Thread: Taking the wussy way out on lather...

Alright, the shavings going fine. Couple little nicks when Itry something new, but all in all, with good beard prep, it's all good.

However, I have wimped out on the lather. I whipped up my own, tried a few
cremes, soaps, and while they all seemed to work about the same, which was fine, the effort involved was too much.

So I switched to just a squirt of gilette gel in my brush, and look ma, no whipping. No stirring, no measuring, no too mcuh water, too little water, didn't last long enough, it just works.

It's slick, and I have no complaints. For a noob, I wou ld encourage any noob to try it, and then make their own lather later (if they feel the burning need), vs trying to bite off all the steps at once...

I did the same thing a while back... Stopped using my shaving soap and picked up my shaving gel. But for me it didn't work fine at all. It was a lot worse than with the soap and brush. So from that point, I don't even look at the gel anymore

A big part of the appeal for me was the classic wet shave. Yeah, it takes some practice, but once you get it, it is such a better experience. I had similar problems as you though. In th end I had to get better soap. What soaps have you used so far?

This tutorial on Badger & Blade (B&B) may help you. He is using glycerin based shaving soap. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=439
The glycerin really helps to lubricate the face, and there are some really great soap makers here who make some really great and healthy stuff. I encourage you to hang in there. If not while shaving, at least practice your lather technique in you spare time.
I did this and now I am pretty much in lather heaven.

Matt

Or you could always try making the lather on your face instead of the cup. I tried this with very good results. No water in the cup or anything, just get some of your soap on the brush, key the tips a little wet and work onto the face. This work pretty well with TABAC, gets a nice thick lather going on the face.

I never did look back, I just kept working at it. Take you time, Part of this is the enjoyment of the expierence, the feel, the smells, relax and enjoy.

Hey mrcpu,

I can feel your dilema. I too don't yet have the perfect lather. But I am viligently working toward it everyday, even though I can only shave everyother. Yes, I'm THAT dork sitting at his bathroom counter whipping up lather for no reason...wait, just spotted my GF's dog...come here puppy ...
Anyhow, back on track, I agree with the others, keep at it. The shaves only get better with time and practice and you'll get a new skill that not many others can boast about. Now if you gentleman will give me pardon, I've got to go shave a dog (to all dog lovers: I'm kidding, I'm also a dog lover)

If the gel works for you thats great I'm happy for you. The fact is those gels are a bunch of chemicals concocted to help the cartridge razor glide over your face . Gels are the worst thing for a straight and a DE too. I wouldn't be recommending it to anyone. If it works for you I'd keep it a secret.

I realize its tempting to take the easy road but the easy way isn't always a best way. The time spent learning the lather routine will pay for itelf for many years to come. Its not hard to learn. Probably the easiest skill in straight or wet shaving.

Originally Posted by custommartini

Hey mrcpu,

Yes, I'm THAT dork sitting at his bathroom counter whipping up lather for no reason...wait, just

Hey man, there is no shame in that. I did it too. I remember my room mate walking in on me while I was doing it once.

"Uhhh... What are you doing?"

"Im... uhhh... lathering some soap."

"But you already shaved today. I know because I had to wait an hour for the bathroom this morning."

"Yeah I know... I'm... I'm practicing my technique."

"Your technique?"

"Yeah... my lather technique."

"..."

"Get out of the damn bathroom."

I gather that these gels contain anaesthetics as well as other chemicals. HMMMM. I'd argue that preparation (making sure your beard is soft) is more important that obtaining a perfect lather consistency. I use a Palmolive cream from a tube and mix it in the palm of my hand with a badger hair brush (NO mug). The thing that causes problems is lack of preparation for me (of course it's when I'm in a hurry).
Stick at it

Originally Posted by Kentriv

"Yeah... my lather technique."

"..."

"Get out of the damn bathroom."

Your roomie must think you're nuts... I'm sure my brothers are wondering what I am up to, too. I don't even have a str8 yet; I am just practicing shaving with real creams and soaps using the dreaded Mach III. Speaking of which, I seem to have a case of razor burn at this very moment...
Those durn blades are only good for a three pass shave on their first shave, after that, it's either skin that feels like sandpaper or burn baby burn.
I wonder how long till the str8 gets here...