If smell was not a factor...

[ketan889]

If smell was not a factor, and the only way to judge your soap/cream is the quality of shave it gives you, what would be your top soap and cream pick?

Thanks guys, as I am trying to find the best soap/cream to purchase because it seems the scents fade relatively quickly and if I use a cologne that will overpower it. So I'm just trying to find what will give me the best shave.

[Scotto]

If smell was not a factor, and the only way to judge your soap/cream is the quality of shave it gives you, what would be your top soap and cream pick?

Thanks guys, as I am trying to find the best soap/cream to purchase because it seems the scents fade relatively quickly and if I use a cologne that will overpower it. So I'm just trying to find what will give me the best shave.
For soaps, either D.R. Harris or Truefitt & Hill. Both produce unbelievable lather and a great shave. For creams, anything by Taylor's. I have many of them, and they all shave wonderfully.

[roughrider]

C&E Creams and Soaps.

[crackstar]

I have a very tough time answering that. Perhaps Taylors or Crabtree & Evelyn creams.

Jeff

[threeputt]

Harris &/or T & H soap. Castle Forbes creams.

Jeff

[DoubleE]

Soaps - D R Harris or T&H. I love the lather both produce.

Creams - I couldn't give the nod to any in particular. They all seem to perform about the same for me personally. I would lean towards the three Ts however.

Jerry

[joel]

I forewarn you - answers will depend on beard type, blade used, razor used, brush, etc. You probably won't hear too many straight razor users going buck wild over T&H and D.R. Harris, as while they are superb.... they aren't AS GOOD as other options for straight razors - for example Tabac or Will G. Also - by quality of shave, what do you mean? Pure closeness, or comfort? How it leaves yoru face feeling afterwards? Detergent based triple milled soaps (Harris, T&H, Trumpers, Taylors) aren't going to leave your face as soft and moisturized as say QED, Tabac, Will G, Monterrey Soap, etc.

Overall if I truly had to choose just ONE soap, I think the most tractable for my uses would be Tabac. Outstanding for DE, Straight, Feather, etc - and leaves your skin reasonably soft. Super easy to use, and lasts quite some time. Next up for me - Will G. It leaves your face much softer, but doesn't cut as close as the tabac.

[ketan889]

Thanks for the information. Yeah, I basically want to get a nice shave(doesn't have to be super close as I only need to shave every other day with my hair growth) but I don't want any of the nicks/cuts I've been getting(although I realize it has to do with the fact that I've only been using my DE for about a week or two). I also am thinking about trying the Feather blades because I have tried the Personnas from Walmart and Merkurs and I feel like they are tugging at my hair at times(and wherever I feel that tug, I end up with blood there after I'm done). So yes, if anyone can advise me for the soap/cream that will shave the best with a Merkur Long Classic DE and Feather/Merkur blades, that is my setup. Thanks.

[HlSheppard]

Tabac is just phenominal stuff. I have never had a bad shave with it. As Joel stated, it just plain WORKS, no matter what method of shave.

In fact - tomorrow will be a Tabac day! :thumbup1:

[ketan889]

Where is the best place to get Tabac(either in store or online, I live in Atlanta). Thanks.

[HlSheppard]

Right here: http://www.qedusa.com/

Look under "other fabulous products"

[ketan889]

Thanks, and when you guys referred to Tabac, did you mean the soap/cream or both?

[Austin]

I think Tabac soaps are better than their cream. Nevertheless, the creams are not bad.

[HlSheppard]

Absolutely - the soap! (the Eau de Cologne ain't bad, either :thumbup1: )

[Nick]

Thanks, and when you guys referred to Tabac, did you mean the soap/cream or both?
The soap is very lubricating, rich, creamy, and gives a very close shave. Scent's apparently not a factor for you, but some people are turned off by the smell of the Tabac soap. I enjoy the smell, but some don't, and I don't care who you are, if you've got nostrils, shaving with a scent you find repulsive is no fun.

-Nick

[atnight]

Taylor's Avocado is probably the MVP for me.

[ketan889]

Do you guys think Proraso competes with the items you guys previously mentioned? I don't really have any creams/soaps right now(other than some samples from C&E and T&H) and I am thinking of placing an order tonight for an Omega tube/tub(not sure which one to get) in addition to some Taylors Sandalwood Cream(the jar). I figure that will be a good start and keep me stocked for at least a year(I shave every other day)...

[DoubleE]

Do you guys think Proraso competes with the items you guys previously mentioned? I don't really have any creams/soaps right now(other than some samples from C&E and T&H) and I am thinking of placing an order tonight for an Omega tube/tub(not sure which one to get) in addition to some Taylors Sandalwood Cream(the jar). I figure that will be a good start and keep me stocked for at least a year(I shave every other day)...

Personal preference plays a big part of each brand/scent/etc. I personally don't like the green Proraso because I don't like the cooling effect on my face. Others love it. You'll just have to experiment a little to find what works for you. That's part of the fun though. You can alwasys trade it if you don't like it.

