Thread: Proper lather consistency for straights

I've been shaving with straights about 2 weeks now. My 2 Dovo 5/8 straights I purchased seem to be dragging a bit. I know its not the razors since they are both brand new and were honed by Lynn. I think the consistency of my lathers might be too thick. Give me some help guys. In your opinions do you think I should thin out my lather. Would a thinner lather actually give me a slicker surface? Any help and comments are appreciated. Also, I am properly stropping the razors before shaves.
Thanks.

Well, its not like lather is concrete so every fraction of an inch would create huge resistance. If your lather is really thick it could gum the razor up as it shaves and create a little friction but I don't think it would affect the actual shave that much. Maybe the comfort factor a tad. To me the ideal lather should be light and airy like wipped cream. It doesn't have to be very thick. As long as your skin is well covered and it provides lubrication thats all you really need anyway.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well, its not like lather is concrete so every fraction of an inch would create huge resistance. If your lather is really thick it could gum the razor up as it shaves and create a little friction but I don't think it would affect the actual shave that much. Maybe the comfort factor a tad. To me the ideal lather should be light and airy like wipped cream. It doesn't have to be very thick. As long as your skin is well covered and it provides lubrication thats all you really need anyway.

Thanks for the info. Maybe I need to adjust the blade angle slightly.

It may be helpful if you tell us how you are making up your shaving lather?

I find that if you make your lather too strong, it dries out on your face and the razor will stick not glide.

I let my brush stand in hot water for a few moments, then stand it up and let the surplus water run out with out shaking it. I use shaving cream, about the size of an almond, and leave about a teaspoon of water in the mixing bowl too.

I then give it a good mixing to really hydrate the lather, takes at least a minute or so, until you get a soft creamy lather with no holes in the end of the brush.

One other reason for drag is not stretching your skin as you shave, watch Lynns video