Thread: What's your favorite soap for its ability to make lather

For the moment, forget about scent...or cents for that matter! In my limited experience, I found Muhle soap to be the best for lather making, but I've not tried many different brands.

Which is your favorite?

I usually suggest the Arko shave stick. Gives a great lather no matter how hard or soft your water is. Also can be picked up for under $2.

Originally Posted by Theseus

I usually suggest the Arko shave stick. Gives a great lather no matter how hard or soft your water is. Also can be picked up for under $2.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but...

Thesus, do you face lather using the Arko?

I just got a few sticks of it and tried it yesterday, I spread it on my wet whiskers and face lathered. Although I got an acceptable lather, it was not quite to my satisfaction. I've since packed the softened stick into a small bowl and will try to pick some up on a wet brush and lather in my DIY scuttle, which creates great lather with Proraso.

Your thoughts?

Originally Posted by joebehar

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but...

Thesus, do you face lather using the Arko?

I just got a few sticks of it and tried it yesterday, I spread it on my wet whiskers and face lathered. Although I got an acceptable lather, it was not quite to my satisfaction. I've since packed the softened stick into a small bowl and will try to pick some up on a wet brush and lather in my DIY scuttle, which creates great lather with Proraso.

Your thoughts?

I use it both ways. When I use a bowl I just slice a thin sliver of the stick into the bowl and lather up like normal. Face lathering while using a shave stick, like everything in wet shaving, just takes practice. The technique is pretty much the same as lathering in a bowl but you need to figure out the nuances of water control with the brush. Once figured out you will get great lather with the stick.

In a scuttle it's a tie for me. MDC or RazoRock artisan limited shave soap

There's too many great performers out there to narrow it down to one. I suppose if I had to list them the usual suspects would be mentioned: Tabac, MWF, DR Harris, Xpec, TOBS, T&H......

Originally Posted by joebehar

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but...

Thesus, do you face lather using the Arko?

I just got a few sticks of it and tried it yesterday, I spread it on my wet whiskers and face lathered. Although I got an acceptable lather, it was not quite to my satisfaction. I've since packed the softened stick into a small bowl and will try to pick some up on a wet brush and lather in my DIY scuttle, which creates great lather with Proraso.


Your thoughts?

Could you pass along some info on your ‘DIY scuttle’? I’m trying to put together a skuttle that keeps my lather warm. Maybe you have some ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The four soaps that I use regularly are:
Mama Bear
Proraso
Tabac
Trumper's Officers & Gentlemens

There are many other great soaps out there.

For strictly making lather (my two all-around favorites)
1-Al's Shaving cream
2-MWF

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Its pretty tough to beat Als Shaving soaps. Proraso is another that works for me and even the old Body Shop stuff works pretty well.

+eleventy for Al's stuff. If we can delve further in to creams I love palmolive as well. TOBS makes lots of great lather, too.