is there a wrong way to lather

all right guys, I watched some videos and tried some different methods for lathering up. I think i get a pretty good lather whether on the palm, in a seperate bowl or even on my face, but my face doesn't really care for me lathering on it so much.

anyways, i have a sample size puck in a small ceramic ramekin, I have a larger ceramic bowl, and a coffee mug. what I do (mind you I think this was only my 5th shave, first with my new thistle cut I bought here, spike point...hmmmm....must be careful. got two small nicks on my beautiful face) is this:

(turned up hot water heat a bit too by the way)
fill coffee mug with hot water and soak brush
fill large bowl with hot water
set ramekin with soap in large bowl (drawback I see is the puck comes loose)
shake out brush and take ramekin out of bowl, lather right on top of the soap (makes a lot of lather fast) finish lathering on my face

in between lathering (I go with what I saw in one video for slow shavers where you do your face in sections to keep it hot and the lather fresh) I put the ramekin back in the bowl. this gives me warm lather when I reapply

I empty the bowl and coffee mug of water at the end and let the soap sit out and dry. are there any drawbacks to this method other than slightly faster soap consumption?

thanks gentlemen

Red

Sounds good....

I mean really, it ain't rocket science, there are several different ways to lather, that might produce better more comfortable results, but in all honesty the only real variable is the amount of water...

Bad lather = either to wet, or to dry..

Just so long as your using a good soap or cream you should get "LATHER"

Your procedure seems overblown to me.

Here is what I do:

When I buy the puck of shaving soap, it goes in the bottom of a coffee mug that fits. The following is only for hard puck shaving soaps like Williams, Col. Conk., etc.

When I shave:

1. I fill mug/puck combination with warm, not hot water.
2. I put the brush into the mug with the water.
3. Dump water out. Shake out the brush a little.
4. put brush in mug and swirl it around on top of the puck until lather forms.
5. Sploosh lather on face and brush it around to make a nice big white face.
6. Start shaving.
7. If lather gets thick, tip the brush under the hot water and return it to the mug, swirl and apply some more.

8. When done, rinse out brush, mug, leave soap puck in. Invert mug.
9. Stand brush on end or hang.
10. Clean and dry the razor. Put it away.
11. Set mug upright again.

Tomorrow it will be ready to go again.

Notes:

You want to invert the mug for a minute or so to drain out excess water, then you want to set it back upright so that it will get good air flow to dry out the soap. I do this and the soap lasts for weeks.

Hot water is unnecessary as it serves no purpose, and the water evaporates too quickly leaving the lather dry. Warm water feels nice and is comfortable, and the lather lasts longer. I have had some nice shaves with COLD water. It is bracing though.

Remember to re-lather areas you have just shaved if you plan to go back and do another pass.
If the razor seems to be making more noise as you shave, or if you experience irritation or the razor doesn't glide, try adding some more water by tipping the brush under the hot water faucet.

By the way, between step 3 and step 4, I also add a squirt of 100% Aloe Vera lotion to the mug. Makes real nice thick lather.

Absolutely, there's a wrong way to lather, and not only one. One of the most common ways to lather wrongly is to use the hard end of the brush - if you are doing that, stop immediately and start using the opposite end of it. You're welcome.
:p

I disagree Gugi. I often use the hard end of the brush when lathering - I find it a convenient place to hold the brush as I lather. :p

James.

I like the idea Jimbo, but when I tried it, the brush kept slipping out of my hand. What to do?:thinking:

Hell, who needs a brush just smush it around with your hand and you are ready to go.Just make sure you can't see through the lather or you have to much water. Strop razor and let her rip!:roflmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I like the idea Jimbo, but when I tried it, the brush kept slipping out of my hand. What to do?:thinking:

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Dear "Slippery Brush",

Clearly, your brush is having an affair. Try talking to your brush. Everyone needs to be held, even brushes. If it keeps slipping out whenever you try to hold it, that's a sign of something in your relationship that isn't quite right. Are you being too clingy with your brush? Do you need your brush more than it needs you? Do you hold on too tightly? Brushes need a little space sometimes.

