Thread: Good alternatives to shaving cream/soap

Originally Posted by DVW

Even plain old bar soap works in a pinch. Worst case scenario is to take a hot shower first or even a rag soaked in hot water applied to the face before shaving.

For sure and I am aware of any numbers of alternatives. I'll admit to having tried a bar of bath soap as an alternative. While better than nothing but by much.

Bob

I was thinking about all the great soaps available and was wondering, if one could use a complete tub or tin of each in a lifetime?

A few years ago, I asked my family to get me soaps for birthdays and holidays and pointed them to Obie’s list’s, (First Tier Soaps and Creams) I now have more than a lifetime of great soaps. I literally have 2 cabinets full.

Going through the MDC line alone would probably take 10 years. Add Czech & Speak, Castle Forbes, Esbjerg, Truefitt & Hill, the list goes on… there is not enough time.

So, MDC or Baby Oil and Hair Conditioner?

Yea… No!

Originally Posted by jamesbrown

Wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this article that I came across that suggest things like hair conditioner and baby oil as alternatives to shaving cream/soap. What are your thoughts?

Well James - I think you are hearing the general thoughts. I read the article and I have to tell you that whomever wrote it, is totally disconnected from real shaving. Why? In the very first sentence they say, "So you’ve run out of shaving cream and haven’t had the time to buy a new bottle yet".

I don't know of any shaving cream that comes in a bottle. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. You ever had any shave cream from a bottle? I think maybe a girl may have written this.

Anyway, it's you face and good luck with whatever method you persue.

Certainly there are alternatives. You can use water only but the trick is you have to keep your face wet which means constantly applying water and you have to watch your strokes.

Many years ago they came out with this stuff called "Amazing Shave". It came in a tiny tube and you applied it to the edge of the razor and you didn't need any shave cream or prep other than a wet face. Back then I was using a DE exclusively and the whiskers stuck to the edge of the razor like glue and was really difficult to get off. It was a flop to say the least. As I remember after the shave your face felt like it had Bear Grease all over it.

This same article has been linked to in at least one other shaving forum that I know of.

Bob

Tried about anything you could think of.. Hair conditioner, Ivory bar soap, tanning lotion, aloe vera gel, etc.. I was one of those idiots that thought the party should never stop and it didnd until i was about 25yrs old.. So when I finally got my shit together I was poor as f%ck for about 5yrs as I had to work full time to pay for my full time school, rent, vehicle, food, etc.. Many days of a dull off brand single blade practically tearing my whiskers with whatever lubrication i had.. Certainly wasnt all the time as barbasol and single disposable was the normal and i was fortunate to have had a girlfriend who worked as an aide in the hospital while she was in the nursing program so she would grab those lethal hospital disposables and small cans of shave lotion from work for herself and me..
My neck burns just thinking about some of those shaves!!

Jamesbrown. He feel good......He got YOU!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNdZpNUzFIg

Years ago, in my early days with straights, I attended a Coupe Chou Club get-together in France and met a guy who claimed to only shave using olive oil. Excited by the prospect, I returned home to give it a shot. It wasn't for me.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

Years ago, in my early days with straights, I attended a Coupe Chou Club get-together in France and met a guy who claimed to only shave using olive oil. Excited by the prospect, I returned home to give it a shot. It wasn't for me.

In a shave,lube isn't everything.

In no particular order, would you say that the purpose of shaving soap is to:

• Soften the hair by:
  
  • Removing oil
  • Providing moisture
  • Heating the hair
• Provide lubrication
• Provide a pleasing scent
• Apply topical ointments for skin health