Thread: Noob soap question - looking to purchase my 2nd soap

At the moment, I've just got what came with my SR starter kit, which is the OSMA laboratories potassium alum shaving soap. I've got some Amazon.co.uk. vouchers going spare from Christmas so I'm considering trying some new soap. Well, I have nothing to compare the OSMA soap with except tinned shaving gel/foam, so I'm looking for recommendations for my 2nd soap. I've always found the OSMA soap to be smooth, but I wouldn't really call it luxurious. It never seems to create much of lather on top of the puck, it's all done on the brush on my face & it seems to be a little thin. I have no idea if this is normal as I've nothing to compare it with. Scent wise I like nice clean smells. If I was going to give comparisons in scents from normal alchohol aftershaves I'd say I like Davidoff coolwater, Usher, & the wife recently got me some Armarni Diamonds for men that I like. To be fair the only fragrance I can say I've actively disliked is Joop because I just find it too fruity.

I've heard good things about Mitchells Wool Fat, so that's already on my possible list.

Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap and Ceramic Bowl (120g): Amazon.co.uk: Health & Beauty

Mitchell`s Wool Fat Shaving Soap 125g & Parker Mango Wood Shaving Bowl (T1): Amazon.co.uk: Health & Beauty

Does the bowl type on the MWF make any difference? I lather straight onto the soap/face as my bathroom doesn't have room for any more paraphernalia. Just curious if it mattered in the slighest.

Tabac keeps getting mentioned in good light as well.

Tabac by Maurer & Wirtz Shaving Soap & Bowl 125g: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Beauty

Is there any other recommendations you would make, & can I expect much of a difference from the OSMA soap?

Any advice is appreciated as I'm clueless. I wish I could walk into a shop locally & at least be able to check the scent but there just isn't any I'm aware of, so it's online or nothing.

Any help is appreciated.

Give DR Harris soap a try.

The MWF bowl doesn't make
any difference it's just something
to store the soap in.


Terry

I have been using MWF, Tabc and DR Harris Arlington in puck form these last few weeks. I really don't think you could go wrong with any of the three soaps for face lathering which is how I use them. I got just the pucks and placed them in Pyrex 1 cup bowls that come with lids, works just fine.

I have never used Osama soaps but it sounds like you may be using too much water if the lather is too thin. If you have hard water that doesn't help much either. I don't know your lathering technique but here is what I do. I swirl my brush in water brush, give it a quick shake and load the soap on the brush for a minute or two and apply the soap to my face. Then I add water by dipping just the tips of the brush in the water and work up more lather on my face. Repeat as needed till I get the lather I want. Anyway just a thought to adjust your technique a bit to see if you can get a better result from the Osama soap. If your technique is off you may not get any better results from using a different soap.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I have been using MWF, Tabc and DR Harris Arlington in puck form these last few weeks. I really don't think you could go wrong with any of the three soaps for face lathering which is how I use them. I got just the pucks and placed them in Pyrex 1 cup bowls that come with lids, works just fine.

I have never used Osama soaps but it sounds like you may be using too much water if the lather is too thin. If you have hard water that doesn't help much either. I don't know your lathering technique but here is what I do. I swirl my brush in water brush, give it a quick shake and load the soap on the brush for a minute or two and apply the soap to my face. Then I add water by dipping just the tips of the brush in the water and work up more lather on my face. Repeat as needed till I get the lather I want. Anyway just a thought to adjust your technique a bit to see if you can get a better result from the Osama soap. If your technique is off you may not get any better results from using a different soap.

Bob

I actually find the OSMA soap dry & thin. It produces a very smooth lather on your face, but it's not what I'd call thick or luxurious. Don't get me wrong, it's way better than supermarket shave foam/gel. Maybe it is the way I do it. I generally soak my brush in warm water for a while & warm the soap up by floating the bowl in the warm water & putting a bit of water in the soap bowl. Swirl the end of the brush on the soap puck for a while & then lather on face. Doesn't seem to matter how long I work the soap with the brush, not much seems to go on in the bowl. Starts lathering on my face, but either stays thin/smooth/dry, add more water & it just goes runny - I have no idea if this is normal or not. Like I said, nothing to compare it to.

I'll check out the Dr Harrison on Amazon.co.uk as I haven't looked for that one, but I may try the Mitchells, haven't quite decided yet. I did read good things about the Martin de Candre, but it's not available from Amazon (vouchers) & it's money I don't want to pay out just yet.

Thanks for the replies.

Kaden

Mitchells Wool Fat is anything but thin and dry. I get a little bit of lather when loading the brush on the puck but build it on my face.

Bob

The sky's the limit when it comes to soaps and creams. It's literally a new world for the uninitiated. I'd say go for MWF and Tabac, and once you've tried them there's many more to discover. Welcome to the wonderful world of SAD and SCAD.....

Kaden:
You'll do well with Mitchell's Wool Fat and Tabac. There is no difference in the puck that comes in the bowl or as replacement. Same soap. Other soaps you might try include: Provence Sante, Institute Karite, L'Occitane Cade, D.R. Harris soap variety, Trumper and Valobra. Eventually give Martin de Candre, Czech & Speake, and Joris a try. These last are top soaps at higher price. They are well worth the experience — eventually.

Did I miss it or has no one mentioned Cella yet?

The other recs are all great. You've obviously noticed an emerging theme.
MWF, Proraso, CF, Tabac

But please, don't forget the Cella. It's known for being extremely easy to lather. With little effort you'll have a very im

Did I miss it or has no one mentioned Cella yet?

The other recs are all great. You've obviously noticed an emerging theme.
MWF, Proraso, CF, Tabac, DR Harris, and those are all amazing and in my line up.

But don't forget the Cella. It's known for being extremely easy to lather. With little effort you'll have a very impressive lather.

It's an old (since 1899), simple recipie (Ingredients: Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tallow, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Aqua, Potassium Carbonate, Parfum), that's been in Italian barber shops for a years, so I'm told (never been to Italy). I would dare say it's the gold standard for Italian soft soaps (let the debate ensue It's also cheap.

It comes in the "red," a 150 gram red tub and in 1 kg varieties.

Cella Shaving Creme Bowl 150gr:Amazon:Health & Personal Care

Amazon.com: CELLA Shaving cream Soap - XL GIANT Size - One Kilo Box 1000GR - almond shave creme - Fills cella container 12 times !!: Health & Personal Care

Well, the wife brought home the Maca Root cream from the Body Shop yesterday & I gave it a try. For my first try with a cream it definitely produces what appears to be a more luxurious lather than the OSMA soap. Can understand why it's called cream. It's thicker/creamier(doh!) than the soap I've been using, also feels a little stickier, but it's just as good a shave as the OSMA. Still managed to nick myself a couple of times because I'm trying to push myself to do more ATG passes, I just can't seem to get a clean shave anywhere but my cheeks without finishing off with the Mach 3. It is getting more natural but no amount of good soap/cream is going to help my bad technique.

I'll keep the Cella in mind as well, but I'll have to have a look on the .co.uk Amazon when I get time. Unfortunately I don't think the vouchers are transferable between .com & co.uk.