Thread: shave soaps revealed

Stupid question: why are the Bond Street, Tabak and other shave soaps brands exclusively for shaving? I mean I used bars of Dove and Pre de provence in my life, but I don't think you can shave with those. So, what distinguishes a soap as one to shave with?

Thought I knew the answer, but after heading to a couple of nonshaving stores with soaps, I realized I had no clue, why a shaving soap was just that and a bath soap bar was not the same, or maybe it is?

Different formulations for different purposes. Protection/Glide/Stability over skin feel and dirt removal. You can bathe with a shave soap, but you'd have to be desperate to shave wth a bath soap!

Originally Posted by Sxot

Different formulations for different purposes. Protection/Glide/Stability over skin feel and dirt removal. You can bathe with a shave soap, but you'd have to be desperate to shave wth a bath soap!

Yes, a big difference in what they were designed to do. Just for S&Gs I lathered up with Ivory bath soap and did a shave. That was some desperate shave alright, doable but not very nice.

Bob

I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it, but I did recently see a soap being advertised as a combined shave/bath soap. If I come across it again, I'll post, but I shudder to think what quality of lather it produces.

Originally Posted by Austinoire

Stupid question: why are the Bond Street, Tabak and other shave soaps brands exclusively for shaving? I mean I used bars of Dove and Pre de provence in my life, but I don't think you can shave with those. So, what distinguishes a soap as one to shave with?

Thought I knew the answer, but after heading to a couple of nonshaving stores with soaps, I realized I had no clue, why a shaving soap was just that and a bath soap bar was not the same, or maybe it is?

Ever go to a paint store? Why interior and exterior and satin finish and gloss and high gloss and yada , yada, yada. I mean isn't paint, paint? Why not just use one for everything?

Same difference. The ingredients in soap change with the mission.

Originally Posted by Sxot

... but you'd have to be desperate to shave wth a bath soap!

I did exactly this for a couple of years before I knew any better.

If a shaving soap fails to meet my high standards, I always throw it in the shower and, luckily, some of those have been fantastic body soaps, so I don't feel too ripped off.

VDH Luxury states it can be used for both. I agree.
It is good for both.

For a long time i would shave in the shower. I would take my shower and before i was through i would soap up my face real good and use one of the throw away razors and rinse off in the shower and that was that. Saved time. It wasn't something i enjoyed just something i had to do. Now since i switched to the straights and retired i take my time and enjoy shaving. While in the shower my face was already wet and beard soft and it didn't need much lather. in fact there were times i just shaved with the water on my face from the shower .

Actually, you CAN shave with just water with a cartridge or DE. I've done it when in a lousy Army situation. However, it is NOT PLEASANT, either during or after the shave :-)