Thread: Pros and cons of Soaps vs. Creams

I've heard the argument before that creams are so much faster to lather than soaps. IMO the lathering speed difference between soaps and creams is negligible; with experience it's very easy to get a fast lather from a soap. The difference would seem to be in the ease of lathering with a cream, as they have a more forgiving water ratio. Soaps take a more experienced eye because the water-to-soap ratio is harder to nail down.

Of course, this makes it sound a lot more complicated than it really is. Lathering becomes second nature fairly quickly, to the point where you don't think about it, you just do it.

The other question that always comes up is which is better - soap or cream? While some members may be firmly in one camp or the other, most will love (and have a rotation of) both. Personally I can never decide which one I prefer. I'll shave with my creams for a week or two straight, thinking that my soaps will have a hard time matching up, and then I'll use a fine soap and hit one out of the park....

Best regards,

Ryan

For a cheaper trial pick up a puck of VDH soap and a tube of CO Biglow and test them both. Neither are top of the line but both do a good job especially for the money and for a beginer

I agree with Slur on boar brushes for soaps. I have both boar and badger brushes, and use both creams and soaps, but lathering a soap seems faster and easier with a boar brush, especially the harder soaps.

This is not meant to be argumentative but my soap lather is not thinner than my cream lather. I am using some really great soaps and I bowl lather so that may make a difference. Whether I am using creams or soaps I make really thick lather so the differences, for me, are in the ingredients that are in the soaps and creams. The lather off an English Fern puck for instance is nothing short of fabulous. I know YMMV steps in here.

Later,
Richard

My 2 cents having just really clicked with soaps after three months is that a soap maybe feels more satisfying when you finally get the consistent lather "wins", i'e you make a good lather 9 times out of 10 and have figured out what how you did. Have some nice creams, but have kinda left the trumpers and Penhaligons to the side and am enjoying the standard creams that people overlook becayse they dont cost 20 quid a pop

Personally, I think soap is the classic way to do it. Cream is more a convenience. Is one better than the other? I don't think so in general.

I just think that a decent quality soap OR cream will lead to a great BBS shave. As has been said before on this thread, the more experience, the less it will mater, grab some shaving soap OR cream and start shaving, in a few month's you will have your own WELL earned opinion on the subject!!! And Above all else, have fun, that's what it's all about

"A round for the house and a BBS for ALL!!!"

tinkersd of SRP!!

I agree with tinersd. A decent quality shaving soap or shaving cream will result in a great shave.

That being said, if I had it to do over again I would opt for the following shaving kit: Omega Banded Boar shaving brush + Straight Razor Designs, Vintage Blades or Mitchell's Wool Fat shaving soap.

My reasons for choosing the above combination are: 1) economy--shaving soaps and boar brushes are more economical than creams and badger brushes; and 2) convenience--I have found it easier to make quick lather with a quality shaving soap than a quality shaving cream.

Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Personally, I think soap is the classic way to do it. Cream is more a convenience. Is one better than the other? I don't think so in general.

Creams also have stronger scents than soaps.

Originally Posted by Slur

Soaps are considered more difficult because most people use badger brushes.
For those who use boar brushes like me, soaps are as easy as creams or even easier sometimes.

+1 Up until not too long ago, I was strictly a soap guy. I have since dabbled a little with creams. Regardless, I'm strictly a boar brush user. Soaps and creams can both be face lathered but I think soaps are a bit better suited to face lathering. C.O. Bigelow and or TOBS Eton College are the two creams I've played with so far and highly recommend both. My next round will likely include TOBS Avocado.