Soap or creme?

Use a straight. You know it makes sense.
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Soap or creme with a straight?

Soap is the best
10
48%
Creme is the best
2
10%
Both are fine
9
43%
 
Total votes: 21

SolingenFan
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Soap or creme?

Post by SolingenFan »

I have Dr. Harris Arlington Shaving Soap.

This gives me a better shave than the Rose shaving creme of Taylor of OBS.
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Nitrox
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Re: Soap or creme?

Post by Nitrox »

SolingenFan wrote:I have Dr. Harris Arlington Shaving Soap.

This gives me a better shave than the Rose shaving creme of Taylor of OBS.
I also find the Harris soaps give superior shaves.
Bruno

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shave every day and you'll always look keen."
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fallingwickets
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Post by fallingwickets »

I ask out of ignorance, but does it actually make a difference what type of razor you use? Why would a soap/cream that you love and use with a de be any different with a straight?

Thanks in advance

Clive
de gustibus non est disputandum
Dave_D
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Post by Dave_D »

Mark me down for soaps. The razor used for the shave could have some influence on soap vs cream selection, although technique and skin type would seem to have a stronger role in it. My impression has been that across the board, straight razor users seem to prefer soaps.

Dave
SolingenFan
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Re: Soap or creme?

Post by SolingenFan »

Nitrox wrote:
SolingenFan wrote:I have Dr. Harris Arlington Shaving Soap.

This gives me a better shave than the Rose shaving creme of Taylor of OBS.
I also find the Harris soaps give superior shaves.
I bought the aftershave milk, a deo, and a shower gel of the Arlington range.

It is better than "nivea" or "axe" ... as a matter of fact ...
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rustyblade
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Post by rustyblade »

I prefer soaps when shaving with straight razors. I tried a cream last night as wasn't really satisfied. I find soaps easier to get the nice dense and slightly dry lather I prefer for straight razor shaving. I like the lather so the skin dries very shortly after shaving that area so I can then grip the area with my fingers to stretch the skin.
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Post by bernards66 »

Clive, Well, for many gents, it seems to. While purusing the different forums several years back, it seemed plain that the large majority of regular open razor users preferred the hard soaps, whilst more DE shavers favoured the creams. Just observationally, this continues to seem to be the case. I have my theories as to why this may be so. Cream lathers generally have a bit more cushion then do soaps, and since DE blades are thinner and sharper then any traditional straight, that little bit of extra cushion is, perhaps, appreciated by many. It's less called for, and maybe even less desireable, for the straight razor guys. Anyway, that's one possible explanation.
Regards,
Gordon
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Squire
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Post by Squire »

Soaps are the overwhelming choice for the reasons Gordon mentioned.
Regards,
Squire
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fallingwickets
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Post by fallingwickets »

It's less called for, and maybe even less desireable, for the straight razor guys
Thanks for the explaining. It makes perfect sense now that I understand the cushion effect.

Clive
de gustibus non est disputandum
dada
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Post by dada »

Gordon,

Could you tell me why cushion may not be desirable for straight shaving?

I get good straight shaves from creams, but (in line with your observation about straight users), I do prefer hard soaps. It may be more of the trad appeal... Also, when I first started using a shave soap, I was having difficulties whipping a good lather and learning to do so was a mini-accomplishment for me. Creams were never such a problem - so they didn't bring me pleasant feeling of achieving anything :)

Cheers
Ivo
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Post by Squire »

My take on it Ivo, using an open razor is more about emphasis on the razor. Learning to hone, strop and maintain the tool, along with buying, selling, swapping and talking about them in general. Since simple shaving soap works so well many open razor users simply don't go farther experimenting in that direction. Some of these guys might have two hundred razors, dozens of hones and strops, but just one shaving brush and a single cake of soap sitting in a former coffee mug.
Regards,
Squire
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jww
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Post by jww »

I like 'em both.
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Post by Squire »

Of course open minded gents like Wendell like them both.
Regards,
Squire
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