I have to admit, I found this thread a bit strange really. As a wet shaver for almost 30 years, I've tried just about every soap, cream and foam made (in the UK, US and Europe) at some point. When I first ordered a bowl of shaving soap from SA, it arrived quickly and I was entranced by the poured look and the fine smell. I have a very course beard that really could do with 2 shaves a day although I usually only shave once because of time. I ordered this soap because over the years I've developed all kinds of skin allergies to proprietary shaving soaps and also, my rigidly held belief that no animal need suffer just for me to have a shave, which SA confirmed her soap was animal friendly. I prefer a more watery lather to soften the stubble pre shave. I then beat up a thicker lather and apply before each pass of the razor (straight or safety), I mentally divide my face into 5 sections, both cheeks and neck (in line), The chin and neck, the upper lip/ moustache area and the lower lip and sides of mouth. I lather these sections prior to a pass of the razor no matter which soap I use (a habit of many years.) I do that until I have shaved all the stubble in the direction of growth. I then repeat it shaving against the direction of growth. This sounds like a bit of a palaver but it takes only a few minutes and gives me the closest shave. SA's soap foamed well for me and leaves my skin feeling wonderful. I still moisturise of course afterwards because all soaps can dry the skin. I have now had 3 bowls of soap in 'Mango', 'Cedarwood' and 'Red Spice' which I also have in a tiny 'hiker's pot' with lid. I also buy her soaps for washing in and haven't bought any other soaps since I started getting it from Soapalchemist because I've finally found someone who makes soap I really like that smells great and makes me feel good...If you're a real shaving buff, you'll know what I mean about that!