Jerry

[Drew]

Joel-
I only use a straight razor, and for me DR Harris almond soap is the best shaving medium I have ever used. There are others that are also really good, but DR Harris soap works incredibly well for me.

In general, I prefer soaps over creams, although I used C&E sweet almond oil cream today for the first time and was very impressed.

Drew

[vontech]

If smell was not a factor, and the only way to judge your soap/cream is the quality of shave it gives you, what would be your top soap and cream pick?

For me, my favorite soap/cream of the moment is Will G's Peppermint Shea Soap. Joel switched me on to it, and I LOVE it! I was having no end of irritation shaving my tough beard util I tried this soap. Not so with the Will G.

Yesterday, as an example, I used his Peppermint soap with a Slant/Feather blade, did something like 6 passes, in all directions, and got the BEST SHAVE OF MY LIFE!

Granted that I've only been wetshaving for about a month now, seriously, so the Harris and other soaps and creams mentioned above may do as well once I get them.

In the meantime, for ANY NEWBIE, I cannot recommend this soap enough. I lubricates your face, and the lather lasts forever -- you can make mistakes (even with the Slant/Feather combo, which is known to nick people), and come out on top.

5 STARS!!

Tom

[threeputt]

I'm predominately a straight razor shaver, and my favorite soaps by far are the Harris and T&H. They give me a closer shave than any other I've tried. They also lather up very slick and creamy for a hard milled soap. I haven't tried the Tabac, so I can't comment on it. As far as a soft face afterwards, I've never really asked that from my soap or cream as I always apply a balm after my shave anyway. A balm in the wintertime at least, a splash in the summertime. Purely shave-wise, these are my favorite soaps. When I'm in the mood for a cream, I vary my selection, but as I stated above the Castle Forbes lime is my favorite if I had to pick one cream.

Jeff

[Rog]

Joel-
In general, I prefer soaps over creams, although I used C&E sweet almond oil cream today for the first time and was very impressed.

Drew

I bought the sweet almond soap from C&E yesterday and recieved a horrible red irritation from it, like shaving with ivory bar soap and a dull razor. but the palmalive shave cream i got from CVS (like a walgreens) was wonderful. I wonder if there is a difference between soaps and creams? or if the "scents" used do not agree with me. Or im not lathering right.....
As i read more and more here, there seems to be a method to the madness.
I might go broke trying to find the right combo. :mad3:

Will G's Peppermint Shea Soap sounds like somthing i would like to try, but i am worried about the reliving a bad soap experience.

[Scotto]

Rog,

If the C&E soap doesn't agree with your face, and you bought it locally, they will take it back. Good luck finding something that works. If you post a question in the General forum, you will likely get lots of help on your problems.

[ketan889]

I noticed a lot of people saying the Tabac gives a very close shave. Do Tabac type soaps(hard soaps) give closer shaves than say something like the QED shave soap or Will G's? I tried using Merkur blades and Derby blades, but they are both cutting me(even though they give me very close shaves) but I really like the Israeli blades in that they don't cut me. However, they don't give me nearly as close a shave(using the Will G). Maybe a combination of the Israeli blade and a different soap(which will let me cut closer) is what I need.

Would you guys say the Tabac results in a closer shave than Proraso from the tube?

I am interested in trying some of the QED shave soaps as well, how do those compare to Proraso?

[DoubleE]

I noticed a lot of people saying the Tabac gives a very close shave. Do Tabac type soaps(hard soaps) give closer shaves than say something like the QED shave soap or Will G's? I tried using Merkur blades and Derby blades, but they are both cutting me(even though they give me very close shaves) but I really like the Israeli blades in that they don't cut me. However, they don't give me nearly as close a shave(using the Will G). Maybe a combination of the Israeli blade and a different soap(which will let me cut closer) is what I need.

Would you guys say the Tabac results in a closer shave than Proraso from the tube?

I am interested in trying some of the QED shave soaps as well, how do those compare to Proraso?

I think most will tell you they can get a closer shave from soaps than creams and is certainly true for me. The creams will likely be more lubricating and provide a little more protection from nicks and cuts, a problem you already have. I used Tabac soap this morning and got an amazingly smooth shave from it. It takes my stubble a couple more hours to return with soap vs creams most times. I started out using creams but soap has become my weapon of choice for close shaves.

The QED soaps are very good soaps and as far as comparison to Proraso, no contest for me as I don't like Proraso green at all! I get amazingly close shaves with the Will G also. For the cost of these, it's worth giving them a try and see how they work for you personally.

Enjoy

Jerry

[wess76]

I have really enjoyed nancy boy cream. I have tried alot of creams and this one seems to work best for me.

[wess76]

Where can I find Will G's. I have not tried any soaps yet. This one seems like a great one start with. Thanks,Wess