I didn't take the time to read all the replies, but the bottom line is... find yourself any good soap or cream, and don't worry about super/uber/[insert name du jour here].

A good soap or cream is all you need, even a low end soap/cream will work fine if you figure out what it takes.

The Williams Mug soap, that many lament on being inferiour these days, works great if you don't bother lathering it, but rather just rub it on your face with water... slick as all get out. Once you start whipping air into it with a brush.... not so good, I find it just dries out. On the other hand, that WIlliams Yummy Verbena scented soap makes a great shower soap! <grin>

Williams + a lot of water, and little air, is great. If you are in a financial bind, a simple puck of Pears clear soap and any ol' brush will produce very good lather for straight or DE shaving. Remember, wet shaving means WATER... the soap/cream is there to keep the water on your face and to add glide/cushion, and, of course, break the surface tension of the water so it penetrates your beard, BUT, you should have already used a hot towel or a shower to do that, not to mention it's an indicator of where you have already shaved (another reason Barbers used it in the old days).

Other options include, but not limited to:

Taylor of Old Bond Street Creams.... (Personally, I don't like their soaps, I found thin and low cushion lather)

QED clear soaps (I don't think Charles has these anymore?)

Anything RazorRock. Happy with all creams and soaps that I have tried.

J. M. Fraser creams (watch the water/cream mix! If you get it right... it's a great product)

D. R. Harris (It's all good, soaps and creams).


There's tons more.... but, those above should get you settled in to the point where you can pick and choose from what is left without worries. You can always revert to something trusted until you either figure a new soap/cream out, or get rid of it.

Local water plays a big part in lather... hard water can really disrupt your lather building..... Some gents go as far as buying distilled water for shaving..... I can't imagine having water that hard, but then again... I've been to Saskatchewan, it it was HARD WATER in some places.......<shudder>.

Regards

Kaptain "I like to LATHER it on" Zero

PS: Glen, what are you doing answering posts?!?!?! Get back to fixing my razors, eh!