Thread: Soaps or creams

What gives the best shave with a straight? Soap or cream?
Any advice appreciated.

Well I haven't tried them all, but I've put in a lot of money into soaps and creams. If I'd started with castle forbes I may not have spent as much. Try castle forbes, it is a top cream and my go to recently.

Either can give good results but I think most would agree that a cream is easier to lather than a hard soap for a beginner. You don't have to spend a ton of money on either variety to get good results. The problem with asking what is "best" is that a lot is personal preference which you can only get by trying a few out. There is a long running thread on top tier soaps which should give you an idea of what to try. http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...ps-creams.html

Bob

As Bob said creams are by and large easier to make a great lather but some swear that a triple milled hard soap makes the best lather. Personal preference is key in most things in this game. One thing to bare in mind is water hardness, so what works for some might not work as well for others.
And yes Castle Forbes is magnificent.

I use both, but I agree, creams are easier to lather for a beginner. I don't find very much difference in the lather quality between high quality soaps and creams, so I generally shop by scent. Now that I am proficient with soap lather as well, I choose soaps over creams if the scent is offered in both, but that's just a preference, not related to quality of lather.

The easiest, slickest cream I ever used is Wm. Neumann...it still has a place in my rotation, the 1911 scent is great.

I use both. I have lots of lots years worth.

Either works when wet, both are tough when too dry

I do find that the soaps and creams most often referenced here work very well. I find many soap companies that have smaller followings trade on great scents but performance may be almost there but not quite.

Originally Posted by prodigy

Well I haven't tried them all, but I've put in a lot of money into soaps and creams. If I'd started with castle forbes I may not have spent as much. Try castle forbes, it is a top cream and my go to recently.

Do you have thoughts on particular Castle Forbes scents?

Originally Posted by benhunt

Do you have thoughts on particular Castle Forbes scents?

I've tried a sample of the cedar and have a full size tub of lime. Both are great, it's only a matter of time before I buy full size tubs of the cedar and lavender. You can find places online that sell sample sizes, might help making the choice of brand and scent a little easier before committing. However, I doubt you'd be dissappointed in castle forbes.

Originally Posted by prodigy

I've tried a sample of the cedar and have a full size tub of lime. Both are great, it's only a matter of time before I buy full size tubs of the cedar and lavender. You can find places online that sell sample sizes, might help making the choice of brand and scent a little easier before committing. However, I doubt you'd be dissappointed in castle forbes.

Thanks for the input - I think I'll have to try some samples from Maggard's.

On another note, I recently tried D.R. Harris hard soap, and it's really great - wished I tried it earlier.

Boy, there are a Ton of soaps and creams out there, a link or way to get the products mentioned might help some folks that do not have good google foo.

Just my 2 cent's, Noxema, and Col. Conks Bay rum soap have worked excellent for me, dab your brush into the noxema and get a small bit on then run into the soap or cream, the Noxema does soften your beard and sure leaves a smooth face after. The V.A. hospital had Williams soap on the shelf for a Whopping .99 Cents, I didn't like it but have only used it twice, but hey .99 works fine in a pinch.

Frugal is right in line with Common Sense, I have almost too much common sense so if you need some I'll sell you some, but only those who really need it may contact me.

Seriously though Gent's, don't go Hawwwggg wild buying soaps and creams for big Bucks because there are so many and So Many good deals, take your sweet time and enjoy.

Guys keep mentioning Lime scented and Cedar scented, might try one of those flavors next.