Thread: SRD vs Mama Bear vs Tabac vs VDH vs Bigelow

John, I have used all the products you've mentioned and find comparing them not as easy as one would expect. First of all, Mama Bear and SRD are glycerine based soaps, both quite good with moist lather, cushion and glide. Tabac is something else, a high quality soap with a cult following. I have used it for years. Van der Hagen is a lower end soap compared to the others and I find it no match for them in every respect.

Creams and soaps are from two different schools and I try not to compare them. Bigelow, made by the Italian Proraso, is a quality cream. Many gentlemen use it, especially at the start of their wet shaving life. Some then move on to other creams, not because Bigelow lacks quality, but because there is so much to explore. I still have Bigelow in my stash.

The fun part is to experiment with both soaps and creams and find what you prefer, although I suggest using both soaps and creams. Like anything else in the world of wet shaving, we have our preferences and what you prefer is the right soap or cream for you. The only way you'll know is to try as many as possible.