The Soap Rotation

I’ve come to the conclusion that shaving with a different soap every day is no way to test a soap. Better to shave with the same soap for a week or so and get to know it a little better. Maybe more importantly, see how it conditions the old face after some repeated use.

But this is new for me! It’s not that I get bored easily... well ok, yeah it is, but for as long as I’ve been wet shaving, I’ve changed my soap every shave. This week or so long thing, is actually more enjoyable than I thought.

How do you do it? Why?

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Originally Posted by earcutter

But this is new for me! It’s not that I get bored easily... well ok, yeah it is, but for as long as I’ve been wet shaving, I’ve changed my soap every shave. This week or so long thing, is actually more enjoyable than I thought.

How do you do it? Why?

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How: I use a different source of "suds" for each shave.

Why: I believe in affording equal opportunity to suds, regardless of color, cost, scent, viscosity, or country of origin.

Ill rotate the scent but they all pretty much come from the same place. But I agree with on changing up all the time. You can’t tell what is what.

not in any particular order, just use one i feel like at that particular shave . Why? because i like variety. Never even thought of trying to "learn" a particular soap to get the most out of it. Maybe i'll give it a try.

After shaving almost exclusively with the same soap for 50 years, I'm now all for trying as many soaps and scents as I like. I do have a handful of favorites, but enjoy mixing it up almost daily. Lately I've been having fun using soaps that I haven't used in a long time, some I haven't used for two to three years, and have discovered a few gems that I didn't know I had.

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Originally Posted by evnpar

After shaving almost exclusively with the same soap for 50 years, I'm now all for trying as many soaps and scents as I like. I do have a handful of favorites, but enjoy mixing it up almost daily. Lately I've been having fun using soaps that I haven't used in a long time, some I haven't used for two to three years, and have discovered a few gems that I didn't know I had.

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Feel free to elaborate :).

I rotate thru my stock. Use esch one the same except for test shaving. Then its the MDC. Got to have a solid bace line when test shaving.

I have narrowed it down to about a dozen soaps - just use whatever I feel like every day - the soaps
don't feel abandoned if they don't get used that often

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Originally Posted by greatbolo

I have narrowed it down to about a dozen soaps - just use whatever I feel like every day - the soaps
don't feel abandoned if they don't get used that often

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That's not what my Acca Kappa 1869 said!! :)

I have enough soaps for a two-month rotation. I have a variety including top artisans like WK, DG, Noble Otter, A&E. I have some of the old standards like PdP, DRH, TOBS, GFT. I have some inexpensive soaps and creams like VDH, Williams, and Cremo. I do not follow a strict rotation be use whichever strikes my fancy on a given day. The only time I use the soap several days in a row is when I am trying a new soap base and have difficulty dialing in the lather.

I keep a database of my soaps with date last used as well as scent and performance information. Every time I shave I reevaluate the scent and performance of the soap, updating the database if necessary. The reason I do this is that i find my perception of a scent may change over time or with the season. Also performance ratings can change. Many of the artisans have really upped their game over the past couple of years. As I have added some of these new improved soaps to my den, my criteria for an elite soap have changed.

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Originally Posted by RayClem

I have enough soaps for a two-month rotation. I have a variety including top artisans like WK, DG, Noble Otter, A&E. I have some of the old standards like PdP, DRH, TOBS, GFT. I have some inexpensive soaps and creams like VDH, Williams, and Cremo. I do not follow a strict rotation be use whichever strikes my fancy on a given day. The only time I use the soap several days in a row is when I am trying a new soap base and have difficulty dialing in the lather.

I keep a database of my soaps with date last used as well as scent and performance information. Every time I shave I reevaluate the scent and performance of the soap, updating the database if necessary. The reason I do this is that i find my perception of a scent may change over time or with the season. Also performance ratings can change. Many of the artisans have really upped their game over the past couple of years. As I have added some of these new improved soaps to my den, my criteria for an elite soap have changed.

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Man, I would love to read over your evaluations... I bet others would too. And yes, without a doubt, some soaps are more seasonal. Some scents are universal... I'm kind of hunting for those now. I find for me, that's a soapy scent if that makes sense. But it's kind of like a blue baser and grey pants. Every man should have one lol. The Yellow golf jacket comes later.

I have only three soaps in the rotation. I use a different one each shave. But I do use the same razor and brush for a month. I agree that using the same tools for a while helps me better understand their differences.