Remember, shavers are from Mars, brushes are from Vulfix.

Aunty Jimbo.

Except for #8 - invert mug, I do the same procedure. Works great.

Oh, step 0 I guess, splash face a few times with hot water and rub into whiskers.

Tried the aloe vera a couple of times. Didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference to the shave but I did notice that it seemed to cause the razor to stain a little more so I didn't use it again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by toolarts

Your procedure seems overblown to me.

Here is what I do:

When I buy the puck of shaving soap, it goes in the bottom of a coffee mug that fits. The following is only for hard puck shaving soaps like Williams, Col. Conk., etc.

When I shave:

1. I fill mug/puck combination with warm, not hot water.
2. I put the brush into the mug with the water.
3. Dump water out. Shake out the brush a little.
4. put brush in mug and swirl it around on top of the puck until lather forms.
5. Sploosh lather on face and brush it around to make a nice big white face.
6. Start shaving.
7. If lather gets thick, tip the brush under the hot water and return it to the mug, swirl and apply some more.

8. When done, rinse out brush, mug, leave soap puck in. Invert mug.
9. Stand brush on end or hang.
10. Clean and dry the razor. Put it away.
11. Set mug upright again.

Tomorrow it will be ready to go again.

Notes:

You want to invert the mug for a minute or so to drain out excess water, then you want to set it back upright so that it will get good air flow to dry out the soap. I do this and the soap lasts for weeks.

Hot water is unnecessary as it serves no purpose, and the water evaporates too quickly leaving the lather dry. Warm water feels nice and is comfortable, and the lather lasts longer. I have had some nice shaves with COLD water. It is bracing though.

Remember to re-lather areas you have just shaved if you plan to go back and do another pass.
If the razor seems to be making more noise as you shave, or if you experience irritation or the razor doesn't glide, try adding some more water by tipping the brush under the hot water faucet.

By the way, between step 3 and step 4, I also add a squirt of 100% Aloe Vera lotion to the mug. Makes real nice thick lather.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Dear "Slippery Brush",

Clearly, your brush is having an affair. Try talking to your brush. Everyone needs to be held, even brushes. If it keeps slipping out whenever you try to hold it, that's a sign of something in your relationship that isn't quite right. Are you being too clingy with your brush? Do you need your brush more than it needs you? Do you hold on too tightly? Brushes need a little space sometimes.

Remember, shavers are from Mars, brushes are from Vulfix.

Aunty Jimbo.

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That's right........go ahead and take sides with the brush. Sounds to me like Red's brush might be in need of a 'correction' if it don't shape up pretty quick. Of course Jimbo, I realize that a compliant and willing brush is needed to whip up the lather juuuust right, but you gotta show em who's boss.
After all, Red's goal (and certainly mine as well) is a noble one. That would be to achieve an ecstatic plane of consciousness, through blissful faceturbation. YMMV...........
Martin

I find that your method tends to use too much soap and not have a good lather (for me anyway). What I do with soaps is get the top of the puck wet with warm water- not a lot, but enough that it's standing. I take the dry brush and smoosh it in, twisting it around until I load up the brush well with soap. From there, I add some warm/hot water into my bowl and whip the hell out of it. Depending on the consistency after whipping, I'll either add more water or soap. Whip whip whip and you have a lather that is plenty wet but that will not slide around or drip.

It sounds like it's too much gear, but I have to be particular about my lather due to sensitive skin. Building lather on my face is ok, but it's not consistent enough for my skin. What I found worked really well is to experiment with different methods and consistencies. I went through a puck of VDH soap and about a third of a tube of proraso figuring out how to get it done the way I like it. It takes practice, but your face will thank you later.

The problem with lather is that the method depends completely on the softness of your water. Since I began wetshaving, I changed the settings on my softener to give me supremely soft water. I use significantly less soap since I made the change. Keep chugging away, you'll find your sweet spot. When you do all the pieces will fall into place.

