Thread: What's better soap or cream?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

In general and I emphasize that word Soaps tend to have a bit better glide and Creams tend to have better cushion..

As I'm still relatively new to straight razor shaving, could someone clearly define the terms "glide" and "cushion"?

Glide is the slickness of a soap, almost like if you imagine adding oil to the lather to provide lubrication and... well... glide!

Cushion is a little harder to define but the easiest way to think of it is that soap lathers tend to be a little thinner and have less volume, whereas cream tends to deliver more volume of a thicker consistency. Its that thicker consistency that gives the extra cushion.

Of course you can combine the two with a drop or two of glycerine to make uberlather and have the best of both worlds! Check out Glens uberlather lesson in the Wiki linked in my sig line.

Have fun!