Thread: Lather for a straight: different?

Hi guys,

I have got the feeling that the lather for shaving with a straight needs to be different than for shaving with a DE. Is this true? I think that the lather for using a straight needs to be, less soap/cream and more "watery". What i mean is a lather that is foamy, more bubbly as you would.

What experience do you guys have?

It is actually personal taste. I like a thick, creamy, warm, fragrant and luxuriant lather from either soap or cream. I use a pre-shave oil also but I make sure my beard is hydrated very well before shaving.

As far as I know, you could go buy the same stuff you'd use with a Mach3. It won't be as comfortable as other products. As Ken noted, it's mostly personal preference. I as well enjoy a very creamy lather (which I get from Colleen's Cavendish Black SS).

In short, no it does not need to be different. Whatever gives you the comfort your face deserves.

Like the others have said, it's really preference. However, I would say that a wet lather can help improve the glide in some cases; that's not a bad thing for a straight IMO.

Originally Posted by xChris

Like the others have said, it's really preference. However, I would say that a wet lather can help improve the glide in some cases; that's not a bad thing for a straight IMO.

Yes, that was what i ment, Chris. But i couldn't find the correct words.

Personal taste plus lathering abilities. Personally, I whip my Proraso so light I could turn the bowl upside down for 5 minutes and it wouldn't move at all. The razor glides better (to me) than if it was a little watery. I've found that if it's watery, it tends to dry out before I get to the other side of my face, as well as drip and run.

Like most things with shaving though, it comes down to personal preference and what feels good to you!

Well I am going to sort of agree with the original post, at least in theory...
I still make a rich creamy Uberlather, we're talking nice stiff peaks and whupped cream thick, BUT.....
Recently I have found that if I actually take a handful of hot water and splash it on so that my face is dripping wet then lather up using only a circular motion, I am getting a more comfortable shave

For me personally, after several years of DE shaving, I'd have to say I find straights far more forgiving when it comes to lather. I think it's just that those flimsy DE blades really needed extra cushioning on my face. I had a hard time with soaps for that very reason. Once I switched to straights, I quickly began to almost prefer soaps... I just didn't need that super thick/rich lather I get from creams. I can and still do use creams, only not so much and mostly when I want a particular scent that I don't have in a soap.

Regards

Christian