#1
(This post was last modified: 08-07-2015, 01:27 PM by Dslack3.)
I think we could all agree that a well rounded soap is ideal, however, of the most commonly spoken about characteristics of soap (smell, lather ability, cushion, slickness, post shave, etc) which do you place the most importance on when choosing a soap? Why?

I'll start. For me the most important characteristic is slickness. I have always battled with sensitive skin and irritation while shaving. I have a very thick coarse beard and I find that the slicker the soap is the less irritation I get, and I am able to achieve a higher quality shave. 

Share your Hiearchy of soap selecting.
#2

Member
Metro Detroit
(This post was last modified: 08-07-2015, 02:14 PM by tdmsu.)
I agree on slickness being the most important, though it would be hard for me to use a bad smelling soap even if it was very slick.

I've learned that certain ingredients lead to a very slick soap for me - lanolin, shea, kokum, and tallow are my favorites.

So my checklist would be:
slickness
smell
cushion
lathering
post shave

All are important, and a few soaps have all of these: B&M, CRSW, Tabac, MWF, maybe more.
#3

Soap Slinger
Burnsville, MN
For me it's:

Cushion & Slickness. It's gotta be a team effort.
After-shave feel
Scent
Latherability

Performance has to be king, otherwise the rest of it kind of doesn't matter because your face is sore and/or bleeding. Post shave trumps scent for me, because I'd pick rate a less awesome scent w/ good post shave above a perfect scent that just left me feeling shaved. Latherability is my lowest because I don't care that much as long as it is latherable. I'll put in an extra 30 seconds or a minute for a great shave from a soap that needs more work.

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#4

Super Moderator
San Diego, Cal., USA
Honestly, with so very many excellent products out there now by so many (especially artisans), I have become somewhat spoiled in expecting things like slickness, cushion, glide, and how easily a product lathers, that scent has become paramount.  Obviously, if a soap or cream is rubbish in those other departments then scent is all but meaningless because I won't use the product.  However, thanks to the likes of Barrister & Man, Dapper Dragon, Mickey Lee Soapworks, Mike's Naturals, all of which I have tried, and so many more based on the reviews I've read, things like slickness, lather ability, etc. have all but become a non-issue so scent it is for me as to what I look for most.

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#5

Member
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Personally soap latherability is as important to slickness/cushion. A soap that would not up the slickness/cushion become a moot point. Post shave feel is important to me. Scent is not much of an issue for me. Since my heart bypass the ability to smell has diminished. The one soap I can smell is Stirling.
#6
Slickness/cushion and post shave-feel is most importent for me. And as my fovorite soap makers (MW, Reef Point, Stirling, B&M) are great performers with amazing post shave-feeling with all their soaps I can always find a scent that I like.
#7

Administrator
Philadelphia, PA
slickness, imho. if it were scent, I don't think anyone would ever shave with arko....lol

WhenceShaveYou likes this post
Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito.
#8
Slickness and cushion for me. I guess it has to be easy to lather, too, 'cause I apparently suck at lathering.
---Shannon & Brian Trepka

For expertly crafted shaving soaps and more, visit Shannon's Soaps online.
#9
(08-09-2015, 01:41 AM)Bruce Wrote: Slickness, cushion, post shave feel, latherability, scent, cost.

But they have to have it all for me to use it.

I'm pretty much in the same boat.

There are 3 Artisans I've tried so far that have it all. I'm sure there are plenty more who do, I just haven't tried them yet.
#10

Member
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Slickness is most important to me. My perfect soap would be so slick that my ugliness would slide off. ( still looking). That said there are dozens of soaps that offer superb slickness, cushion, lather ability, scent, and post shave so there is little need to discount one over another.


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