Thread: Soaps vs. Creams

i started out only using soaps, but my friend gave me a soft soap (cella) and a cream (proraso) for christmas. both have been on heavy rotation since. i have more skills in lathering the soaps, and i don't have too many issues with it drying out. if it does, it only takes a second to whip up a new warm batch in the scuttle, which who doesn't like a second pass with fresh lather?

Apparently, I like to try out different things. Thankfully, The Different Scent and SRD have been helpful in this respect, as has the strong Euro.

The good news first: there are very few inferior products in the market. And as a beginner, there are some products that will produce results that are highly repeatable. I recommend Castle Forbes to beginners, because of its exceptional performance, and because the cream is very forgiving. I personally find Domenico Caraceni even better, but it is extremely expensive.

Soaps vs creams? Both, I would say. I still find using creams easier. As I usually get up early, and therefore want to spend as little time in the shave den as possible, soaps are usually a non starter for me. But I do use SRD's (lime and lavender) and MWF (thanks, Lee).

To sum this up, if you are looking for quality products, sort the reviews by average (as some thread starters clearly got carried away with their enthusiam), and try as many products as you can. Although Caraceni is the perfect product for me(!) at the moment(!), I am quite sure there is something even better out there.

Being a 20 plus year user of Col. Conk amber glycerin soap, brush, Merkur long handled classic, and spare mug out of the cabinet, it was time for a change. Got older and picked up straights 3 years ago. Col. Conk was okay, but something was missing. COMFORT!
So I started ordering some of this and that. Some of the products from the UK or Western Europe are a bit pricey for my taste. Fine products mind you, but a bit steep for an everyday shaver.
I'm into the the creamy, lathery stuff. I liked the amber glycerin because it was a clean smell and could produce a rich, thick lather, and left my face smooth. I just couldn't find the comfort level with a straight that I had with the Merkur DE. Then I'm still experimenting finding the right level of polish on the straight.
During the cooler months, I so far prefer either Vulfix in the jar or Musgo Real in the tube in conjunction with my scuttle. I also upgraded to a Vulfix 2234 brush. That hot, creamy lather suits me to a tee. Not real crazy about the Musgo fragrance, but it doesn't stick around too long. For the hot months, it's either Proraso or Dovo eucalyptus. Here again it leaves my face feeling great, and the menthol-eucalyptus just suits my tastes during warm weather. I have a heavy, coarse beard, though it may be gray, I have sensitive skin. The a fore mentioned products do well with that skin.
One might ask if your doing fine cigars, what's the problem with spending the cash? Since I'm sure there is a diverse group that are members of this site, if you don't have the cash, here are some alternatives easy on the pocket book.
This is by far the best wet shaving site on the web meant for everyone. Regardless of your monetary status.
You can still enjoy being a straight shaver without emptying your wallet. If you can't master honing and polishing your straight, send them to a hone meister. It doesn't cost that much and the rewards are priceless.

I like the Institut Kerite soap and use it 90 % of the time. Years ago I used Coates cream but have not been able to locate any the last few years. It was the only cream I liked. Some of the D. R. Harris creams were OK but did not seem to equal Coates in my opinion.

In my case, the balance tilts heavely towards the creams. They develop a heavier more cushiony lather as oppose to soaps. My favorites being: T&H Grafton, Proraso Cream dopo barba, Erasmic, TOBS Sandalwood..etc,etc. I am not putting down soaps, I do love MWF and Tabac as well. Shave on friends!

Originally Posted by Sirshavesalot

Soap+Cream+Glycerin.... hot damn amazing!!

+1 This three-way approach is my standard way to go.

I've never tried the creams. Soaps provide me with a conflict. I love the rich thick foam I can get from a glycerin soap but the smell doesn't last. I love the smell of Williams (call me weird) which persists nicely, but the lasting power of the suds is lacking. Right now, I'm using a nice soap from Gentleman's Quarter and love it. Maybe one of these days, I'll give the ceam a try.

I really dont care much for soaps at all.
Maybe I need to practise more on making lather from a soap.
I have 4 TAOS soaps, and I also have some mamma bear soap.
Neither makes good lather for me.
The lather is way to light and fluffy, and I breaks down after sitting on my face for a few minutes.
I truly enjoy the heavy thickness, and the whipped cream like feeling of a cream, and the lather will not break down on my face.
I will sometimes use soap in my uberlathers, but more often I will simply make lather from a cream + glycerin, and leave out the soap entirely.

Try a tallow based soap

Originally Posted by The_Pastor

I really dont care much for soaps at all.
Maybe I need to practise more on making lather from a soap.
I have 4 TAOS soaps, and I also have some mamma bear soap.
Neither makes good lather for me.
The lather is way to light and fluffy, and I breaks down after sitting on my face for a few minutes.
I truly enjoy the heavy thickness, and the whipped cream like feeling of a cream, and the lather will not break down on my face.
I will sometimes use soap in my uberlathers, but more often I will simply make lather from a cream + glycerin, and leave out the soap entirely.

I suppose I tend towards soaps, but lately I've had a few cream samples to try out, with pleasing results, D R Harris lavender in particular. I could bore for England on the virtues of Mitchell's Wool Fat, but other favourite soaps include softies like Cella and P.160 Morbido, plus the usual European suspects: Tabac, Irisch Moos, Speick etc. Tallow seems to work well for me.