DIY and Walmart 1.50 soap, advice wanted.

Let me first say that I searched and read all the past forms about walmart's 1.50 soap and everyone that used it seemed to have said the same thing. Lathers great, holds water well, doesn't dry fast, but offers no cushioning and pretty much should be a last resort (let's not even get into Williams...) so i was wondering if cushioning was the big complaint then couldn't you just add some and make it great? Is it things like olive oil that adds cushioning (not sure), couldn't you just melt it and add a tea spoon or two and it would be great? (practice is always good in theory, but theory isn't always good in practice). I currently use Col. CONK Bay Rum for $5 and its been great. Now... When I bought my 3" Big Daddy strop they sent me a sample shave soap ( Lloyd's Shave Cream: Lavender www.ballantinesoap.com is what is on the sample tin) now I just tried it about an hour ago and it was horrible. It Didn't lather well, it dried out almost as soon as I put it on my face, and it tore my face apart. I had not used anything other than the Bay Rum until now, but in comparison the $5 Col. Conk was a sports car. Just wanted to share. I'm not trying to bad mouth, just share, but if something I said is not allowed just tell me and I'll edit it out. Thanks

As someone who started shaving with proraso, and just recently switched to mitchells wool fat, i know that im still learning how to lather that soap. my first attempt made me think that it wasnt all that great, but i'd heard so many great reviews, so i persevere in learning how to lather that particular soap. Anyways im still learing and dont know how your experience relates to the sample soap/cream you got, it might be junk or it might need to be lathered differently to get the most out of it.

Instead of trying to customize shitty soaps, why don't you just buy the good stuff and get it over with?

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Instead of trying to customize shitty soaps, why don't you just buy the good stuff and get it over with?

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Because the cheap good stuff is $5-$9 plus shipping and Walmart is $1.50 with no shipping. I just wanted an opinion for when I do try the soap.

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Originally Posted by grant9908

Because the cheap good stuff is $5-$9 plus shipping and Walmart is $1.50 with no shipping. I just wanted an opinion for when I do try the soap.

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Well, if that's what you want to do that's fine. But when you factor in the cost of additional ingredients, your time and the danger to your face (by shaving with substandard lather) I don't think you're really getting ahead. In fact you're pretty much putting lipstick on a pig. Just a thought.....

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Instead of trying to customize shitty soaps, why don't you just buy the good stuff and get it over with?

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I fully agree with what you're saying but sometimes it's fun to try different things just for the sake of trying to improve something. When it doesn't work you can chalk it up to experience and when it does work it's a nice feeling.;)

bath and body works: co bigelo. tube is $5, and its a GREAT cream.
I recommend it to every single person starting out.

If it's the VDH soap, it will work until you save up the $5-10 to get something better. As has been mentioned you can find creams at Bath & Body Works. You can also find Macca root cream at Body Shop and you can also find an.acceptable cream from "The Real Shave Co" at a lot of Rite Aid stores. It's around $5 and they often do a buy one get one half price.

I've used the VDH, it is what I started with but after I found other options that are locally available I used the VDH as bath soap till it was gone. And I didn't regret it.

I am not going to knock your drive to be inventive if that is way you are doing it but if your goal is to get a good product at a low price their are better ways of doing it. As has had been mention C.O Bigelo Premium Shave Cream is a great product and comes in a travel size for 5 dollars and a larger size for 10 and typically Bath and Body works runs some type of special on them so they end up cheaper (I think right now they are having a buy two get one sale). Real Shaving Co and Kiss my face creams are available in many drug stores for about 5 dollars also. If you want a cheap soap you can by Arko shave soap in bulk of 15 sticks off of amazon for 19.99 + free shipping. Making it only $1.33 per stick. The CO Bigelo and Arko I would easily put up against any of the big boys and the Real Shave and Kiss my Face are not far behind that.

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Originally Posted by rearviewmirror

bath and body works: co bigelo. tube is $5, and its a GREAT cream.
I recommend it to every single person starting out.

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I'm with you on that rearviewmirror, I stocked up on the product. In fact, on Bath and Body's web site, the C. O. Bigelow shave cream is priced at $10 right now. It works extremely well for me. I like Cella too.

I didn't like the scent of VDH deluxe but it worked very well for the shave and always left my skin very moisturized and happy. I consider it a loser for scent and a winner for performance. Solid newbie soap.

I like VDH soap, then again I'm pretty much a newb. I did find mixing in a touch of Head Slick shaving cream makes it alot better. The menthol makes it cool on your face and the extra glycerine is great. If you want it even cooler use mouth wash instead of water to mix up your lather, I tride this too and liked it.

I like VDH somewhat better than some others I have tried. It fits most mugs. I add a couple drops of Glycerin bought at Wally World. That adds to the quality of the foam. Works for straights and DEs. Bigelow/Proraso is ok if you have a bowl. It does take some time to get your brush broken in, and a cheap brush may never do any soap justice. I have a VDH boar that I like better than my silvertip and black tip but another VDH may be trash only trial will tell. I willl not comment on other cheap brands of brushes as I haven't tried them..
Respectfully
~Richard

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Originally Posted by Geezer

I like VDH somewhat better than some others I have tried. It fits most mugs. I add a couple drops of Glycerin bought at Wally World. That adds to the quality of the foam. Works for straights and DEs. Bigelow/Proraso is ok if you have a bowl. It does take some time to get your brush broken in, and a cheap brush may never do any soap justice. I have a VDH boar that I like better than my silvertip and black tip but another VDH may be trash only trial will tell. I willl not comment on other cheap brands of brushes as I haven't tried them..
Respectfully
~Richard

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I have the same brush with no complaints. Got it for $5.50 at the BX, for the first week had hairs coming off each time I used it but that stopped and it works great now.

Update to the trickwith the mouthwash instead of water to make lather. It feels cool but for some reason it effects the "glide" of your blade if you use to much. Maybe it's the alcohol.

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Originally Posted by Mastershake

I have the same brush with no complaints. Got it for $5.50 at the BX, for the first week had hairs coming off each time I used it but that stopped and it works great now.

Update to the trickwith the mouthwash instead of water to make lather. It feels cool but for some reason it effects the "glide" of your blade if you use to much. Maybe it's the alcohol.

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but your face will be minty fresh.... :D

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Originally Posted by Mastershake

I have the same brush with no complaints. Got it for $5.50 at the BX, for the first week had hairs coming off each time I used it but that stopped and it works great now.

Update to the trickwith the mouthwash instead of water to make lather. It feels cool but for some reason it effects the "glide" of your blade if you use to much. Maybe it's the alcohol.

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You really don't want to be putting mouthwash in your lather. The alcohol will really dry your skin out and make you more prom to razor burn, in addition to killing the glide.
If you want menthol there are many great soaps and creams out there or to keep with the DIY, go to a health food store and pick up some menthol crystals. You can crush some up and toss those in. The more menthol the more water that is needed, generally speaking.

Kiss My Face have some SERIOUSLY great shaving creams. There all natural, and lather SOOOO easy. There under $5 and will last you months, I swear. You can find it locally sometimes too.