Thread: Basic cheap soap for a budget

I have tried many of the mass market soaps, gels, foams while perfecting the art of straight razor shaving and to date the best shave by far was with a tub of Wilkinson Sword soap in a blue bowl and for £1.49 I cannot grumble at all!

So if money is tight and you want a cheap shave then this is the best I think.
I must say it wont hold a thick foam but what it does do is leave a slick surface for the razor to glide over and I am sure with a couple of drops of glycerin it will as I have yet to try that.

Originally Posted by Thechef

I have tried many of the mass market soaps, gels, foams while perfecting the art of straight razor shaving and to date the best shave by far was with a tub of Wilkinson Sword soap in a blue bowl and for £1.49 I cannot grumble at all!

So if money is tight and you want a cheap shave then this is the best I think.
I must say it wont hold a thick foam but what it does do is leave a slick surface for the razor to glide over and I am sure with a couple of drops of glycerin it will as I have yet to try that.

Glycerine does not increase the foaminess of the lather, it will increase its affinity for water.

ARKO and Williams Mug are both cheap & both great shaving soaps.

The ARKO stick is very easy to make a first class lather out of.

The Williams requires a bit more effort and a brush on the firmer side might be advantageous. I soak my cake in hot water ( tap water ) while i shower. Drain off the water & get after it. Load your brush & go to your face & finish the lather there.

Amazon.com: Arko Shaving Soap Stick - 15+3 free pcs.: Health & Personal Care

TheChef,

For economy and performance, the tallow based Palmolive shave sticks (made in Germany) are great

I get mine form Connaught Shaving.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Sorry mate, I did not notice that your in the UK. Palmolive shave sticks are incredible and ASDA flog em for 44p.

I started making my own and It works fine,especially a soap I call "MIND CHILLIN MELON".I dont know why but it leaves my face cool after the rinse.

Originally Posted by Thechef

I have tried many of the mass market soaps, gels, foams while perfecting the art of straight razor shaving and to date the best shave by far was with a tub of Wilkinson Sword soap in a blue bowl and for £1.49 I cannot grumble at all!

The black bowl one is also very good, if one can still find it.

my experience with the blue bowl was the opposite. Most likely a difference in water, but I got very thin lather from it. My go to cheapos are Williams and VDH deluxe.

I agree. I've seen Williams Mug Soap get a bad rap several times, but I've found it to lather up great, and my water is so hard I have to clean the spout on my coffeemaker once a week because it gets filled with mineral deposits that quickly.

I use the blue bowl WS soap as well, also got the WS brush at the same time. Don't have any problem with it, does take a while to get a decent lather up but smells nice.

I notice BodyShop do a soap as do Lush (both places my other half likes) so might have a look and smell to see if I like them. If thye aren't too bad on price I might try them.