Thread: Are there a difference in soaps.

Is there really a difference in shaving soaps? I use a mug and brush and a soap available at the local store. I can tell the difference in commercially available shave creams and gels but what about cake soap.

Originally Posted by flteng

Is there really a difference in shaving soaps? I use a mug and brush and a soap available at the local store. I can tell the difference in commercially available shave creams and gels but what about cake soap.

First off, welcome to the forum!
I have not used a canned foam or gel since early April of this year. I started like you, a brush and a cake of shaving soap from the local drugstore. I still use Van der Hagen (aka VDH) which is a cake soap (I bought it at my local drugstore) and it takes a little work to get a nice lather and I also get a good lubrication from it when I shave as long as I add sufficient amount of water. I also use Straight Razor Designs Essential Oil soap which for me needs more water and as long as there is enough water mixed in, again, great lubrication. I found my skin gets a little dry after shaving with a soap, but I would not make that a negative; some after shave balm takes care of that.

I also use C.O. Bigelow (made by Proraso)which is the fastest lather forming cream I have yet experienced and I like mixing that with VDH or ESD Essentials for a nice ultra lather which works well with my Dovo Best Quality 6/8 and 5/8 razors. Then there is Cella, a cream that needs a fair amount of water and I found it works best with my Dovo B.Q. 6/8 straight razor. Where I notice the difference with all of them is the amount of water I add. As for shave-ability, I will confess that I lean more towards the two creams; they give me the best lubrication and thus far, the closest shaves. My skin is still moist after the shave and before I use the post-shave balm.

The main difference for me is how the lather feels on my face just before the shave and what I have noticed is that all four products I use really get my beard hairs sticking straight out which is something I never experienced with the canned products I used to use. Mind you, I also shave right after my shower and I wash my face well and I use a pre-shave oil, I have a good personal pre-shave regimen which helps also.

But if you feel more comfortable sticking with one product, by all means, go for it!! If you decide to try different products, remember, each product, everyone's skin, and facial topographies are different so results will vary. That's what makes this hobby so enjoyable.

Let me share some advice that one of the forum's mentors, Obie gave me, stick with one that you like, or try as many products you desire and experiment with mixing them but still have fun with wet shaving.

Again, welcome to the forum and I wish you many great shaves!!
Patrick

Originally Posted by flteng

Is there really a difference in shaving soaps? I use a mug and brush and a soap available at the local store. I can tell the difference in commercially available shave creams and gels but what about cake soap.

Yes....

Shave soaps differ a lot.

There are two types. Those that melt
and those that do not.

The glycerin soaps tend to be clear as well
as melt. They are easy to make and will
come in all possible fragrances. The fragrance
free hypoallergenic versions get used a lot here.

The hard milled soaps do not melt
and are harder to manufacture in
all possible fragrances. The old brand
names are well balanced and do not irritate my
skin.

Fragrances matter to some of us. I have
allergies and react to a lot of fragrances.
I have found that the old names and
old style hard milled soaps with subtle scents
work for me. The glycerin soaps with
big blasts of fragrance do not.

Glycerine soaps like creams seem to lather better
for beginners and are less temperamental.

Hard milled old brand name soaps give me
a better shave when I take the time
to build a good lather. If I am lazy or
in a hurry I add a pea size bit of Proraso or
Erasmic to the top of the wet puck.

Two hints for beginners.

1) Grab a puck of old school
Williams shave soap and a cheep boar brush.
Learn to lather with that and the big double
doors of lathering open for you.

Tinker, too much water, too little, too hot
too cold, this way that way... wear out
half a puck of Williams tinkering, it can be
the best $10 you spend... and the brush
will last for a decade+.

2) buy the refill puck of a soap and try it.
The fancy wood or ceramic bowl can double
or triple the price if you just wish to try a
puck of soap. If you like it a lot get the
fancy bowl of soap when you run low.

--
There are a lot of good ones out there...
Have fun.
Tom

Is there a difference between a Yugo and a BMW, a Casio and a Patek Felipe, or some ripple vs a fine aged wine? It's really the same. There are huge differences and you don't have to pay through the nose as with the other things I mentioned to see the light.

When I changed from Herban Cowboy to Cade soap, the difference was dramatic. Admittedly, Herban Cowboy is not all that good,
but the difference was remarkable. I've stayed with it, and their shave cream, ever since.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Is there a difference between a Yugo and a BMW, a Casio and a Patek Felipe, or some ripple vs a fine aged wine? It's really the same. There are huge differences and you don't have to pay through the nose as with the other things I mentioned to see the light.

What he said. Except that I like my Casio's .

Hop on to one of the fine wet shaving suppliers that advertise here and pick up a puck of glycerin soap and a puck of decent milled soap. You won't be out too much money and odds are, you'll like one now and down the road as you get better and techniques improve you will come to appreciate both of them.

As all have said the differences are multiple. Scent, latherability, lubrication etc. It's kind of like asking whats the difference between the 9mm and 45 and all the guns that fire them. LOL I think I might just have as many soaps and creams as I do razors in my rotation. The beauty is I can combine in many different ways so every day is a new scent and trial.

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

As all have said the differences are multiple. Scent, latherability, lubrication etc. It's kind of like asking whats the difference between the 9mm and 45 and all the guns that fire them. LOL I think I might just have as many soaps and creams as I do razors in my rotation. The beauty is I can combine in many different ways so every day is a new scent and trial.

Well said!
Martin de Candre is the .45 and Williams is a .22 in the realm of soaps.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Yes....

Shave soaps differ a lot.

There are two types. Those that melt
and those that do not.

The glycerin soaps tend to be clear as well
as melt. They are easy to make and will
come in all possible fragrances. The fragrance
free hypoallergenic versions get used a lot here.

The hard milled soaps do not melt
and are harder to manufacture in
all possible fragrances. The old brand
names are well balanced and do not irritate my
skin.

Fragrances matter to some of us. I have
allergies and react to a lot of fragrances.
I have found that the old names and
old style hard milled soaps with subtle scents
work for me. The glycerin soaps with
big blasts of fragrance do not.

Glycerine soaps like creams seem to lather better
for beginners and are less temperamental.

Hard milled old brand name soaps give me
a better shave when I take the time
to build a good lather. If I am lazy or
in a hurry I add a pea size bit of Proraso or
Erasmic to the top of the wet puck.

Two hints for beginners.

1) Grab a puck of old school
Williams shave soap and a cheep boar brush.
Learn to lather with that and the big double
doors of lathering open for you.

Tinker, too much water, too little, too hot
too cold, this way that way... wear out
half a puck of Williams tinkering, it can be
the best $10 you spend... and the brush
will last for a decade+.

2) buy the refill puck of a soap and try it.
The fancy wood or ceramic bowl can double
or triple the price if you just wish to try a
puck of soap. If you like it a lot get the
fancy bowl of soap when you run low.

--
There are a lot of good ones out there...
Have fun.
Tom

Nicely put.. and Yes there are definitely differences..

Originally Posted by tumtatty

Well said!
Martin de Candre is the .45 and Williams is a .22 in the realm of soaps.

That's one of the highest soaps from an artisanal maker compared to the cheapest common shave soap in America. Williams has fantastic glide but it's lather is pathetic. It just needs a little help mixed with other stuff to stabilize.

Herban Cowboy is total crap. We need to post warnings that it is to be assiduously avoided as a shaving soap. Only fit for body soap use if someone has made the mistake of buying it. Maybe in a beginner's FAQ along with the bad eBay razors.