A warm welcome to you from North Texas. You might want to take a look at some of the references contained in my signature line below for discussions of the 30 Day systems and more on shaving hardware and software. With that being said ... Welcome to the Den. We know you'll fit right in. So grab yourself a comfy chair, and give our threads a spin! Burma Shave
If a wetshaver gets his technique down, he can shave well and comfortably with mud. If you're now getting good results with can o'Barb (as do I), it sounds like you're well on your way and I wouldn't bother with soap out of any sense of "need"...the shave's the thing. But if you're curious, there's some great ones out there (I use soap/brush too). *the mud thing is very slight hyperbole
I've used all different canned soaps but always went back to my brush and soap. With canned soap including barbasol I did not get a BBS, Brush and soap Hydrated and lifted the whisker much better than the canned soap even when rubbing it in and using a wet hot towel prior to use.
Lakewood just south of Arvada! We should grab a beer. I'm free this weekend. 303-895-9818. Yak and Yeti?
I used Barbasol for 25 years with an occasional Gillette Edge or other brand goop, but these guys are spot on telling ya how much better the brush and mixing up your shaving lather is whether you use a cream, croap or soap. I've only been using the brush n' mix method for about 3 months. I haven't once wanted to use Barbasol in that 3 months. I saw a can of shaving cream in my parents' guest bathroom cabinet. I put some in my hand. It was thick and cushiony. It even seemed slick. Then I thought about all the chemicals in it and washed my hands. The next morning when I lathered and shaved, I was reminded at how much more slick the lather is using a brush and shaving soap. Another aspect that really captivates me, personally, is all the scents and types of soaps and creams available. There is no way you can get that from Barbasol. I look forward to picking out my shaving scent for that day. It's nice and enjoyable to pick out a scent based on my mood or how the stars and planets align that morning, etc. And, definitely welcome to TSD. You don't have to use a brush and shaving soap to be a part here, but while you are here consider others ideas, likes, shaving den goodies, etc. Enjoy! PS: Beware of the Enablers!!
The cans of foam and gels are too thick. Come in at room temperature. Usually I apply too much. When I shaved with my disposable I just shaved in the shower using water alone. I can see why a warm soap is much smoother and nicer.
The short answer is yes, the brush and soap is better than the canned stuff. But as Dubs and others have mentioned - the "ritual" of the shave is much different and enjoyable. When my schedule allows I enjoy a VERY leisurely afternoon shave. But, I consistently get up 30 - 40 minutes early just to shave. 'Nuf said
Some people can get just as good a shave with canned foam or gel. I am not one of them. I'm a head shaver and I prefer head lathering. I recently took a break from that for a few months as well as changing some of my directions on my passes to try to keep some ingrowns and folliculitis at bay. I had gotten used to 2 pass DFS shaves and for the past few months I had been settling for CCS. I thought it had more to do with elminating my diagonal passes in favor of just WTG/XTG. Turns out it had more to do with not head lathering. I added that back into my routine last week and my shaves have been awesome again.
Was it Theodore Roosevelt that said the best shaving cream is peanut butter? No. I think I'll give that one a pass.
