do soaps/creams matter?

Yes ,,,,,,,,,,,,

Aloha!

OP;

If you really want a super inexpensive trial, pick up some ARKO Shave Stick soap. Rub it on your face and then add water and a brush to do face lathering. Some gentlemen do not care for it, but many of us (that travel especially) really like Arko. Palmolive has a similar stick soap as do a few other manufacturers, but Arko is popular. It pairs well with Mennen Skin Bracer aftershave - ALSO very inexpensive. Add a Boar Brush and you are in business. You can also crush the soap down into a bowl easily as it's very pliable soap. Your choice. Most of us find it a surprisingly effective shave protection soap, especially for the price.

If curious check out the many Youtube Vids on Arko shave stick soap.

-Zip

As to just leaving it in the same bowl:- It does nothing to the remaining soap after it dries again eh? Doesn't change it eh? Make it garbage in some way? You would certainly be wasting alot less this way tho for sure.

Yea I'm goona have to find me some nice aftershave as well. Because I never ever use any. And I'm sure the Axe face care I have just won't cut it.lol no pun intended.

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Originally Posted by Wightman

Yea I'm goona have to find me some nice aftershave as well. Because I never ever use any. And I'm sure the Axe face care I have just won't cut it.lol no pun intended.

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If I may I’d like to give a few aftershave recommendations that are great to start with.
Clubman Pinaud
Aqua Velva Classic Ice Blue
Stetson Cooling Moisture
Old Spice Classic
English Leather
British Sterling
Any of these would be great to work with your shave routine and can be easily bought in store or online.

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Originally Posted by Wightman

As to just leaving it in the same bowl:- It does nothing to the remaining soap after it dries again eh? Doesn't change it eh? Make it garbage in some way? You would certainly be wasting alot less this way tho for sure.

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I don't find there to be any problems, no changes. I just let it air dry. I've done it with all different soaps without any noticeable changes. I started doing it after finding that I wasn't able to either load enough soap in my brush for my preference or, because I have a rather large brush, could not contain the lather AND the brush in my small scuttle. I found mixing it up in a $2 bowl easier. No cool babershop appeal but it works well enough.

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Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I don't find there to be any problems, no changes. I just let it air dry. I've done it with all different soaps without any noticeable changes. I started doing it after finding that I wasn't able to either load enough soap in my brush for my preference or, because I have a rather large brush, could not contain the lather AND the brush in my small scuttle. I found mixing it up in a $2 bowl easier. No cool babershop appeal but it works well enough.

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I like it, and think I may just convert that urn almost thin there I was going to use. Customize it up for myself a bit. You don't find it a big worry of it not staying warm eh? Just heat treat your face first real good eh? Should b fine eh? If you even bother with that. It's all in your preference, skin, hair, and how much you care eh.lol

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head, essentially it all comes back to YMMV. While the majority of guys around here prefer a nice, hot shave there's a few of us that prefer cold water shaves. Same thing goes for lathering and bowl versus face versus palm lathering (the last seem to be a minority). When it comes down to it the entire hobby is really about what your preferences are in soap, brush, lather, razor, etc.

Part of the fun, speaking for myself, is figuring out what works and is most enjoyable for me.

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Originally Posted by GreenRipper

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head, essentially it all comes back to YMMV. While the majority of guys around here prefer a nice, hot shave there's a few of us that prefer cold water shaves. Same thing goes for lathering and bowl versus face versus palm lathering (the last seem to be a minority). When it comes down to it the entire hobby is really about what your preferences are in soap, brush, lather, razor, etc.

Part of the fun, speaking for myself, is figuring out what works and is most enjoyable for me.

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Yup, no one size solution fits all here.

Bob

I don't know if anyone has tried Crown's Shave Cream. Just a dab on the head of your brush and it delivers a rich luxurious lather. It's the best part of my shave.