I have my soaps in two groups. One group are soaps actively being used and I use them on a random basis. The other are pretty much in storage. Every month or so I take one of the storage soaps and put it in the active group and retire the previous transplant back to storage.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I have my soaps in two groups. One group are soaps actively being used and I use them on a random basis. The other are pretty much in storage. Every month or so I take one of the storage soaps and put it in the active group and retire the previous transplant back to storage.

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That’s an idea. You must have a lot of soaps lol!

I buy a soap and if it is acceptable I use it until it is gone. If I think I can do better I will change then.

My last purchase was a kilo of Cella. Even after giving half away I have been using that for a while!

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Originally Posted by 32t

I buy a soap and if it is acceptable I use it until it is gone. If I think I can do better I will change then.

My last purchase was a kilo of Cella. Even after giving half away I have been using that for a while!

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Wow!! So you are that guy they make that kilo bar for!!

I have a few that I know I really like and a bunch that I keep trying to like, but can’t quite get there. Unfortunately, I’m not as organized as some and usually remember I didn’t really like the scent or the glide or the after shave feel until I lather it up. I’m beginning to think I should just keep the ones I really enjoy and leave the rest at the pay it forward table at a meet up.

And then I read about a soap, cream or croap I haven’t tried and start to obsess about trying it out just in case ... I don’t think I have SAD, but I could easily develop it.

Life is to short to use poor soap.

Toss the stuff or use it in the shower.

Just because it has gotten good reviews if you don't like it toss it.

It is easy to get on the SAD train, bringing on the need to buy/try every soap that has good feedback from others (ask me how I know). This does give a nice field of view and a better understanding of what is out there. It also helps dial in what pushes your buttons.

That said, I agree that there is no reason to use something which is average in anything which you find important. To me, performance is part of it, I also really enjoy the fragrance and the post shave I get from a soap/cream.

As far as how I rotate between my many, and growing, options, it is solely what speaks to me that day. No need to use one for X # of times to "learn" it. No one, two, three, etc. and next. For me, it is completely random how to make the daily choice.

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Originally Posted by DZEC

I have a few that I know I really like and a bunch that I keep trying to like, but can’t quite get there. Unfortunately, I’m not as organized as some and usually remember I didn’t really like the scent or the glide or the after shave feel until I lather it up. I’m beginning to think I should just keep the ones I really enjoy and leave the rest at the pay it forward table at a meet up.

And then I read about a soap, cream or croap I haven’t tried and start to obsess about trying it out just in case ... I don’t think I have SAD, but I could easily develop it.

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I go through bursts where I just can’t hold back. But I think from now on I’m going to stop buying things that are just good deals, or today’s flavor of the day. I’ve prepared a list of soaps I want, and I’m going to try to stick to it.

Oh and, I’ve given quite a few soaps away - it’s a good idea!

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Originally Posted by 32t

Life is to short to use poor soap.

Toss the stuff or use it in the shower.

Just because it has gotten good reviews if you don't like it toss it.

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I’ve never thought of using a soap as a... soap. Maybe I’ll try it.

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Originally Posted by 32t

Life is to short to use poor soap.

Toss the stuff or use it in the shower.

Just because it has gotten good reviews if you don't like it toss it.

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Originally Posted by earcutter

I’ve never thought of using a soap as a... soap. Maybe I’ll try it.

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Sounds good, but... shaving soap is formulated to provide the factors we require: lathering, absorption, glide, lubrication (and, of course, scent), but I've never come across a shaving soap that champions its "cleaning" powers -- after all, don't most of us shower first, or at least wash our face at the sink, before lathering, etc.? Don't misunderstand me -- there's nothing wrong with using shaving soap in the shower... remember "Save water, shower with a friend"?

At any rate, if I really want to use a soap as a "soap", perhaps the way to go about it would be to grate the shaving soap into a container, and then do the same with an unscented or complementary-scented bar of "real" soap, mix 'em together (maybe add a bit of water), form into one or two bath-sized cakes, and let 'em harden.

I have seen a few soaps that say they will work well for shaving.

I think for the “clean” to happen, we need to talk ph levels. I’m positive a shaving soap would clean - and leave your skin feeling better than any detergent soap. But I’m also pretty sure a detergent soap would probably be better at the tough stuff.