Making Lather

**kahunamoose** · 02-13-2009, 06:03 AM

Don’t do your first shaves on the way to work. It’s going to take more time than you are expecting if you are going to do it safely. Do it when you have time to give this process the proper attention and enjoy it. You are apt to get a few cuts, no use worrying about explaining them all day. When you start to lather, soak the brush in hot water for a few minutes, so your brush does not soak up water and leave you wondering where the water went. I keep my soap puck in a mug and later with it in that mug. Others put a small amount of soap in a different mug to lather, or lather on their face. “There are many ways to skin a cat!” Otherwise, just jump in, swirl the brush around on the soap, and see what happens. You will pick up on it quickly.

**Moggs** · 02-13-2009, 08:53 AM

Good stuff on the wiki: http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...nded_Equipment

I hope that link works, otherwise just look under 'recommended equipment'.

**dward** · 02-13-2009, 10:12 AM

A hearty welcome to SRP!!

As to creating the proper lather. There are a few variables that you alone will have to figure out. The referenced video is a great starter. The type of soap/cream, brush, hardness of your water, soap/cream to water ratio, and whether you generate your lather in a bowl or on your face. All go into the mix. For cream I use about an almond size amount of cream to a few tablespoons of water and whip up the lather in my lather bowl. For soaps I try to get a fair amount of the soap on my brush, then use a few tablespoons of water and whip up my lather in the lather bowl. We have members who generate the lather on their face.

I know this sounds like I am telling you you are on your own. It's really not. The answer will depend on those factors. Don't worry, it sounds a lot more complicated than it is. You'll develop the techniques that work for you.

**winterkid** · 02-13-2009, 12:15 PM

Thanks gang for the suggestions and comments.

I also found this video that was fantastic and gives lots of details and goof ups for the beginner!

YouTube - How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather

**Denno** · 02-13-2009, 12:18 PM

Im sorry 2 minutes to whip up some lather? I whip it up in 30-40 seconds.

**winterkid** · 02-13-2009, 08:06 PM

30 sec? Wow. I tried it again this morning and it was still whimpy.

I'm using a soap bar I got from a local barber online seller (not associated with SRP). It was only $1.50 so I thought I'd try it. There's not a name on it, so maybe its the soap.

This morning I rubbed my boar brush in the mug with the bar until the tips were showing the soap. Then I switched to another mug to make the lather. I added about 1tsp or water and slowly added more since it looked dry. Eventually I added too much and it was runny and ran down my neck.

Since that was a bust I rinsed out my brush ans redipped it into the soap mug and tried mixing it on my face. All that did is make my face sudsy, but no real later. By the time I shaved one cheeck what use to resemble lather was all but gone.

Is it the soap? Is it my whipping method? Brush? or expectations?

**Pete_S** · 02-14-2009, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by winterkid

30 sec? Wow. I tried it again this morning and it was still whimpy.

I'm using a soap bar I got from a local barber online seller (not associated with SRP). It was only $1.50 so I thought I'd try it. There's not a name on it, so maybe its the soap.

This morning I rubbed my boar brush in the mug with the bar until the tips were showing the soap. Then I switched to another mug to make the lather. I added about 1tsp or water and slowly added more since it looked dry. Eventually I added too much and it was runny and ran down my neck.

Since that was a bust I rinsed out my brush ans redipped it into the soap mug and tried mixing it on my face. All that did is make my face sudsy, but no real later. By the time I shaved one cheeck what use to resemble lather was all but gone.

Is it the soap? Is it my whipping method? Brush? or expectations?

You're using a 1.50 soap bar? You want to get some better soap -thats prolly Williams or Marvy? another cheap soap. They aren't bad per se, but if you're starting out the whole learning to lather and using a straight you definitely want the good stuff. Get some Tabac, Mitchells Wool Fat, Honeybee Spa, ect. I got my Tabac from qedusa.com, I guess they still have it there... you may have to email them, the website is notorious...

As far as method goes, I just rub the soap cake on my whiskers till I have a good build up, then build a lather on my face with the wet brush. If you load up your face with soap you shouldn't have much trouble with this method.

**Rajagra** · 02-13-2009, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Denno

Im sorry 2 minutes to whip up some lather? I whip it up in 30-40 seconds.

There are many variables, you should spend as long as needed, it's not a race (at least not at this point of the shave.)
Hard water slows it down, hard soap is different to creams, badger brushes can be quicker than boar brushes.

I had to follow this advice to get good lather from a puck of soap:

How to make great lather from a soap ~ Tutorial - Badger & Blade
(From: Lather Help. )

Alternatively this sounds excellent:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...tml#post319377

**sbrouwers** · 02-14-2009, 12:11 AM

+1 Rajagra I was reading and going to post the same 2 threads. I originally posted the one from Badgers and while still looking on building better lather I found the other. They both helped me out I have gotten great results from both. Just take your time winterkid and you will get it down it takes some time. And welcome to SRP this is a great place with lots of great advice for us new straight shavers

**Denno** · 02-14-2009, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Rajagra

There are many variables, you should spend as long as needed, it's not a race (at least not at this point of the shave.)
Hard water slows it down, hard soap is different to creams, badger brushes can be quicker than boar brushes.

I had to follow this advice to get good lather from a puck of soap:

How to make great lather from a soap ~ Tutorial - Badger & Blade
(From: Lather Help. )

Alternatively this sounds excellent:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...tml#post319377

Hehe ofcourse its not a race. Just feelt that 2 minutes seemed like a real long time. I use a mug to make the lather to. Just use the same cup that soap is in is not that good.

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