[bbshriver]

Just curious to know the various pro/con of soaps versus creams?
I have mostly soaps but did get some Castle Forbes cream. Both seem to do pretty much the same thing for me, just curious to know why one might choose one versus another?

[thebigspendur]

Its strictly what you prefer. In general one is no better than the other because of it being a soap versus a cream. Some think a soap is more traditional and some think a cream is easier to work with.

[gssixgun]

Soaps also have a tendency to give slightly better glide, where Creams tend to give better cushion.....
Is there a huge difference between the two??? NO, but hey to each their own, or in my case I don't chose I use both together

[jnich67]

For me, creams generally make a denser more "cushiony" lather than soaps. Soaps make a lighter, slightly slicker lather. With a straight, I generally use the soaps because the lighter lather allows more feedback and gives me a better sense of where the razor is what its doing. With a DE, I always liked the heavier lather of a cream. That said, I certainly use and enjoy both. YMMV and all that...

Jordan

[chief]

I've used Trumpers soap for a year now, but lately I find myself using plain Palmolive cream because I like it's freshness and it's easier and quicker for everyday shaves.
For those 'special shaves' I still return to the Trumpers Coconut.

[Kees]

It is all a matter of preference. However I feel there are more creams than soaps available so you're bound to find more shavers prefer creams than soaps.

Soaps and creams are both basically esterified fats and oils with additives.

IIRC we were taught in high school that if you esterify fats or oils with sodium hydroxide you get a solid soap and if you use potassium hydroxide you get liquid soap. I can hardly imagine that the soidum or potassium ions make the difference.

[Lucius]

I started on creams, and just recently picked up some soaps.

I find the soaps to be slightly slicker, but the creams definitely give you more lather/cushion. I think the creams are a little quicker to lather up as well.

I suppose if I had to pick one to use, it would be a cream, but I wouldn't consider either "better" than the other. There probably is more variety of creams generally speaking, but I haven't seen anything that comes close to offering the selection that Mama Bear has.

[JimmyH-AD]

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Soaps also have a tendency to give slightly better glide, where Creams tend to give better cushion.....
Is there a huge difference between the two??? NO, but hey to each their own, or in my case I don't chose I use both together

+1 On using both together. Since I started that I haven't looked back.

[RichZ]

Creams are the best. Especially Castle Forbes.

[Kees]

Originally Posted by RichZ

Creams are the best. Especially Castle Forbes.

My wallet thinks CF are the worst.

[loueedacat]

Originally Posted by bbshriver

Just curious to know the various pro/con of soaps versus creams?
I have mostly soaps but did get some Castle Forbes cream. Both seem to do pretty much the same thing for me, just curious to know why one might choose one versus another?

That's because Castle Forbes is a soap in disguise.

[RichZ]

Originally Posted by Kees

My wallet thinks CF are the worst.

LOL yes it is pricey... But I have only a few things that really make me happy so......

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Soaps also have a tendency to give slightly better glide, where Creams tend to give better cushion.....
Is there a huge difference between the two??? NO, but hey to each their own, or in my case I don't chose I use both together

How do you use both together? Mix together in the bowl? Apply one over the other?

[sicboater]

Originally Posted by Cheech

How do you use both together? Mix together in the bowl? Apply one over the other?

Cheech, Check THIS out!

Hope that helps!

-Rob

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by sicboater

Cheech, Check THIS out!

Hope that helps!

-Rob

Oh, man. I know what I'm doing tomorrow morning...

[sicboater]

Originally Posted by Cheech

Oh, man. I know what I'm doing tomorrow morning...

Be careful: You'll end up with one of THESE!

Have Fun!

-Rob

PS- don't skip the glycerin, it makes a big difference!

[gssixgun]

Cheech here is a step by step guide for making Uberlather....


The Illustrated Guide to making Uberlather

[English]

Variety is the spice of life and we are blessed that we still have so much choice.

Yes CF is wonderful but I can't afford it and so I disregard it.

It's cards on the table time.

Presently I have two good creams and two good soaps in the cupboard. The differences in shave quality I get are marginal.

Overall, I think that a good soap is more protective and slicker than cream. It takes longer to prepare and it never looks so bulky on the skin. But it is richer and you get a much bigger bang for your buck. I also reach for the soap when I have the time and want the highest quality of shave. I find creams to be....well, convenient and relatively expensive but not better.

If you use a soap though you really do need a good shaving brush to get a rich thick creamy lather. Most creams can be applied and made creamy enough with your finger tips and the cheapest of brushes will work well. Soaps are bit more fussy.

[xman]

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Soaps also have a tendency to give slightly better glide, where Creams tend to give better cushion.....
Is there a huge difference between the two???

This sounds like mumbo jumbo to me. Is there ANY difference between the two and what is it?
Creams are just soaps made with more moisture and in my experience they provide a slicker surface for the blade. A great soap is still a wonderful thing too.

X

[mbhodges]

I love the T&H avocado cream. I used a soap before switching, but now wouldn't go back. It makes all the difference in the world.