Making Lather

**winterkid** · 02-13-2009, 01:10 AM

This sounds like such a stupid question, but the community seems to really care for each other so I'm going to put my ignorance out there and hope for the best.

My Wapi arrived this week from RupRazor.com. Ken was awesome to order from if you are looking for someone you can trust. Look for Ken Rupkalvis (www.RupRazor.com) in the Mall.

Anyway, tomarrow I'm off work and was going to start my first shave. I've read all the newbie notes and have watch who knows how many videos that folks in the forum have recommended. However, tonight as I made sure all my gear was ready I looked at the soap, mug and brush and ask, "What the heck do I do with that?"

There are lots of notes on shaving, but how do I make the lather in the mug?

See, it sounds stupid...but if lather is a major key to shaving, or at least my 1-2 strokes I'll start with, I want to me sure I start off on the right foot.

Thanks guys.

**oldfat1** · 02-13-2009, 02:01 AM

YouTube - Introduction to Traditional Wetshaving, Part 2: Lathering

**kahunamoose** · 02-13-2009, 07:03 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, 09:53 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, 11:12 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, 01:15 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, 01:18 PM

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

**winterkid** · 02-13-2009, 09:06 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?

**lawman2** · 02-13-2009, 09:20 PM

I never liked building lather in the same mug that I keep my soap in and I could never build a rich a lather on my face as I could in a mug or bowl.

Originally Posted by kahunamoose

“There are many ways to skin a cat!”

He's right and I've tried most of them but this is the one I've settled on for most days.

I keep my soap puck in a mug. I begin by getting a cereal bowl out of the kitchen and filling it with hot water to soak the brush in. I also put a few drops of hot water on the soap to soften it up. Some don't like to do that as it might waste soap but I don't find that to be true.

After showering or hot towelling my face, I empty the bowl and put a few drops of glycerin in it. Then, I shake most of the water out of the brush and begin working the brush into the soap. When lather starts coming up around the brush I go from the mug to the bowl and begin stirring the brush around the bowl. As the lather starts to build I will have to add a little water to the brush from time to time.

Don't give up on stirring. It may take a few seconds. Before long, I've got a bowl full of great lather. Just takes a little practice. It'll come to you.

**GotchaDef** · 02-13-2009, 09:26 PM

I had the same problem with the soap drying up on my face very quickly, so you're not alone here. I have experimented with different amounts of water to mix with the soap, but now I'm gonna try soaking the brush in water before hand. Good luck

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