Soap/Cream as a factor is achieving a close shave

One of the de facto attributes people quantify in rating soaps/creams is cushion. It might be difficult to define but probably aligned with the ability of the soap/cream to cushion the face from bad effects from coming in contact with a sharp object and yet at the same time allowing the closest shave possible.

I abhor the contrived acronyms of BBS, social acceptable (not DFS obviously ) but there is a scale from unshaven to as shave as close as possible.

Do you feel a particular cream or soap, given the same other  factors (e.g., the same razor, same blade, same number of shaves on the blade, same brush, same lather techniques, etc.) give closer shaves?

Today I used GFT Rose shaving cream. I hadn't used GFT in a while using a variety of the "Artisans" lately. Yet it reminded me that GFT knows scents and that "some" (not all but some) of the GFT creams consistently provide close and smooth shaves. IMO, Klar is the king in this regard.

So do you find your choice of soap/cream does or does not result in closer shaves? Which ones?

As of today here is the list of my 10 best performing soaps: closest shave ever!

Sir Irisch Moos
OSP
P&B
Mike's
Mystic water
Tabac
Nuavia
P160 vintage
Yardley vintage
C&S

For me the soap or cream is much less important in achieving a close shave than the razor and blade. However, the lather cushion, glide, and durability are very important for providing comfort and efficiency with the shave.

For me the soap or cream is much less important in achieving a close shave than the razor and blade.

Using the same razor/blade is a given along with same technique. I was wondering if people found that different soaps/creams yielded closer results with the same razor and blade.

I have yet to notice any substantial difference in the soaps I have tried with regards to one being superior in providing a 'closer shave' than others.

I have yet to notice and substantial difference in the soaps I have tried with regards to one being superior in providing a 'closer shave' than others.

No fair Celestino!  You always state you're a one soap guy - MW, of course.  If they are all about the same, how did you make your final choice?


For me, Tabac, Valobra hard soap, Mikes and Strop Shoppe give me the closest shave.

Do you feel a particular cream or soap, given the same other  factors (e.g., the same razor, same blade, same number of shaves on the blade, same brush, same lather techniques, etc.) give closer shaves?

I had been using the usual suspects (Cella, TOBS, Proraso) and I did not think that the soap was a factor in giving perfect shaves.   But then I used Sudsy Soapery, Nuavia and Pure20.   Now I believe that the soap is more important than the blade or the technique.   The only other important factor, in my limited experience, that influences the closeness of the shave is the razor.    These soaps have also helped me get irritation free shaves.  

I'm now looking for soaps that perform as well as the ones I mentioned above.    Perhaps B&M, Xpec, Esbjerg and BAUME.BE will be excellent performers.

I had been using the usual suspects (Cella, TOBS, Proraso) ... then I used Sudsy Soapery, Nuavia and Pure20.   Now I believe that the soap is more important than the blade or the technique.   ...I'm now looking for soaps that perform as well as the ones I mentioned above.    Perhaps B&M, Xpec, Esbjerg and BAUME.BE will be excellent performers.

You made a huge jump going from proraso/Cella to Nuavia and might never find that jump again. Thats a night and day difference.

I have found ABC, SMN, ADP, GFT Rose, and Klar (along with Nuavia) give closer shaves, time and time again all other things being equal, and I've tried well over 260 soaps. Those soaps might not be the slickest, best scent, best after shave feel, etc, but there is something about the cushion that allow me to get closer to that mythical perfect BBS. Now I have not tried baum.be nor see any reason to but the rest I have. It would have to be magical stuff and I just don't see that happening.

I had been using the usual suspects (Cella, TOBS, Proraso)  ... then I used Sudsy Soapery, Nuavia and Pure20.   Now I believe that the soap is more important than the blade or the technique.   ...I'm now looking for soaps that perform as well as the ones I mentioned above.    Perhaps B&M, Xpec, Esbjerg and BAUME.BE will be excellent performers.

You made a huge jump going from proraso/Cella to Nuavia and might never find that jump again. Thats a night and day difference.

I have found ABC, SMN, ADP, GFT Rose, and Klar  (along with Nuavia) give closer shaves, time and time again all other things being equal, and I've tried well over 260 soaps. Those soaps might not be the slickest, best scent, best after shave feel, etc,  but there is something about the cushion that allow me to get closer to that mythical perfect BBS. Now I have not tried baum.be nor see any reason to but the rest I have. It would have to be magical stuff and I just don't see that happening.

I might give these guys a try then.   Do any of the ones you mentioned give you excellent post-shave results?   That's the one thing that Sudsy Soapery, Nuavia and Pure20 have in common -- they leave my face irritation-free and perfectly moisturized.   I don't need to apply aftershaves or balms after the shave.  

What is Klar?   I never heard of that one.

I might give these guys a try then.   Do any of the ones you mentioned give you excellent post-shave results?   That's the one thing that Sudsy Soapery, Nuavia and Pure20 have in common -- they leave my face irritation-free and perfectly moisturized.   I don't need to apply aftershaves or balms after the shave.  

What is Klar?   I never heard of that one.

Nuavia might be the gold standard for after shave feel. Mystic maybe second (IMO). SMN, ADP, and GFT Rose are no slouches. I think the fact GFT Rose is meant for sensitive skin might be part of that reason and in terms of costs, its by far the cheapest. I'd say ABC is probably the worst of that group but it is the slickest. So each have their own best attributes. SMN is the class of the group. It stands above all.  IMO.

This Klar Seifen. Read the article. It mentions cushion. It comes in a classic tobacco/leather type scent, sport, and sandalwood.  Lemongrass and Almond are not available in the US. Amazon sells it. Its quintuple milled (not triple milled) and lasts a long time. IMO Classic is more of a winter scent, and Sport a summer scent.