A matter of soap...

[elsmooth]

Can one of you fine gentleman provide me with a link to information regarding the different types of shave soaps (i.e. glycerin based vs. others) and their respective benefits?

[kingfisher]

You might spend some time in the Shaving Soap subforum, for starters.

Maybe somebody else will come along with a good link or two.

[soapbox]

Start here.

The benefits of any particular soap are not necessarily related to their composition, so it's less helpful to categorize soaps and creams that way. Some people will claim tallow soaps are the end-all-be-all of shave lather perfection, but others disagree. And then you have to contend with face lathering versus bowl lathering.

The FAQ is also very valuable.

The board has a number of soap makers as members, and therefore specific questions will likely get good quality answers.

[strat1117]

Start here.

The benefits of any particular soap are not necessarily related to their composition, so it's less helpful to categorize soaps and creams that way. Some people will claim tallow soaps are the end-all-be-all of shave lather perfection, but others disagree. And then you have to contend with face lathering versus bowl lathering.

The FAQ is also very valuable.

The board has a number of soap makers as members, and therefore specific questions will likely get good quality answers.

Tallow soaps are the end-all-and-be-all of shave lather perfection.

[Gruder]

From one SEC fan to another, welcome!

[WhosYerBob]

Tallow soaps are the end-all-and-be-all of shave lather perfection.

+ Infinity!!!

[soapbox]

Tallow soaps are the end-all-and-be-all of shave lather perfection.

+ Infinity!!!

Well, I think so too, but not everyone does. So score one for being objective. Nyah.

[SRock]

Tallow soaps are the end-all-and-be-all of shave lather perfection.

+1 A proper Tallow soap is the best of the best and definitely dwarfs most glycerin based soaps.

[strat1117]

Well, I think so too, but not everyone does. So score one for being objective. Nyah.

I was just agreeing with you, Jesse.

I will say this -- there is virtyually nothing objective about any of this stuff. Like it or not, it's all YMMV. The only way you can determine what works best for you is empirically.

[mliguori]

Read up a little bit and try some out, best advice I can give.

[soapbox]

I was just agreeing with you, Jesse.

Yeah, but all that "lawyer speak" got me confused, Neil...

I will say this -- there is virtyually nothing objective about any of this stuff. Like it or not, it's all YMMV. The only way you can determine what works best for you is empirically.

I think things are slightly more objective than pure YMMV; some products are more universally capable/liked, and nobody is falling all over themselves to get a Rolling Razor, a Roto-Shave, an Infinity Razor, or a six-blade cartridge from Dorco. Feathers may tear some people up, but we pretty much agree that they're the sharpest DE blades available.

On the other hand, your suggestion that people find out empirically what works for them is admirable and I can only agree, without conditions.

[smudger]

IMO nothing is better than tallow soaps, no cream or other glycerin based soaps comes close to the lather I get from tabac or prairie creations.

[Mink]

I have an alternative for you. Far and away, the best soaps for me are the French shea butter, glycerin, and talc types. Provence Sante, Pre de Provence, and Institute Karite. These are especially good if your skin is a bigger problem than your whiskers.

[Swampfox]

Welcome to B&B!

+1 A proper Tallow soap is the best of the best and definitely dwarfs most glycerin based soaps.

Rob, we should stick to the nerd talk in the Clown House.

[gollum83]

Rob, we should stick to the nerd talk in the Clown House.

No, he shouldn't. How else is he supposed to meet his 90 post-a-day quota?

[SRock]

Welcome to B&B!



Rob, we should stick to the nerd talk in the Clown House.

No, he shouldn't. How else is he supposed to meet his 90 post-a-day quota?

Hey I'm passionate about quality shave goodies. If I weren't I probably wouldn't be here.