Does soap type matter??

rowboy85 · 09-24-2008, 08:04 AM

I'm still waiting for my razor to come in, but does the type of soap matter? Do i have to get special shave soap, or can i just get some wally-world brand and soap up my face. Honestly i've never used soaps and creams to shave, only water(something my roommate still can't get over), no matter if im using my fusion or my roomy's merkur safety. But I'm worried that going that way might dull my razor quicker...

nurse42312 · 09-24-2008, 10:19 AM

Does help! I tend to use Wilkinson Sword (tub), Erasmic and Palmolive (sticks) and Ingram (tube) - these are available here in the UK. They are inexpensive and give me perfectly good shaves. I can't comment on the "high end" soaps or creams 'cos I haven't tried them, too expensive at the moment. I wouldn't shave without cream / soap though, mighty painful.........!!!! Have fun, you'll learn so much here.

Best wishes,

Mark.....

dward · 09-24-2008, 11:38 AM

I firmly believe it is a personal choice. You can spend as little or as much as you desire. A good lather is essential, everything else is personal desires and needs. Some need a soap that keeps the face from drying, while others want certain scents. But as long as you get the lather you want, it doesn't matter. I would imagine that if the lather is good you shouldn't have to worry about the razor getting dull because of the soap you use.

KingKong · 09-24-2008, 01:35 PM

Yes soap matters, you don't have to be new to straight razor shaving (like me) to know that soaps are as differnent as the faces that are shavin. I started back in about March, bought a nice Revisor, expensive saops and creams, but I agree with Mark. I was turned on to Palmolive and Wilkinson Sword from the UK and it shaves even better(no razor burn) than the expensive stuff and smells great.

Will,

Wildtim · 09-24-2008, 04:55 PM

Yes soap does matter.

ANY soap will be better than plain water.

A good shaving soap, not necessarily an expensive one, will be better yet.

A good soap will provide a slick base that allows the razor to glide more easily, it will hold the hairs up straight aloowing them to be cut closer, and it will cushion your face from the harsh edge of the blade scrapping across it.

If you have NEVER used a good soap you have NEVER had a good shave!

The right soap will also help maintain you skin and improve its condition and appearance, as well as having a pleasent scent that makes the shave a more sensory experience.

Philadelph · 09-24-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildtim

If you have NEVER used a good soap you have NEVER had a good shave!

Nailed it!!!!!

AusTexShaver · 09-24-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowboy85

I'm still waiting for my razor to come in, but does the type of soap matter? Do i have to get special shave soap, or can i just get some wally-world brand and soap up my face. Honestly i've never used soaps and creams to shave, only water(something my roommate still can't get over), no matter if im using my fusion or my roomy's merkur safety. But I'm worried that going that way might dull my razor quicker...

The type of soap/cream can make a huge difference. Even before discovering the joy of using a straight it took me lots of experimentation to find my preferred brand...and that's one of the perks of shaving - finding the right match of soap/cream and fragrance.

If you've never used lather before be aware that some of the fragrances used can be irritating. There are basically two flavors, essential oil which is natural and fragrance oil which is synthetic. In general the FO products are more prone to irritating than the EO products but everyone is different. Also expensive isn't always better than cheap and it really sucks to find out that new $25 soap puck you just bought sets your face on fire.

Experiment and enjoy!