From a cheap bastard's point of view, I object to steps 3 and 8. Dumping water out of the soap bowl before or after shaving means you are dumping soap down the drain. That's why you get "weeks" from a cake of soap. I get years from mine by making sure that all of the soap ends up on my face before it goes down the drain.

I only put in enough water to make the lather in a separate lathering bowl. When I'm done shaving, any residual lather is left in the bowl to be used in the next shave.

You let the old lather dry in the lather bowl? :eek: EEEEEWWWWWWWWW

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Originally Posted by Utopian

From a cheap bastard's point of view, I object to steps 3 and 8. Dumping water out of the soap bowl before or after shaving means you are dumping soap down the drain. That's why you get "weeks" from a cake of soap. I get years from mine by making sure that all of the soap ends up on my face before it goes down the drain.

I only put in enough water to make the lather in a separate lathering bowl. When I'm done shaving, any residual lather is left in the bowl to be used in the next shave.

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I kind of like your idea here. I think I will try it.

If you dont have a rotation it wont be in the bowl long enough to go bad, if you use a different soap everytime then you may have problems if you dont tidy up. Signed another cheap bastard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

From a cheap bastard's point of view, I object to steps 3 and 8. Dumping water out of the soap bowl before or after shaving means you are dumping soap down the drain. That's why you get "weeks" from a cake of soap. I get years from mine by making sure that all of the soap ends up on my face before it goes down the drain.

I only put in enough water to make the lather in a separate lathering bowl. When I'm done shaving, any residual lather is left in the bowl to be used in the next shave.

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As another cheap bastard, that's exactly what I was thinking, although I wasn't sure I completely understood.

I'm sure it works well, though.
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Personally, I really find that keeping brush and lather warm is best. The problem is I'm a slowish shaver. I also apply the lather bit-by-bit, in 4 installments actually: right half of face, left half of face, left half neck, right half neck.

Are you kidding about the soap going bad?

I use Williams, and it is already bad. I can't believe it could get worse...:fim:

I also don't rinse off the soap after making my lather. It's just more soap for next time!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by toolarts

Are you kidding about the soap going bad?

I use Williams, and it is already bad. I can't believe it could get worse...:fim:

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My Williams doesn't go bad and a puck lasts several months. Shaves OK too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

Dear "Slippery Brush",

Clearly, your brush is having an affair. Try talking to your brush. Everyone needs to be held, even brushes. If it keeps slipping out whenever you try to hold it, that's a sign of something in your relationship that isn't quite right. Are you being too clingy with your brush? Do you need your brush more than it needs you? Do you hold on too tightly? Brushes need a little space sometimes.

Remember, shavers are from Mars, brushes are from Vulfix.

Aunty Jimbo.

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Heya, Bruce! That was single most funny thing I've read all day! Thank you ever so much! :roflmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jimmyray

I also don't rinse off the soap after making my lather. It's just more soap for next time!

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How about not rinsing the face - does it save on water and aftershaves?

I've had this debate with a few other people. Yes, I do leave the residual lather in the bowl. I see nothing wrong with letting it dry out and using it again. To anyone who thinks this is not hygienic, I will simply ask, do you use a fresh bar of soap every time you shower? If not, I see no reason to object to re-using lather.

I scrape all residual lather from my brush onto the rim of my lather bowl as well. Over time, an accumulation of soap builds up on the rim but it just adds to the lather when I'm building it. Occasionally, maybe once a week, I don't bother getting any soap from the soap bowl but instead build the lather just from the residue in the lather bowl.

I am always amazed when I read comments about their soap lasting for weeks. I don't scrimp on my lather at all but I usually replace my soap only once every 5 to 7 years!!!:eek:

How's that for cheap?

I was kind of trying to make a joke, I guess it went over like a wet soap puck.

I buy the Williams online, in bulk, and get it for, well, like $2.00 a bar. It's OK stuff, doesn't have any frilly flowery smells, which I kind of like. Also, I have developed a skin sensitivity to some of the other soaps, and so far, no problem with Williams.

It works up a decent lather, thought it is improved by the Aloe.

