Van der Hagen Deluxe shaving soap is actually a good shave soap. I can get great lather with it, if I do my part.
I've also found that adding a nickel sized portion of Noxzema facial cleansing cream(I use the walmart brand) to your soap, while lathering it, makes it creamier and slicker.
Arko shave sticks are about $1.50 each on Amazon and are good. You wet your face, dip the tip of the stick in the water, and rub all over your face until you have a nice coating of soap all over. Then you face lather with the brush. This will give enough lather for about 3 passes.
You can even shave using just Noxzema. Apply it like you would the soap with the brush. It works great.
Washing/wetting your fact pre-shave is very important as if helps to soften the beard. Letting the lather sit on your face a minute to a few minutes(I've gone as long as 15 minutes) before you shave also helps out.
The key to getting a good shave with a DE is proper technique. Use the angle that works best for you, don't apply pressure to the razor, let the blade do the work, and don't rush. Use multiple, short, gentle strokes. No face long strokes like with a cartridge razor.
The reason for the popularity of cartridge razors is that they don't require you to know how to shave. They allow you to use poor technique.:thumbdn: Proper shaving is a skill that anyone can learn, but it is a skill nonetheless.
Do a couple of passes with the grain followed by a pass across the grain. Then, if you want/need, do a pass against the grain. Don't stretch the skin too much, especially when going against the grain. You don't want ingrown hairs.
Wet and lather between passes.
Use a pre-shave oil before you lather, if you like. Sometimes I do, other times I don't.
Pay attention to the direction of hair growth. This will determine the direction you need to shave for your WTG/XTG/ATG passes.
Relax and enjoy your shave. Don't rush. It's relaxing ME time, if you let it be.
Gollnick has described it as a Zen-like experience, and I agree.:thumbup:
Wash off your face well after shaving. Use witch hazel afterward. Let it dry and apply your aftershave cream, gel, balm, or splash.
I like Aqua Velva Ice Blue, Master Bay Rum, and Gillette Series Sensitive Skin Gel. The cooling sensation of menthol in some aftershaves can be very refreshing in the summer.
Aftershaves containing glycerin tend to be more moisturizing.
You can also use your Van der Hagen soap like a shave stick, rubbing it all over your face and face lathering, if that works better for you.
If you nick yourself, you can use an alum block like a styptic pencil. Wet your face with cold water and rub it all over your face. Let it dry, then rinse it off. It works well for nicks and weepers, yet it stings less than styptic pencils.:thumbup:
Using a stypic pencil on your scalp after nicking it while head shaving, will make you want to slam your hand in the door.
