I'm posting this in both, the "shave soaps" and "shave creams" sub-forums. I figure a sum of people may go into one and not the other. So, I'm going to be using my first DE this weekend. I think I have creams, but am interested if there is a preferable difference aside from texture. I've never done this before, so I'm looking to you guys to tell me your impressions of using a soap or a cream for shaving, and which you like most. Then, there's the lather. Never done this either, and there are so many techniques. They all seem to get the same result, but that is a basic observation from a novice like myself. I was wondering if there was a preferred technique amongst the masses, or if one does it any better than the other. I am thinking of going with the face lather routine - shaving cream, lather in a bowl, apply to face.
Hi MrChrome. I use both creams and soaps. I almost 100% make all of the lather on my face regardless of what I use. My scuttle simply keeps my brush warm in between passes.
With either technique or product, the choice is personal preference as to which is better for you...The best course of action IMO is to try both technique's (bowl and face lathering) and as many different products as you can...Check out as many videos as you can find to learn about lathering. After spending months going between face and bowl lathering and using soaps, croaps, creams and sticks. My final choice at least as of now is: 3 piece razor w/BullDog handle Corn Huskers Lotion as a preshave Arko shave stick soap mashed into a Ziploc storage bowl Bowl lathering using a bestshave.net #6 horse hair brush and a SS bowl Nivea "sensitive" after shave balm followed by the After Shave splash of the day.... Of course that said "ALL" choices are subject to change. Just find a choice that suits you and is comfortable and enjoyable for you
Eddie summed it up very well. It really doesn't matter at all what others prefer, you just have to try different products and techniques and find what works for you.
I like both cream and soap. Most of the time I face lather. Only you will be able to tell what works best for you. Try soap on the face, soap in a bowl. Try cream on the face, try cream in a bowl.
I typically like soaps a little better, but certainly like creams, although I have only used a couple, C. O. Bigelow and The Real Shaving Company. As of late, I tend to face lather with soaps, bowl lather with creams. It really boils down to your preference! Either one and either method work.
Apply shaving cream to face, use your brush to lather a soap and then lather the soap and cream together on your face for a super lather.
Corn huskers as a preshave, gonna give that a try. Worked wonders when I used to work in a lumber mill.
It's all personal preference, there's no "best" choice. I enjoy shaving "croap" or cream the most. it behaves just like soap except it's soft, which makes it easier to lather (for me)
As you can gather from the above responses... Bottom line, it's your shave. Enjoy it your way. Now as a newbie, you just have to enjoy the experimenting process!
I might try that idea, lindy. So I tried both, I did shaving soap for the first time because I had a lot of facial hair (a few weeks). It worked perfectly. I believe in the DE razor. Last night, I used shaving cream for some 2-day stubble. It took me 6 passes. I think I was having trouble with the angle of the razor, so I can't really say if I liked the soap more since the cream didn't get a fair shot. But atm, I am looking at soap for my go-to lather. Yeah, used both cream and soap at different times this weekend. I used soap on my beard and the shave was amazing. I really liked it more than any cartridge shave I've had. Last night, I had some 2-day stubble and thought I'd use the cream. It took me 6 passes @_@ I think I just had trouble with the slant because it was stubble versus long-grown out beard hairs. I didn't really feel the same protection from the cream either, but I may wait a week and see how it feels with more hair.
Glad you believe in the DE, Mr. Chrome. I was hooked on it from my very first shave, when I realized my face was intact and I had not committed suicide by DE! I've directly converted 4 people, one being my son, and they in turn have converted I believe 5 or 6. Only 1 of these converts did not stick with the DE.
You have to find what works for you. I have several creams and soaps and some are better than others. I do think that water hardness/softness plays a big part though. We have pretty hard water here so many products are pretty mediocre here but awesome while on vacation. The beauty of this "hobby" is adding to the collection to see what you like.
Way to go MrChrome! For me I like to try everything, and to be honest, I have usually had a good degree of success. I'm one of those people that likes to try everything...which is why my cabinet is full of creams, soaps, croaps and sticks, lotions and potions, there me even be a newt or two in there. I think technique, preparation, and focus are as important than cream or soap.
Why choose ?!? You can always make an uber-lather, using both a cream and a soap, I do that a lot. I tend to make lather in bowl in winters and to facelather in summer
I don't even know what that means...but I'm pretty sure it was on right. Is there a way to tell? >> Yeah, preparation is definitely important, as is knowing what to do. I researched a lot before getting a DE. On my first shave, it worked perfectly. Which is why I was bewildered with the 2nd. Maybe beginner's luck, or I have to look at my razor assembly.
Yeah, preparation is definitely important, as is knowing what to do. I researched a lot before getting a DE. On my first shave, it worked perfectly. Which is why I was bewildered with the 2nd. Maybe beginner's luck, or I have to look at my razor assembly.[/quote] Don't give up!
