The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[BobH]

Interesting subject I don't believe in mixing any soap you just get an inferior product, I just stay with top tier and some tier 2 and call it a wrap any soaps I don't like go to the never to be usd again pile, the trustie circular file, I don't waste my time got a mail call yesterday that included Czech Speake great shave today.

I'd disagree that you necessarily get an inferior product by mixing different soaps and creams together. There are plenty of threads on doing uber lathers with very positive results. http://straightrazorpalace.com/pre-s...er-lather.html

Bob

[mlucassr]

It was just my opinion, I can't see how any kind of upgrade, because you are taking a subpar product and mixing it with another subpar or lower, I have seen those post, to each his own, when agree to disagree, my Brother of the Blade.

[CrownCork]

It's probably been mentioned but a good first tier soap is Green Mountain. Best post shave feel I have felt in a soap due to the amount of glycerin. Great value 5oz for 12$

[Obie]

It's probably been mentioned but a good first tier soap is Green Mountain. Best post shave feel I have felt in a soap due to the amount of glycerin. Great value 5oz for 12$

Yes, Green Mountain is a fine soap. Here, I have listed it in the Second Tier. Good stuff.

[BobH]

It was just my opinion, I can't see how any kind of upgrade, because you are taking a subpar product and mixing it with another subpar or lower, I have seen those post, to each his own, when agree to disagree, my Brother of the Blade.

No problem there. I do not have sensitive skin and have found virtually any of the over 30 soaps and creams I have tried will allow me a decent shave. Granted some are better than others but usually not by a huge amount. Of the ones that have been better for me the price has not always correlated to how good they are.

The only thing about ranking shave soaps/creams into tiers can lead some beginners into believing, mistakenly imo, that you have to spend a fortune to get a decent lather and shave. The reality generally is, I think, that you first have to know how to make a good lather in order to get a good shave regardless of the soap/cream used.

Bob

[Phrank]

So used the controversial Osma Shaving Soap with Alum again today, some find it isn't the greatest lathering soap (I have no problem with it), but that alum on the face, the tingling, seems to tighten the skin and really provide an extremely close shave, the scent is quite nice, and man, the face feels so smooth afterwards, especially with some nice aftershave balm, or for me, the Esbjerg Aftershave Oil or some Thayer's with Aloe...this soap seems to travel from Tier 3 to Tier 2, and like today, is a solid Tier 1....this soap baffles me, and it seems it will never get "boxed", just be the rebel of my soaps...

[mlucassr]

There a a few soaps on the list that that I like that are top tier along with others because I get Great Shave from them and the scents are fantastic, glide is great and is cushion is great, but that aren't on any list, and the price point doesn't break the bank, so beginners should not be afraid of sampling products, some will work great then others will b faulty at times, a regular performer remains in tier one

[Daro]

, so beginners should not be afraid of sampling products, some will work great then others will b faulty at times, a regular performer remains in tier one

I agree there are many good soaps out there and I think trying a few different ones is useful. I suggest picking one or two T1 soaps from Obie's list so that you can compare this with. I tried XPEC again today and I am starting to like it more, it seems to be a thirsty soap but works well when you get the lather worked up nicely... sometimes I take a break from a soap and when I try it again the experience seems to improve, Xpec is like that for me..

[mlucassr]

Yes I agree, I like putting it through the paces for about 2 weeks then try others, then come back to it to compare it to another soap or cream like B&M I feel my opinion only its a top tier I get great performance from it each time and I love their scents, but I feel the same about Obie's top tier choices as well, I just add B&M to that tier.

[pcm]

Just saw this thread. Great list Obie! I started with TOBS creams a few years ago, with a DE razor, and continue to use it for straights and have been very pleased with the lather thickness, and it seems to be pretty good with lubricating and glide.

However, not experimenting with many other creams/soaps, you've peaked my interest. I bought the Esbjerg cream and will try it out.

I did have a question on soaps. I bought Arko expressedly for travel. I can bring it carry-on (not a liquid), and have a plastic tube for it for easy storage. The plan was to face lather with it, but I've been trying and really having a hard time getting a think lather and it doesn't seem to lubricate well.

I tried a small synthetic brush (also in a tube) and my normal Thater 4249/4 silver tip badger, and not having much success. I see it in your tier 3, so I'm wondering if it is something I'm doing wrong, as it performs poorly for me. Is there something else I can do, to make this usable for travel/face shaving? If not, are there other soaps that I could use for travel?

Thanks!