Thread: I guess I'm a Cream Guy?

So at this point in my shaving odyssey I've tried 4 different soaps of varying qualities and I've hated them all. I can't get a good lather, it dries weirdly and while I like the feel of my skin afterward I get a terrible shave. The 4 I've tried are Dirty-Deeds soap (an admittedly subpar kind...not really meant for shaving, I discovered), VDH, a menthol soap from Larry, and Bald Frog. None of them have left me happy.

Granted, the only cream I've used is from Real Shaving Co, but the consistency and use of cream is just easier and more my speed. I've never had a problem getting a great lather and it works superbly each time (well, adjusted for me technique, at least!).

Anyone in my boat? Anyone out there who can't stand creams and wants to chime in? I'll admit I'm bored so I'm going around writing frivolous posts.

Cade soaps and creams both work nicely.

You know how there are all these soaps that have been used for 100+ years? With names every wetshaver seems to know?

There's a REASON for that.

I've only ever heard of one of those soaps, and while it's a workable soap, it's still a melt-n-pour bit of nothing special. The cream you're using is, on the other hand, a top shelf product every bit the equal of the big 3 English brands. So....your sample set is not really representative.

Originally Posted by JimR

I've only ever heard of one of those soaps, and while it's a workable soap, it's still a melt-n-pour bit of nothing special. The cream you're using is, on the other hand, a top shelf product every bit the equal of the big 3 English brands. So....your sample set is not really representative.

+1. It isn't fair to tar and feather all soaps because some no-name varieties didn't work out for you. Before giving up on soaps try some of the good brands. There are tons of recommendations in this sub forum to get you started.

Ah. I had read a bit about VDH and Bald Frog that indicated they were pretty good. I guess I was mistaken; I thought it was fairly representative (bad soaps to decent soaps to pretty good soaps) but apparently I'm way off. Good thing I posted this then!!!!

You know, I prefer Shave Cream myself, but there are good soaps out there like the aforementioned L'Occtaine.
Tabac, MWF, SRD, P160 and Czeck and Speake 88 to name a few. Give one of those a shot, and see how you like it. Of course, you can always Uber the one's you have. Grab a bottle of Kiss my face, and some Glycerin and your in business.

I find myself enjoying creams a bit lately but that is mostly due to my hard water and stubbornness (i won't buy a water softener). The creams I have tried lather well with anything from my super hard VA water to well water from western OK and lake water in MA and VA.

That being said, I keep trying soaps. I like mama bear soaps ok but they don't offer the cushion I get out of my creams. The ogalolla soap isn't bad but compared to the creams I've been using it just isn't in the same ball park (real shave co., palmolive, Caswell Massey, TOBS, Edwin Jager). I need to spend money on good soap this winter .

I've been using Mitchell's Wool Fat soap recently. Works up a nice lather, but...because I'm a slow shaver...it can dry before I'm done. I've found that I have to add more water to the lather and make it really well hydrated to get it to work well for me. Perhaps you just need to coax the most out of your soaps?

I've also tried a cream from some company called Castle Forbes. Works very nicely. Why worry? Use what you enjoy.

I tried MWF for the first time tonight and it was really a lovely, thick-lathered, well protected shave...creams are easier and require a little less effort on technique, but there are some soaps I really would miss if I didn't have them (Trumper's Coconut...T&H Luxury...). Wetshaving is something you will continue to do and get better at for years and years...I guess if creams work for you now, great, but I wouldn't rule out a fairly large variety of great options so quickly...

D.R. Harris makes great soap. Spend the $15 on a puck of quality soap and your face will thank you.