Haven`t been hanging around this forum in a while and seen this was active again. Been active on Badger and Blade forums.
I got such bad razor burn with Cremo Cream Original and I couldn`t use it. I have to admit they have great customer service and I complained to them about my problem and they thought that the tube may have gone bad in transit may have froze since I bought it when I started this adventure. They wanted to send me a new tube to try but I requested they send me a tube of cooling instead and they obliged, they also sent me a bottle of there moisturizing cream. I tried the cooling and that burned my face also. I sent them an update and they wanted to refund my money but I told them it wasn`t necessary since they went above and beyond already.
I am still working through some different blade samples but really like the Gillette 7 o`clock Permasharp and Wilkinson Sword Classic(Germany) so far are at the top of my list. The Merkur and Feathers are a decent blade and are up towards the top. Gillette Wilkinson Sword(India) are a good blade. Don`t like Topaz, Shark, any Personna, Derby to name a few.
Soaps, my go to soap is Van Der Hagen Luxury. Have tried and sold a few and Cella, Wickham Soap Co. Russian Leather and Saponificio Verasino Felce Aromatica are right up there. I even bought highly regarded Martin de Candre Fougere which is a decent soap but it is overpriced in my book but a soap that I figured I had to buy and try it. I am on the verge of selling I think.
I can say most shaves have been a pleasure since I started this year and some not so pleasurable due to trying blades or soaps that don`t work with my face and beard.