Soap/Cream/Straight Razros

I am a soaper, I love shaving soap.

However with straight razors, soap is not working for me, creams are.

I love the slickness and glide I get with soaps but it turns out that with the Str8's I need more cushion for the pushing.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

I stuck this in General because it covers 3 topics.

 

I digress.......i find that they both work equally. But.....that being said i do prefer creams. Dont know why...but i think its a bit easier to use...not shaving wise....just easier to lather/clean and what not. I do use super lather alot lately though.

 

U Need a soap with clay

 

Good Idea, may give TGQ a ride but that stuff is real slick. Stay tuned.

 

I suppose your enjoying those straight shaves now Will?

 

Another idea for the cushion, is to look for a cream with dimethicone (florena maybe?) I'm sure there are others

This will provide a nice layer of cushion, and even a little slickness behind.

Also, the The Shave Den cream has clay (and shea butter) - both of which should give you some "cushion for tha pushin"

 

Love it.

SRAD watch out, Doc's a coming!

 

maybe thats where some of my problems is coming from......doing more glycerine soaps....not allowing me to be cushioned.

 

I think I recall some straight shavers talking up the triple-milled soaps, and particularly D.H. Harris and Mitchell's Wool Fat. I've never used a straight, but early on I did have trouble using soaps as compared to creams, so I quit using creams altogether so that I would perforce learn to use soaps. Don't know that I would try that with a straight, though.

 

i have 3 bucks of Mitchell's coming to me....soon to be seen in THE HAUL thread

 

Well, so far what I have found is that a cream lather that is creamy and thick lacked the glide I was looking for in my straight shave. Once I got the lather just rich and creamy I added just a little more water to the mix to get just right for a straight shave. Remember water is a lubricant. I only used creams for a long time until Mike let me use some of his soaps. I then started using soaps and I was able to the mix just right. If I found that my lather was to thin I added a little cream and voila...superlather. This is why I got into soapmaking. I was trying to make a soap that had the characteristics I was looking for my straight shaves.

Of course different soaps and creams will lather in their own way. I think what is important to me in my lather mix is that I get lubrication, glide and cushion and by manipulating the elements, cream/soap/water, I make a lather that is just right for my straight shaves. In other words, I am personalizing my lather to my specifics needs. If I want a faster glide I use more water if I want a slower glide I use less water. This also affects the consistency of the lather so you have to experiment to get to your desire type of lather that you feel comfortable using. Not too creamy, not runny just the way you like the lather to be.

By coincidence, this was the same effect that I saw last night in a demonstration. By manipulating your mix you personalize your shave. For example, for quite some time now I have stop the use of the creamy rich lather for touch ups. At this point I use a lather that is higher in the glide factor than in density. Why? Because at the point your skin has already absorb the oils from the soap or cream so I believe the lubrication/glide factor is going to be present so all I need is a little cushion(water/cream mix) to finish the job. One way to do this is to use the lather already in your face for touch ups just add a little water to it and see if it is slick(glide)? It has been my experience that this is sufficient cushion and glide for the touch ups.

Once again, this are just my experiences so of course others will find it is different for them. I do know that you can manipulate the mix/lather to your specific needs and likes thus personalizing your own lather.

BTW last night I tried a product that gave the lather just the right amount of glide and consistency when introduced to the mix. I will use it for the next week or two and report my findings. So far I am impressed. Hydrolast Activator is the name of the product. It can be used with any creams and soaps and it is not specific to method shaving.

Raf

 

You got some catching up to do, bud!! :rofl

I have had very good luck with TGQ soaps, FWIW.

 

I find soaps give better feedback than creams while using a straight. I still use both, but for a closer shave, I like the soap.

Jordan

 

Try the Castle Forbes creams. Tops. I like soaps too, but this stuff is awesome!!

Lynn

 

A lot of folks have said get D.R. Harris, Wool Fat and other Tripple Mills.

Well I do love their Almond scent. Guess I will just have to save up 5 paychecks. :rofl

 

Right behind you.

 

Well, I saved my paychecks and the TM's worked.