The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[BobH]

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!

Arko creates a good lather for me that is thick and slick. You just have to practice with it to get your technique for face lathering with a shave stick down pat.

Bob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z248xt0GciM

[Obie]

PCM,

Arko is a good soap. It can make big lather, too. The glide is good; the cushion is okay. For travel, the stick works well. Wet your face, run the tip of soap under hot water and then rub the stick all over the shaving area. About 15 second should do it. Then give your brush a few shakes and start making lather on your face. That should do it.

There are other stick soaps for travel: D.R. Harris, La Toja Manantiales, Lea and, I believe, Tabac, among others. I prefer the D.R. Harris sticks soap. Use the same method of lathering for all of these.