Thread: Using Shave Cream

I am expecting a tub of T&H cream. I have always used soap and I have no idea of how much cream to use, and how much of water. I have a lather bowl that I lather the soap. Can anyone let me know that information? Thanks...

Hi Dan,

When I use cream i just build a lather with the brush on my face, rather than use a bowl. I have the brush pretty wet (soak it then just one gentle flick over the sink so it's not dripping) then I put a dollop of cream about twice the size of a peanut onto the brush and rub the thing over my face to build up the lather.

This gives me about enough lather remaining in the brush to do the second and third passes too.

Cheers,
Ian.

I use a scuttle, sometimes I swirl the brush in the cream and then build lather in the scuttle, other times I put about3-5cc of water in the bowl, and a piece of cream a little smaller than a dime.Both methods work well. Less is more.

I have used Trumpers rose cream for about the past 6 years. It will take a bit of trial and error, but after about 4 shaves you will have the right ratio of cream to water. I usually fill a sink of hot water, drop my brush and Georgetown scuttle in there to soak and warm up while I have a shower. By the time I get out of the shower, the scuttle is lovely and warm and the badger hair brush well soaked.

I usually leave a small amount of water in the scuttle bowl (guessing half a tea spoon) and I let most of the water run off the brush, give it a gently flick or shake and then dip the damp whiskers into the Trumpers tub. It is very difficult to say how much cream the whiskers pick up but after a few attempts you will get used to it.

I have used creams without a scuttle but find that the lather dries out on the brush a bit much between passes and therefore moved to a bowl and then a scuttle. I have never used a hard soap to shave with as I doubt the cream can be bettered.

Regardless of your method, it will take you 2-3 times to get your soap to water ratio correct. When in doubt, go with less water and add a bit more water as needed to get the lather consistency you want. Lots of folks lather on the face but I find lathering in a bowl to be just downright convenient for getting the right lather consistency before I apply it to my face. YMMV and all of that...

Different horses for different courses? You'll find what works for you.

But I would suggest a fingertip full of shaving cream (some people say an amount about the size of an almond, I use less), then soak your brush in hot water, let the excess drain off (by turning the brush bristles down) and then lather in the bowl. You can always add more water if the mixture is too thick. It's a bit more wasteful to add more cream if it's too thin.

There are variables, so it's trial and error. You'll get it after a few times.

I recently started lathering in a bowl & I like it. Anyway, an almond-sized dab of cream + as much water as the brush will hold is a good place to start. sometimes I load the brush with soap & add a peanut-size dab of cream to the soap. The lather is a nice compromise between slick & fluffy.

I've been using creams since I started - the way I do it is soak the brush in water, shake it off 3 times, then swirl the brush around the cream bowl about 4 times, then put it in my warmed shave mug and build a lather

More passes would mean more foamy, but more water required.

Here is a guide I did for making Uberlather sometime back, again I will say that this technique works for "Just Soap" or "Just Cream" all you need to do is dissect it apart....

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...berlather.html