New to soaps, recommendations appreciated.

I have used Williams in the past, I used to always shave with a Gillette DE Safety Razor, but then I couldn't find replacement Blades so I went to a Dchick Razor and the went to the disposable type and got tired of the blades getting plugged up and having to use two of them to shave. (Bic razors)

 

Arko is good

 

These are the best I have found so far:

Institut Karite Extra-Gentle
Kell's Original
Prairie Creations Tallow & Lanolin
Tabac
Arko shave stick

 

Save yourself time & money (believe it or not) by going ahead and getting Martin De Candre. Best soap on the planet and super easy to lather. The sooner you get it the fewer other soaps you'll be trying to sell to someone else.

 

Our own soapbuddy, Irena, makes a very nice shaving soap in practically any scent or scent combination you can conceive:

http://gingersgarden.com/index.php/online-store/shaving-soap-preshave-after-shave

She's a regular contributor to the newbie shave giveaway, as well.

 

For a pleasurable first experience with soaps, you can't go wrong with Arko or Tabac. As always scent satisfaction is subjective, but I like both of these. They make good first time soaps because they are fairly effortless to lather. They represent both sides of the price spectrum with Arko being cheap and Tabac being a little more costly. RazoRock makes really nice soaps that hit right in the middle. The Classic and Don Marco are both nice.

 

TSD Lanolin is top notch. Palmolive stick, Arko stick, Cella, and any old skool vintage tallow based is a great place to start. There are other soaps available but I recommend that you start with something that is easy to lather.

 

I do agree with much of what you say—MdC is a truly exceptional soap that easily lathers, although it comes at a substantial price. A single puck, it appears, will last a very long time.

 

I've used VDH, Williams and Col Conk soaps. My technique has gotten better with soaps and Col Conk Amber is in my rotation currently. I'm satisfied with it.

 

VDH was my first soap but won't be getting it again. I'm currently rotating between an Omega cream and Conk soaps which provide a smoother shave and all around more satisfying experience.