Are there some obvious benefits of shaving cream over soap or soap over cream? Are there some decent references or postings to read? I have been using DR Harris soap and also Tabula Rasa (which seems more soap-like than cream) but have yet to try any tubed shaving cream. Suggestions or comments? Thanks.
I think the only real benefit of one or the other is that soaps last forever and a day. More return on an investment...though creams are easier to lather for most. I prefer soaps, generally. Mostly because there's no Mitchell's Wool Fat Shave Cream.
Jake, both the products you are using are very good. Harris is one of the better soaps, and Talula Rasa is one of the better creams I have tried. Soaps tend to be slicker, less scent options if you like milled soaps. Lots of scents available if you go with poured/glycerine soaps. Also as Jim said if you use a milled soap they seem to last forever. Creams tend to offer more cushion, and offer lots of choices for scents as well. I have a stash of both soaps and creams and use them both depending what ever I feel like using.
i try to get soaps nowadays because i get paranoid all the creams i have will expire before i get to make a dent in any of them:ashamed001
I used to think soaps had a slicker lather, but I've used some very good creams and it could be too close to call. Now days I find myself mixing my favorite soap (Tabac) with my favorite cream (KMF) to make a superlather. It's very nice.
I also prefer to make a superlather of cream/soap, as I find that soap alone can start to get a bit dry on my face and needs to be re-applied with the brush; not really a big deal but worth taking into consideration.
I'm more of a cream user, but I still love many soaps as well. Especially certain vintage shaving sticks.
I would not say there are any obvious benefits to one over the other. Unless you consider a tube of Omega or Proraso will fit nicely in a shaving kit. Other than that I have had superior shaves using both soaps and creams. It takes a bit more work to get lather from a soap, but nothing that should dissuade their use. The real key is finding those products that work well with your skin and whisker type. It's hit and miss really. You might find that one works better overall for you and wham...you're a soap guy or you're a cream guy. Or maybe you'll be like me and find suitable shaves from both types.
I find that when I use a soap and I'm shaving with a straight, the lather tends to dry out before I'm done with each pass because it takes me a little longer to shave with a straight. I get a little drying from the creams too, but its not nearly as bad and I can actually finish a pass before it dries out. When I shave with a straight, I get into a kind of rhythm I guess and it sucks to have to put my razor down and go back and relather a part of my face because the lather has dried out.
Im a soap user,but everytime that I use Musgo Real or Lavanda by Ach.Brito I just experience a "nirvana".Both worlds have great stuff to offer.
and i have also learned that Nancy Boy cream is an awesome substitute for MWF or Mamma Bear's finest!
I started out using creams but in the last two weeks have bought some soaps and I'm liking them a lot. Obviously different lathering techniques are needed but that is all part of the fun of learning about wetshaving. Pete
My experience is very limited. I used Williams for years and years just because it's what I found in the supermarket. Then Proraso and Cella soaps in Italy. Recently, I tried a few creams, Kent, Trumpers and Acqua di Parma and I noticed that they bring less water to the beard, which I what I think does the softening. So, I gave up and creams and am concentrating on trying all the different soaps.