I still want to try a bowl instead of a mug and see if the puck will dry better so I don't have to rinse it


I like to use lots of lather. The more of my fact I can cover up, the better I look in the mirror.;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

I am always amazed when I read comments about their soap lasting for weeks. I don't scrimp on my lather at all but I usually replace my soap only once every 5 to 7 years!!!:eek:

How's that for cheap?

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Dude, that statement is pretty amazing.

1. If you can, please post a picture of your bowl so we can see your arrangement.
2. Let us know what brand soap this is. I am not doubting you, I just want to try to reproduce your results. I'm thinking my whole method is wrong, I am just getting the soap too wet.

Paul

I'll to get back to you on that. I'm going to be out of town for a couple of days.

I have used a variety of soaps, including Williams years ago, with the same results so it is not specific to the soap. Because of reading this forum I had to try a couple of other soaps so I now have three pucks of soap that I use depending on my whim. That means I'm not going to be buying any more soap for a couple of decades! My favorite, which I learned of from this forum is Tabac.:tu Another is a Crabtree and Evelyn Sandalwood that I'm not thrilled with (nothing wrong with it, just nothing special) that I bought simply because I was buying a C&E brush. Finally, a Caswell-Massey Sandalwood that I bought over 10 years ago. That one has the shaving quality and sandalwood smell that the C&E is lacking.

The puck I used prior to those 3 was also a Caswell-Massey. I bought the 2 C-M soaps simply because they were on a clearance rack and were really cheap. Prior to the Tabac, I have pretty much figured that there was little difference between soaps and given how long each of my soaps last, I have had little opportunity to do much comparison shopping.

I suppose the main point is that you CAN make your soap last a lot longer if you want it to and in my opinion that longevity is dependent upon your methodology, not your choice of soap.

I'll try to come up with pictures in a few days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jimmyray

I also don't rinse off the soap after making my lather. It's just more soap for next time!

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I hope you are at least cleaning out your brush....talk about a stinky badger....ewwww:eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

I've had this debate with a few other people. Yes, I do leave the residual lather in the bowl. I see nothing wrong with letting it dry out and using it again. To anyone who thinks this is not hygienic, I will simply ask, do you use a fresh bar of soap every time you shower? If not, I see no reason to object to re-using lather.

I scrape all residual lather from my brush onto the rim of my lather bowl as well. Over time, an accumulation of soap builds up on the rim but it just adds to the lather when I'm building it. Occasionally, maybe once a week, I don't bother getting any soap from the soap bowl but instead build the lather just from the residue in the lather bowl.

I am always amazed when I read comments about their soap lasting for weeks. I don't scrimp on my lather at all but I usually replace my soap only once every 5 to 7 years!!!:eek:

How's that for cheap?

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Ummm, this might be below the pale, but you are um.... changing undies more often than every 5-7, right? ";"

As a slight :OT i'd like to enquire.... how long is it considered to be before a brush is too old to use? I mean everything must have a shelf life, right? The reason I ask is because I recently bought a job lot which will soon be delivered. It includes 5 razors (approx) and 2 brushes. But the brushes look OLD. I suspect I will just chuck them out, but dont know what state they are in (as they are yet to arrive) and dont know how long a brush stays good for.

What are your thoughts? And I welcome sensible comments as well as 'Jimbo' comments. ";"

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Originally Posted by sidneykidney

As a slight :OT i'd like to enquire.... how long is it considered to be before a brush is too old to use? I mean everything must have a shelf life, right? The reason I ask is because I recently bought a job lot which will soon be delivered. It includes 5 razors (approx) and 2 brushes. But the brushes look OLD. I suspect I will just chuck them out, but dont know what state they are in (as they are yet to arrive) and dont know how long a brush stays good for.

What are your thoughts? And I welcome sensible comments as well as 'Jimbo' comments. ";"

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I'm still using the brush my grandfather used when I was a young man (~40 yrs ago). I have used it for over 5 yrs. No telling how long he used it. Still works. It's just a lather applicator....