone except RazorFeld.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Practically everyone except RazorFeld.

Oh, I beg to differ with you, MisterMoo. I assure you "Practically everyone" does not include me, and I'm sure many others. Making a general statement as you have without specific data is a wee bit bombastic and not worthy of Straight Razor Place. Please refrain from using such generalities.