Just finished a Mon-Fri use of creams. This is more than likely the first time I've ever used a cream more than two days in a row. Mon - C.O. Bigelow Tues - Brut Classic Wed - KMF Cool Mint + 3 drops M Bomb Thur - KMF Unscented + 2 drops Em's Woodstock EO Fri - Tom's of Maine All great creams, but I still prefer soaps. I do like being able to toss a cream into to rotation every once in a while for a little change of pace.
I owe to myself many soap shaves, but too often I am in a big rush, so for this reason, I use mostly creams.
I started off on soaps. Bought a cheap Col. Conk puck and then upgraded to a EJ sandalwood puck. I tried lathering in an old Campbell's soap bowl/cup but found forgoing building the lather in the bowl and going right to my face was more productive. I also have a JM Fraser shaving creme bowl that I use and I do the same, i swirl the brush in, then apply directly to my face. Cant seem to get the bowl to work. I feel the soap works better for me because it's what I'm more experienced with.
JM Fraser's is one of my favorites. Didn't know they had a bowl, sure would love to see a picture of it.
I think he means the normal tubs. On their website they only have the tubs, no bowls. I think of a bowl as usually a smaller wooden bowl. But i might be wrong.
I'm currently a total soap man. Once my RAD on soaps fades (if ever), then a new RAD in creams becomes something to look forward to.
If I may, kind sir: AD - acquisition disorder RAD - razor acquisition disorder .... (to include DE, SE &/or STR8) SSAD - shaving soap acquisition .... (or just SAD) SCAD - shaving cream ... (CAD) SBAD - shaving brush .... BAD - blade .... or just say you have GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome
Since this thread was started I have made the switch to face lathering and my results with soaps have done a 180. Found that slickness that bowl lathering wasn't giving me, so now I'm a soap 5 days a week and cream 2. Go figure.
There is something very relaxing about preparing shave soap in a mug and working up a good lather. While I have used creams in the past, I truly feel that working with soap and a brush is a good part of a morning shaving ritual; sort of a moment of calm to prepare for a hectic day.
Excellent Point of Order. Either my "R" needs to be dropped from RAD, or "GAS" needs to be substituted. Got to get this right.
Not quite sure what the difference is (newbie!), but I use the one that comes in a sort of plastic container (Proraso to be precise), and its quite firm. I think it's shaving soap. No spraying or anything involved. Just wet my brush and swirl it in for a few seconds, then get straight to it.
AnB_Daddy, I like your idea of changing and using different soaps depending on your mood, plus that gives me an excuse to buy more of different brands. How do you store the different soaps when you're finished shaving and are ready to use a different one? I'm thinking of finding a bunch of small plastic containers with lids to store them in between uses. The only one I've bought so far is the Col. Conk in Bay Rum and Almond. Both come in a plastic container with a lid that snaps up and is hinged on one side. I guess it would be possible to keep it to store the soap in. As for creams, don't they usually come in tubes? I'd think that would be just the thing for travel, so you could pack less and just face lather?? Now....that means I need to buy everything available in a soap and a cream! Wonder if I can come up with some more excuses, er I mean reasons, to buy different products to try?
I keep all my soaps each in their own little bowl - three for a buck at the $ store. Each bowl goes into a zip lock sandwich bag to keep the dust out and the scent in. I have enough soaps and creams in the rotation that each one only gets used about once a month, thus the need to keep the dust out!
