New member - would appreciate any advice

[spanky172]

Hi guys.

I'm new to this forum and would like to introduce myself and say that I think this is a great forum. I have recently decided to turn my back on my cartridge razor and canned foam, partly because the cost of cartridges is extremely prohibitive but also because I have always been fascinated with forms of traditional shaving. Eventually I would like to be able to shave with a straight razor, but I am taking things one step at a time and I have just ordered an Edwin Jagger DE89L safety razor.

Aside from this, I find myself slightly overwhelmed by the volume of products available. I was hoping that someone would be able to explain the difference between a soap and a cream and perhaps recommend a reasonably priced starting option for someone living in the UK (even though I realise that preferences differ).

Once again, thank you for letting me join the community.

[Giant Kiwi]

Welcome Spanky,

Nice razor choice, it seems most people start of with that one. I started with the Muhle version.
Get a blade sampler through connaughtshaving.com
Tesco sells Palmolive cream and soap sticks for a few pence each. €0.65 for the stick here so less on your side.
I have and use both.
Most supermarkets in the UK should sell a soap stick of some sort.
Don't forget to get a brush too. Boots sell the Men U brush which isn't too bad.
The difference between cream and soap really is a preference thing AFAIK.
I use both.
Just remember to take it easy and no pressure.

[duck dive steve]

Hi Welcome to B&B. Theres no real difference between a soap and a cream about from consistency. There are good soap and there are good creams its just finding what works for you. As for cheap products for cream I would recommend the Arko creams here http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/re...qid=1344447965
Also have a look at Prosaro http://www.barberblades.co.uk/index....ory&path=48_68
Also a good one is if you have a Wilkinsons near you they do a brand called Palm Olive which is £1.48 a tube and its great. I recommend the Palm Olive. Also seen it in Sainsburys but it was around £2 there but still not bad.

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[Locham]

I know how you feel about being overwhelmed with the products! I'd go with the Gents' suggestions above - it doesn't help to have a whole lot of soaps/creams when you're just starting out. I should know! I wish I'd stayed just with one for the first month or two while working out my technique. Depending on where you are in the UK you could find a good men's shop/tailor who can point you in the right direction for other things in the future.

Good luck, and welcome.

[sparco]

Welcome to the group! Enjoy the ride, and the great shaves it will provide you with.

As Kiwi and Steve, wrote its no right or wrong, you would just have to try different soaps and creams. Many prefers soap over creams and vice versa. To start with you could check out Musgo Real, that one of my favourite creams (out of 9 in my collection) It provides with a great, slick lather that is easy to build up and with a nice scent.

Also you could check out this page, for vendors and stores in England: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Engla..._and_Suppliers
or in The United Kingdom: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Categ...aving_Supplies

Best of luck

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!

[Pat.G.Boisvert]

Hi Welcome to B&B. Theres no real difference between a soap and a cream about from consistency. There are good soap and there are good creams its just finding what works for you. As for cheap products for cream I would recommend the Arko creams here http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/re...qid=1344447965
Also have a look at Prosaro http://www.barberblades.co.uk/index....ory&path=48_68
Also a good one is if you have a Wilkinsons near you they do a brand called Palm Olive which is £1.48 a tube and its great. I recommend the Palm Olive. Also seen it in Sainsburys but it was around £2 there but still not bad.

Welcome to B&B and I agree with the above! Soap and creams are similar in their use. I am a cream man myself but there are some great soaps out there too! Know what you like and search until you find it. Once that's done you'll forever enjoy your shaves. =)

[Dennard]

I don't have anything to add to the great advice you've already been given, so I'll just say welcome to B&B!

[spanky172]

Hey guys, thanks for the welcome messages. I will look into the suggestions, i do have a Wilkinsons near me so i will look there.

I do like the look of the soaps in the wooden bowls, but I am limited in my budget at the moment. I am really looking forward to my razor arriving.

[dpmtherrien]

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy everything about this site.

[shakin_jake]

I find myself slightly overwhelmed by the volume of products available. I was hoping that someone would be able to explain the difference between a soap and a cream and perhaps recommend a reasonably priced starting option for someone living in the UK (even though I realise that preferences differ).

Once again, thank you for letting me join the community.

~~~I've always found shaving creams needed less work to get 'shave ready'. Shave creams are a bit more emulsified vs. a standard shaving soap but there are exceptions. For instance, a fairly hard soap like Tabac needs a fair amount of work to build into a lather compared to a soft shve soap like the new Omega shave soap, a soft Italian creme type soap. Both
Tabac and Omega offer shave creams in the tube but the shave soaps are sold *not* in a tube...they're sold in tubs or by the puck yet some soft shave soaps are also sold in a jar

the omega comes in a tub but Tabac is more of a puck shave soap, meant to be used in their own (Tabac's) proprietary glass jar w/bakelite cover

when I started I bought a few different shave creams but then found that I'm fond of using shave soaps. Maybe I bought the gimmick but I prefer to load a shave brush with shave soap and build a lather on my face with the brush...more shave cream users build their lathers in bowls whereas more soap users build it on their face, but nothinhg is black and white...you can build a soap lather in a bowl and build a cream lather on your face

in regards to a reasonable priced starting option...I guess that would depend on who you talked to. An avid safety razor shaver would steer you into disposable blade safety razor (DE razors use disposable blades), feeling their chosen tool is the least expensive, what with blades selling for as litle as 6 cents each. OTOH, a straight razor shaver would point out that you never have to buy blades for a proper straight razor, that your intitial investment in razor, strop and a sharpening option would pay for itself in due time

That said, most n00bs are put off w/the thought of starting with a straight razor and just go DE and most stay there...until they hear the Siren's song


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

[johnf7478]

Welcome aboard. I am new myself, only about half a dozen shaves ahead of you,lol. The BEST advice I got was not to try too hard for, or worry about, a BBS (baby butt smooth) shave, in the early days. It will come soon enough. That relieved a lot of pressure for me.
Good luck mate, and keep asking questions, that's what I intend to do :)

[Attila]

Welcome aboard. I am new myself, only about half a dozen shaves ahead of you,lol. The BEST advice I got was not to try too hard for, or worry about, a BBS (baby butt smooth) shave, in the early days. It will come soon enough. That relieved a lot of pressure for me.
Good luck mate, and keep asking questions, that's what I intend to do :)

That's good advice there. Trying for a BBS shaves is one of the biggest mistakes us newbies can make. That and too much pressure, which goes with it...oh and also going over areas that don't have lather on it... Anyhow welcome and you've definitely come to the right place for advice! Enjoy the ride.