What kind of shaving soap should I try next?

Hi,
     I just began gourmet style wet shaving for the first time. I have been using Proraso cream as my first latherer. Although I think it smells good and rinses away easily and cleanly, it's very difficult for me to work up a good quality lather with this substance. So I have been thinking about possibly trying something different..... perhaps a shaving soap next? If so, what would you recommend I try for a soap that is relatively beginner friendly in that it lathers up really well and easily even in poor water conditions (which I suspect I must have). I prefer 100% all-natural ingredients, but it doesn't have to be.
Thank you

Barrister and Mann Latha.  Lathers super easily and is a very good soap for the $$.

Also, I recommend getting a synthetic brush, "Plisson Style."  They are cheap and make lathering very easy.  It's like have training wheels on a bike.

Good Luck and enjoy!

You should be able to create a terrific lather from the Proraso cream. By all
means try other soaps, but I suggest solidifying your lathering technique first.

One can be overwhelmed by all the good soaps available.  I agree with Primo that if you're having trouble lathering with Proraso cream, you probably need to work on your lathering technique.  Creams are generally easier to lather than soaps, so you may want to perfect your lathering technique before moving to soaps.  If you do want to try soaps, you may want to look at the Asylum line.  Its tallow soap base hits all the key qualities, including ease of lathering, and you have a selection of very nice scents.  They're also reasonably priced.

Agree with the advice given by the two gents above. Watch some videos. Practice with the Proraso. It's a fine product. Don't go down the shaving soap/cream rabbit hole so fast (it's deep and not cheap).

You should trade or ask to borrow from many of the fine gents on the forum to help you get started.


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You might try Razorock Classic. I think it lathers great, smells great (almond), and is reasonably priced. Some of the cork sniffers in shaving forums may dump all over it, so be prepared for a variety of opinions.

(05-16-2017, 08:11 AM)surfshaver Wrote: Barrister and Mann Latha.  Lathers super easily and is a very good soap for the $$.

Also, I recommend getting a synthetic brush, "Plisson Style."  They are cheap and make lathering very easy.  It's like have training wheels on a bike.

Good Luck and enjoy!

This is what I have for a shaving brush: It says right on the box - "RazoRock Plissoft Synthetic shaving brush -24mm". I hope that is the same thing as "Plisson Style"...

Tabac. You may either love or dislike the scent,  but the performance is fantastic.

Stirling, great shave soap!

Castle and Forbes is a nice cream. For a soap few things equal the almond and cherry scent of Boellis Panama 1924, it's my preferred daily soap.

Thanks for all the beginner soap suggestions. I also think its a good idea that I practice more with my Proraso cream.

For the most part, lathering a cream is easier than a soap. It's the main reason creams were developed.  Work on getting a good lather from a cream first.
And i dont know if you said what method of lathering, face or bowl, you're trying but for the same reason as recommending a cream id recommend try face lathering first. Nail down face lathering with a cream first then move on.

I would recommend watching a few lather videos to get an idea of what works for gents. Proraso cream should absolutely lather and very easily at that. Perhaps use more product and start with a bit less water in the brush and slowly add water. I always believed this method to be a good starting point and can be refined from there.

Try everything! It'll happen eventually anyways, might as well not prolong the inevitable ;-)

It is notoriously hard to lather, but Mitchell' Wool Fat Shaving Soap is hands down amazing. There are a lot of great videos of people showing their technique, buy the time mine was delivered I was ready for it and had a great lather and one of the best shaves of my life.

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The (shaving) world is your oyster....

I think all wet shavers should try the classics...
Tabac
MWF (Mitchell's Wool Fat)
Cella
Valobra

The works of artisans can be overwhelming but you cannot go wrong with anything from

CRSW (Cold River Soap Works)
Mike's Natural
Barrister and Mann

There are many more but these seem to get universal praise.

(05-16-2017, 04:24 PM)Laird Wrote: Tabac. You may either love or dislike the scent,  but the performance is fantastic.

This is a good answer.

I love Edwin Jagger.