I’ve used Tabac and I liked it. However, I just started with Proraso Eucalyptus & Menthol and I think I like it a little better.
You can just use plain old hand soap (Dial, Dove, Ivory, or whatever brand you like).
Just lather up your hands, smear on face, and shave.
Hopefully you’re aware that there are entire forums devoted to this- google “wet shaving forum” and you’ll find geek-hobbyist level discussions as to the merits of the various soaps, creams, blades, etc… Kind of frightening, but a great resource if you like that sort of thing.
Anyhow, I’ve been using a brush for a long time now, and here are some thoughts on soaps/creams that I’ve used at one time or another over the past 7 years.
Proraso green is the standard by which I judge soaps and creams. It’s slick, it lathers up easily, it doesn’t stink or smell weird, and it’s pretty easy to find.
Proraso red is pretty much the same thing as the green, only in sandalwood scent. I really like it.
Santa Maria Novella - seems to be a nicer version of Proraso green- both made in Florence, but with a huge price difference. Only reason I have it is because I visited the SMN home store while in Florence and figured “What the hell.”
Musgo Real Original: Great cream- smells a bit like the grandfather of Brut by Faberge- not so brash, not so strong, but still in the same family.
Tabac : stinks like old people; old women to be precise. Superlative soap though; it’s a shame it reeks so terribly.
Col. Conk Lime: Average performer, decent smell. About what I’d expect for $4.
Speick cream: Another cream on par with Proraso/SMN/Musgo Real. Smells a lot like lavender to me.
De Vergulde Hand - Dutch equivalent of Williams. Smells nice; adequate performance.
Pre de Provence - smells nice, works well, expensive.
Mitchell’s Wool Fat: Works well, when the planets align and you can get it to lather well. It’s notoriously touchy and IMO not worth the trouble considering there are dozens of other soaps and creams out there.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Shaving Shop: Great stuff- great scent and performance.
Seriously though, for the biggest improvement independent of soap/cream, I’d recommend a better brush if all you have is one of those Van Der Hagen or Burma Shave jobs; an Omega boar brush will be inexpensive and much, much better than the drugstore brushes.
I quit using lather about 20 years ago and wondering now if I am missing out. The razors have improved so much over the years I just haven’t felt the need, I shave in the shower and I do have a heavy thick beard. Do you get more life out of your razors?
I did that, but upon returning to a brush after several years, I bought von der Hagen from Walgreens.
I have a Vulfix brush that I love. I have to say that using a brush and good soap has transformed shaving from a chore I hated to something that I enjoy as part of my morning routine.
I like GF Trumer sandalwood. I don’t like boar bristle brushes-English badger is better. And, I always shave in the shower-softens the beard. Is colgate shave cream off the market? I used to like it.