Soap or Cream?

As a newbie, I'm going to be buying my first setup real soon, and am wondering what would be the best to start with...a shave soap or cream? I feel I have a handle on how to lather up a cream, but how would the soap work? Do you drop the puck in a mug and put water in and lather it up that way? I'm kinda at a loss as to how that one works.

Also, I'm open to brand/scent suggestions. Please keep in mind I'm new to this and would like to keep the up-front cost down until I get used to it all and start exploring the pricier options.

For using soap I immerse the brush in the water.
I let the water drip out of the brush and
only using the tip of the brush use a clockwise
movement over the soap until a nice lather
is built up. I alternate between soaps and creams
and am currenlty in cream mode. I find no
need to add water to the mug, just using whatever
water is left over in the brush.

John

I've said this on other posts, and I'll say it again, and again, those guys at B&B really have the lather thing down pat, I personally think it is because they have way more time to work at it then we do, no stropping, no honing, no restoring, etc;etc: Anyway here is a link I found way before it was made into a sticky, this is soap lather building 101.... Follow this exactly this way for a week/ than you can, like everybody else start to experiment on changing different aspects of this formula....

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21136

Thanks for the link. I'll check that out. I registered at B&B, but didn't think about asking there.

lol....read, read and re-read. B&B has much, much, ok lots of info on most lathering topics. But for inexpensive that works AND has fans of the products there are a number that may be had in your area....I believe.

First study a the differences in soap and creme and choose one to start. Look at your brush options whether you chose soap or creme will determine some of your choices in the brushes. Bowl or face is just about the easiest ....both!

My suggestions..
Spend a bit but not too much on a brush. Get one that works with both soaps and cremes. My first was a Savil Row 3118 it is a brush with a smaller knot (18mm) in Silvertip Badger. It works great with soaps and cremes and you can put the lather where you want it $75.00. The Savile Row can be found at QED on the second page under "other fabulous products". Another brush that gets rave reviews is the Shavemac....well priced and the guys at B&B will be happy to help you with it.

I would try a creme first. Why? Because for most it's easier to get good results with right away. You can go to The Body Shop and try their Creme $16.00. In fact they will give you a sample or two if you ask politely. That way you can try before you buy. Another well received creme is Proraso, it contains eucalyptus and I think it feels great. It can be found at QED or quite a number of other places. It also happens to be available at Bath and Bodyworks in the mens section. It has been rebranded under the C.O. Bigelow name, and comes in a largish green metal tube labeled premium shave creme. It also mentions being made in Italy $10.00. If you have a natural section in your grocery store or otherwise know where to get Kiss My Face products they make a shave creme as well and many like it $6.99. It comes in around six scents....

Bowl....go to Target and get a bowl, I found a rice bowl that works great for me $2.00.

Razor, well others will help you there....good luck and have fun!

I have four different flavors of KMF and like all of them although I like the Vanilla Earth the best. I want to taste it but I haven't yet. This is a swinging deal here. http://www.vitacost.com/Kiss-My-Face...-Shave-4-fl-oz You can get the 4oz tube plus the 11oz pump for $5.76. I love the pump with the generous 11 ounces of shave cream. Shipping is a flat rate $5 so get several flavors with your order. This is another good place to get KMF. http://www.advnut.com/kmf.htm I have the SR 3318 which is the same brush as the SR 3118 but with a different handle and it works well with the KMF creams.

bj

Well; the creams are easier to use, I think. They are a good starting point.
There are just so many choices....that is what makes this fun.

Why not both. Most people tend to purchase multiple creams or soaps. Try one of each and go from there. For a cheap and good soap, try VanDerHagen (http://www.walgreens.com/search/sear...=van+der+hagen)

Welcome, and good shaving.
Bill