Shaving Cream

[Jamie-o]

Scotty and ->-bleeped-<-boy were discussing shaving cream in one of the other posts, which got me to thinking.  What is the practical difference between using a brush and bar of shaving soap, and using the stuff out of a can?  I asked my dad once why he used the solid-style shaving soap, and he said it worked better for him, but he wouldn't elaborate. 

So, you guys with actual beards, which do you prefer and why?

[Case]

I personally perfer using the gel type of shaving cream that comes in the cans..

its easy to use/clean up and you can get a very close shave with it

[trannyboy]

There is no question, if you have used a good creame or soap and brush you will have a better shave. The goop in a can just never can make the blade slide well over the skin, can irritate your acne, the hard soaps last longer, the creame is quicker to lather up, the brush helps prepare the skin and lift the beard. By far it is cheaper and a lot less harm on the environment then producing goop in a can. I only ever found one type in the can that didn't cause more problems then it was worth and that doesn't come close to the shave I get with a cheap bar of shaving soap. You can get a decent brush and soap for 10 bucks. Brushes last between 5-50 years and a bar of soap can last several months shaving daily. I have heard people say that the brush increases blood circulation and softens the hair.

For me the biggest difference is a single versus twin blade approach.

->-bleeped-<-boy

[Dennis]

I just use the stuff out of a can. Works fine for me. You do have to buy a decent brand though. I bought cheap stuff once and it burned.

Dennis

[Scotty72]

The type of razor you're using has an impact of how good the shaving cream will work for you.  If its an electric I've found out the hard way that the jelly type creams can clog up the blades and basically ruin the razor pretty quickly. 
One of those Mach 5 razors really don't need a ton of lather of any sort, (claims my dad) but also they get clogged with the gel's pretty easily too, so usually when I use that its just the cheap crap from a can, and I never use a lot of it. 
I love my straight razor though, and probably out of getting a little excited every time I use it, I always put a ton of cream on my face.  Its pretty much pointless to lather up a ton if you've only got a few wiskers but... *shrugs*, I enjoy my private time  . 

Usually when I'm using or buying the stuff in the can I make sure it has some type of oil in it, like Vitamin E or some Aloe Vera mixed in, it just feels nicer and smoother to me.
If you're a big hairy mountain man then I'd pay the extra cash and get a brush with some fairly decent soap, because razor burn just isn't worth not paying.

I've never noticed a really HUGE difference in creams or soaps.  Some dry my face out really badly, others burn for some godforsaken reason, and some just screw up the razor you're using.  But I will vouch for creams that come in tubs that you lather yourself and use a brush with.  I'm not sure if its the different soap or what, but I think it works the best.
There's always just a little personal preference thrown in there too, so you just pretty much find something you like and hope it works good.

Note:  I have no ACTUAL beard, but I do have to shave my upper lip every day less I look like someone dumped finely ground pepper all over my lip.  Also, very bushy side burns.

[Mister]

I use the stuff from a can.  works just fine for me.  As ->-bleeped-<-boy said, the biggest difference I've found has been in types of razor.

[JonasCarminis]

hmm.... my acne does get bad when i shave using canned crap.  i might try the soap.

[Jamie-o]

For me the biggest difference is a single versus twin blade approach.

So which is better?

Usually when I'm using or buying the stuff in the can I make sure it has some type of oil in it

You don't find that the oil aggravates the acne?  (I'm assuming you're on T, and therefore have to take that into consideration.)

[Jay]

I use canned shaving foam or Gel usually a make of some sort.. but it does bring on spots..

[trannyboy]

Single edge is better, whether it is a cheap dollar store bic or an expensive merkur or straight razor. Most multiblade razor work by catching the hair and pulling slightly before the next blade cuts it next to the skin. It is called yank and slash. The problem with this is it pulls the hair out of the follicle slightly and allows it to be cut below the skin but that leaves a sharp edge under your skin that can cause razor burn, ingrown hair and acne. Single edges work by progressive reduction but can't yank and slash. So you need a couple of passes but you get the best shave of your life. Some of the new expensive multiblades don't cause a lot of irritation but for some guys like me it is enough and they are really expensive.

Just also remember to prep your beard well prior to shaving. Oil can cause problems for the skin but most moisturizers work by tricking the skin into thinking it doesn't need as much oil because the skin is already moisturized with in part oil. I use any old oil to shave with when I forget my soap and it works fine and doesn't increase my acne. Many guys use oil as a prep for their beards in the shower like you condition your hair. A good brush also lifts the hair up so it can be cut.

If you want to know the difference, find an old fashion barber and get him to shave you. In good hands it is the really fun. Then pick up your old twin blade and goop in a can, see if you can't tell the difference.

->-bleeped-<-boy

[Scotty72]

Usually when I'm using or buying the stuff in the can I make sure it has some type of oil in it

You don't find that the oil aggravates the acne?  (I'm assuming you're on T, and therefore have to take that into consideration.)

Nope, no T, I just come from a long line of hairy people, which is fine, I don't mind so much. 

I've never had an acne issue on my face actually, (my back is a completely different story).  A few zits pop up here and there, but I haven't seen the oil's in my creams clogging my pores or anything.  I'm assuming most of the oil gets washed off because before I shave I wash my face in warm water and make sure its all clean, then shave, then wash again in warm water before splashing some cold water on my face.

Again, its different for everyone.  Some oils cause people to break out, others dont.  So, I might be fine with the oily kind, while it might cause someone else to turn into a pizza face.  The main reason why I use the oil creams is because they don't dry out my face as bad as most creams do.

I'm echoing ->-bleeped-<-boy in the single edge, they've been my favorite so far.

[icontact]

From back when I used to shave my legs, I usually used the stuff out of a can. Sometimes I used regular bathing body soap, simply cause it was cheaper, but that stuff doesn't lather very well, so the lack of white foam makes it hard to tell whether you've shaved a spot or not. I used some sort of Aveeno shaving cream, supposedly for dry skin or something, it was the stuff my dad used, that was really good. It smelled kinda funky but it made shavingreal easy. Just don't use too much or it gets messy.