Thread: Shave Soap Vs. Shave Cream

Mostly cream but it's very satisfying when you get a cream-like lather out a good soap.

The only soap I've ever used, apart from the Williams cakes a hundred years ago when I first started shaving, is the Classic unscented soap from Ray I got when I purchased my bowl. I'm not too fond of it. I makes a nice lather but it's almost like it has too much lubrication. It actually makes my face too slippery and difficult to stretch the skin. I suspect it's because of a high glycerin content.

All in all, I prefer creams...Trumpers and Taylors, primarily.

Fellas, I'm ignorant to the cream because I only use soap. Tell me something, does the cream come in a tub that has no aerosol or is it like a charged can of Barbasol? Do you apply it with fingers or brush? Hot or cold? The last cream I used was a few months ago when I was using a Gillette. I think the cream was by Gillette too. Gillette in and of itself is a case study in Marketing 101. Say what you want about how well or not the razor works, those folks sure know how to make someone think that they're getting the best shave that's Earthly possible.


-Rob

Rob,

The cream that I believe we're discussing here (that from Taylors or Truefuitt & Hill, or any number of other vendors) comes in either a tub or a tube, and you generally lather it with a brush. Though some vendors do make brushless creams. They don't have any aerosol or anything like that. Since you use hot water, it should be hot.

Fellas, I'm ignorant to the cream because I only use soap. Tell me something, does the cream come in a tub that has no aerosol or is it like a charged can of Barbasol?

Rob,
Like Keith said, it usually comes in a tube or a tub. It is usually water activated just like the soap cakes are, can be hot or cold. Unlike the soap cakes, it is harder to achieve the perfect lather with cream IMO with different creams because they require differing amounts of water and soap with each brand of cream. If you haven't tried the creams, I recommend trying them. You can get free samples just by asking in an email to Truefitt and Hill or the Art of Shaving. Some guys swear by the creams so it's worth a try.
-Fred

I started with soaps and still use Williams from time to time. I've also tried ClassicShaving's soap and one or two others. I've been enjoying creams for quite a while now. I think the cream is thicker & more luxurious than what I achieve with soaps and produces a little nicer aroma. I agree with some of the other guys that the ratio takes a bit to get worked out, but once you do you're in the zone. I find that I can achieve the nice, warm lather feeling easier with soaps than with creams though.

I only use cream. I find the soap much easier to produce lather with but it leaves my face feeling dry. I have to deal with my face all day so its only cream for me. When I add "lather" to my hone, its really soap...

Well this is like asking a gun fancier which is better Colt or Smith and Wesson.

A quality soap or cream is just that a quality product. Each has its advantages. I prefer the soaps. I find the cream to be too thick and adheres to the blade. There's more tradition in the soaps. Does one or the other give a better shave? I don't think so.

I prefer soap. I like the fact that it is easier to rinse of my blade.