SRD vs Mama Bear vs Tabac vs VDH vs Bigelow

Can anyone give me some insights about how some of the common "lower cost" shave soaps perform ? ie: SRD vs Mama Bear vs Tabac vs VDH vs Bigelow Cream, etc.

Thanks.

Of those I have only used Bigelow and SRD. I really like both. I tend to prefer creams, so I would give Bigelow the nod, but the advantage SRD holds over them is the variety of scents.

Out of the soaps listed, I'd say only SRD, Mama Bear and Tabac are comparable. I'd also throw in MWF for good measure. Without going into specifics it's fair to say you can't go wrong with any of these brands. Nobody said choices are easy..... :)

You are just going to have to experiment as your water at home has a lot to do with the performance of the shave soap/cream. All you mentioned you can't go wrong with...Proraso is my main staple. I've tried a lot of the others, but my water doesn't do well with the tallow based soaps.

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.

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Originally Posted by Obie

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.

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Because I cannot say it any better I will just quote Obie. :)

Haven't tried a couple of those, but I've used the last three quite a bit.

1. Tabac - Great performer, and it often serves as a reference point when comparing others. Everyone should try it.
2. Proraso/C.O. Bigelow - Get the Bigelow cream and the Proraso "Sensitive" version of the soap (white tub). Skip the regular Proraso soap, which is nothing special, imo.
3. VDH - Not terrible, but you can skip it without missing much.

I have tried nearly every soap on the market. My conclusion, you have to try everything and find your own! Soaps, like razors and shaving rituals, are personal. My favorite right now is SRD Lime and/or Blood Orange. I really like Tabac as well. I could shave with either of these two soaps and be happy.

Just like the other's said, Most of it is personal preferance. Some guys get fantastic results with the inexpensive VDH and Williams. Some will uber them the make them richer, (adding glycerine and a dollop of shave cream) SRD, Mama Bear's, and Tabac are generally accepted to be better soaps. SRD and Mama Bear's are Glycerine based, and Tabac is Tallow based. Even things you wouldn't really think of have some impact on lather building IME. The brush, The way you build lather, (On your face, In a bowl/scuttle, etc...) Some brushes are better for soaps, while other's are better for creams. I've also found that using a larger vessel helps to build lather. YMMV....

Good point made by Zib. I even have noticed a significant difference in ease of lather building amongst differing types of bowls even.

If your bowl is smooth on the inside, if you can add some sort of texture to it like a ridge to two it will help for the lather. When I had Robert Becker to make my scuttle I had him to add a raised cross to the bottom and it really does make a difference. You could simply epoxy something like a coin or two to your bowl to help with your "whipped cream".