Thread: Hard Soap

I found soaps harder to lather than creams until I got better at building lather.

When I used a DE/injector, I tended to prefer creams, however with straights, I seem to prefer soaps.

Soaps are a little more fickle to water/soap ratio, but once you figure out how to lather one soap, you can adapt pretty quickly. Glycerine-based soaps are softer and tend to lather more easily (QED, Honeybee, TGQ, Mama Bear), tallow/animal fat soaps also lather quite easily (Tabac, Kent), the tripple-milled soaps (I think Trumper's falls into this category) are the hardest and take the most effort to lather for me - this is simply due to the fact that it takes a little longer to transfer enough soap to the brush.

Regardless of the type of soap, they are worth experimenting with - I really like my Institute Karite soap with shea butter and I'm told other French soaps with shea butter (pre de provence, l'occitaine, etc.) are even better. The shea butter soaps combine the closeness of a soap with some nice moisturizing properties/cushion that are generally associated with creams.

My other exception to the norm is JM Fraser cream, which produces a very slick, glossy lather and gives me as good a shave as any of my soaps. (Unfortunately its only available in Canada!).

Having said all of this, you can get good shaves from creams or soaps and its really a matter of understanding the different properties of various products, learning how to build a good lather, experimenting and then finding what you like best. The nice thing about experimenting with soaps and creams is that its MUCH cheaper than experimenting with razors or brushes! One last thing is that you sould periodically revisit products that you have but don't use too often - I've found that some of the soaps that I found just so-so with my DE seem to work better with the straight and vice versa.

Long post, but hope this is useful.

Originally Posted by rum

... Not even openned it yet, just waiting to use up the huge amount of cream - that stuff lasts ages.

What's the difference(s)? Is one designed for a different skin type than the other? Is there a different in scent intensity?

I gave up trying to use up any of my creams or soaps. I just can't seem to help buying more. I think I have enough to last 20+ years. My SSAD is pathetic.

Jordan

Jordan, I agree with you, I too have massive SSAD. Every time I tell myself that I'm not buying anymore, I read a thread about how nice another soap is and I end up buying it. My lastest acquisition is Tabac which is a nice soap.
As far as lathering goes, I soak my brush in hot water in a bowl that's slightly less full than where the the brush bristles meet the handle so as to not get the knot wet, then I get into the shower.
After the shower, I pour out the water and give the brush a slight shake. I by swirling the brush around the soap about 30 or 40 laps, then I get my face wet again with warm wather.
I start to lather on my face, but if I don't have enough, I will build up a nice lather in the bowl and go over my face with more lather.
If you're still having problems building a good lather, it could be because you have hard water. Also, IMHO, it seems that pure badger brushes work best, then super badger and lastly natural brustle (boar hair).
Good Luck and don't give up!
-Fred