Thread: Soap or cream

I'm in the either or category. With my hard water soaps need some time to bloom but the end result is the same.

If I only had a choice of soap or creams it would be a classic English cream like D.R Harris, Geo Trumpers or Trufitt & Hill. Luxurious lather with a beautiful scent.

It all depends on what your preferences are for a lather. I like products that are easy to load onto the brush, easy to produce a smooth lather, extremely slick (both primary and residual), and one that provides a nice protective cushion to protect my skin from the blade. I prefer to use soaps or creams that contain ingredients that will moisturize and nourish my sensitive skin without the need for expensive after-shave splashes, balms and serums. I have evaluated approximately 175 different soaps representing 75 different formulations from over 50 different soap makers, both traditional and artisans. I have a system to evaluate each of these products on each of the criteria listed. Based on those criteria, the products I have evaluated range from barely usable to superb.

Of the products I have evaluated, I would consider half to be excellent or better. The only traditional product I have used that comes close to making it into the top half is Mitchell's Wool Fat. However, unless you use the puck frequently, it is more difficult to lather than softer soaps and creams, so it does not make it into my top half.

Although some of the traditional creams like TOBS, T&H and Trumper are easy to lather, the lather produced fails to excel at one or more of my criteria.

Some of the harder soaps like Pre de Province, DR Harris, SV, etc. are good, but do not excel on all points.

The problem with some of the better soaps is that they tend to be more expensive because they incorporate premium ingredients that are good for the skin.

Below is a listing of the soaps on my elite list. As long as you find a version with a scent you like, each of these soaps rates as superb on all criteria.
These artisans have been working hard to perfect their products, so most of the products on this list were released in the last year or so with the most recent released last week.
Since these soaps are all so good, I list them in alphabetical order.

Ariana and Evans formula with strained yogurt
Barrister and Mann Excelsior or the new SoftHeart formula which I have not yet evaluated. The later is a softer version of Excelsior.
Declaration Grooming Milksteak formula
Grooming Department Nai and Kairos formulas, Kairos was just released last Friday.
Murphy and McNeil Kodiak and Aon formulas
Wholly Kaw Siero formula (the Bufala formula with Water Buffalo Milk is nearly as good)
Zingari Man Sego formula


Although these are my top soaps, not everyone values the same things I do in a soap. If your skin is oily, or if you like using post-shave products, you might not value soaps that provide superb moisturizing and conditioning. If your skin is not sensitive like mine, you might not need a soap with cushioning. If have heard some folks say they do not like a soap with cushion as they believe they can get a closer shave if the soap has little cushion. There are well over 1000 shaving soaps and creams available in the marketplace, so there is something out there for everyone, no matter what their preferences.

Gentlemen,
I enjoy lathering with both soaps and creams. Equally, I should add.

I prefer soaps, but like Obie, I enjoy them all.

I find little difference between most quality creams and soaps and enjoy using both.

I have both that I like in the cabinet.. If I could ever get through all the soaps and creams i have purchased and just get down to 4 and maybe 5 tops i will be happy. Worst thing about that damn rabbit hole you go down with in regards to soaps/creams by the time you climb out you end up with 2 lifetimes worth of goods.. Harder to get rid of unlike razors, stones, hones and strops that can be sold or bartered with.. The 4 that I have used and have that I would have no problem using from here on out are .. CF's, MWF puck, original sandalwood AofS puck (not sure if underrated is right to classify AofS but it is a top tier in my book hands down), and Oleo Excursion.. I will include MdC on the list as well.. I only have a small sample of that and and though I've never downgraded its quality I have said in my opinion compared to CF's there wasn't enough difference between quality and volume to price for me to warrant purchasing MdC.. But if I only had 5 total in pretty it would be one of them... Anyone need any quality, clean creams or soaps so I can make this come true?
Scott

Last edited by Badgister; Yesterday at 04:15 AM. Reason: Artisanal is supposed to be one word.

I seriously can't stop laughing, that's too clever.

I am glad it amused you

Originally Posted by easyace

Last edited by Badgister; Yesterday at 04:15 AM. Reason: Artisanal is supposed to be one word.

I seriously can't stop laughing, that's too clever.

I completely missed that.

Ha !! As silly as it may be I definitely got a good laugh from it..