Thread: How important is the bowl when making lather

I'm new to wetshaving and have been experimenting with making lather from soaps. I'm using a cheap pure badger brush, C&E Nomad soap and so far have been getting very inconsistent results as i try different bowls.

I started with a smallish mixing bowl with a rough surface and found that i would either get a small amount of good lather or a larger amount of crap. Then a switched to a larger, smooth bowl and got a large quantity of great lather first try.

I would have thought the rough bowl would give me a better (more aerated) lather but this doesn't seem to be the case. Do you think the difference is coming from the surface, size or just chance?

I say "chance". Making lather is all about ratios of water and soap and technique. Keep reading up and search for "uberlather".

Some guys use bowls, some use their palms, some mix it right on their face. It is all in finding out what works for you by trying. Some swish the brush around, some mash it up and down. You'll get it, jst keep reading and keep trying.

Jerry

My lathers have been getting gradually better, but when i changed bowls i got a substantially better lather so i thought I'd check whether there was anything to it. Buts it's easily possible that things have just clicked.

I think I used a bowl once or twice when I just started and have been face latherer since.
I'd say the best may be to take half an hour making lather few time, and you'll figure it out. As kilowattkid said, the most important part is the soap and water quantities.
There are some youtube videos by mantic that may be useful.

Bowls are vital for me when making lather. It holds my soap, and I can let water sit on the soap in the bowl for a few minutes to get softened up. Then, I can whisk the holy bejeebers out of it in the bowl without fear of sudsy retribution all over the vanity or mirror. After that, during the shave, my bowl is a handy receptacle for holding spare lather, wet soap, and the brush.

I love the bowl. Any bowl will do. Time, patience, and experimentation are your friends.

James.

+1 with Jimbo. You can spend a small fortune on a bowl (or scuttle), or go the dollar store and pick up one. It just needs to be large enough to work the lather with the brush. Like soaps, creams and scents it is personal choice.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Bowls are vital for me when making lather. It holds my soap, and I can let water sit on the soap in the bowl for a few minutes to get softened up. Then, I can whisk the holy bejeebers out of it in the bowl without fear of sudsy retribution all over the vanity or mirror. After that, during the shave, my bowl is a handy receptacle for holding spare lather, wet soap, and the brush.

I love the bowl. Any bowl will do. Time, patience, and experimentation are your friends.

James.

+1

For great lather you must be sure to eliminate all bejeebers from the bowl!



To the original poster: was one bowl differently sized from the other one?

Trying out different bowls can be kind of fun too. I don't spend more than $10-12 on any regular bowl.

But I did drop $50 on a scuttle

Originally Posted by Seraphim

To the original poster: was one bowl differently sized from the other one?

Yes, the rough bowl was much smaller than the smooth. And the smooth gave a much better lather

Originally Posted by RobJ

I'm new to wetshaving and have been experimenting with making lather from soaps. I'm using a cheap pure badger brush, C&E Nomad soap and so far have been getting very inconsistent results as i try different bowls.

I started with a smallish mixing bowl with a rough surface and found that i would either get a small amount of good lather or a larger amount of crap. Then a switched to a larger, smooth bowl and got a large quantity of great lather first try.

I would have thought the rough bowl would give me a better (more aerated) lather but this doesn't seem to be the case. Do you think the difference is coming from the surface, size or just chance?

I find it easier to get "uberlather" with a bowl that's at least twice the diameter of the brush. For some reason it's harder for me to get decent lather in a small container...the worst being a mug where the handle of my brush only has about an inch of clearance on all sides.

To see the container I've had the best results with go the the mugs, brushes & stuff forum and take a gander at my new GP scuttle.

I would check out Mantic59 on youtube, he has some great videos about lathering.
But from what I have heard C&E Nomad does not give a very good lather.. I haven't used it myself but thats what I hear. I use a Truefitt&Hill's soap with an ordinary large teacup from IKEA and it works great. I think the soap is much more important when it comes to lathering.