Thread: Hot Lather

I understand that it is important for preparation that the emulsified soap be hot when it's lathed onto the face; but after whipping out the excess water, stirring my brush against the shave soap until the lather is the recommended consistency, and finally bringing it to my face, the lather is warm at best (from hot water from tap). The only exception is when I boil water prior to shaving and use that, but I'm afraid water that hot is bad for my brush, and that's not convenient for shaving right after a shower anyway.

What's the best way to get a hot lather on the face?

Not having a scuttle, which is designed to keep the lather nice & warm, I whip mine up in a bowl & stand it in the bathroom basin filled with hot water. It doesn't have to be hot hot. The warmth just helps to soften the bristles a bit more. That's an option if you don't want the expense of a scuttle right now.

Originally Posted by chickenspider

I understand that it is important for preparation that the emulsified soap be hot when it's lathed onto the face; but after whipping out the excess water, stirring my brush against the shave soap until the lather is the recommended consistency, and finally bringing it to my face, the lather is warm at best (from hot water from tap). The only exception is when I boil water prior to shaving and use that, but I'm afraid water that hot is bad for my brush, and that's not convenient for shaving right after a shower anyway.

What's the best way to get a hot lather on the face?

No, hot is not bad for your brush (if you are using tap water). I run hot tap water on my brush in my lather bowl while I am stropping. Although the brush and lather are nice and warm on my skin I wouldn't characterize it as hot. If it were that hot it would dry on face too quickly anyway.

Everyone has their own methods for most everything involved with straight razor shaving. My particular method is to dump my soaking water from my shave soap into the lather bowl, flick the excess water off my brush, get the soap on my brush, then whip up the lather in my lather bowl. I put one coat of lather on my face, put a hot towel over the lather, then re-lather and off to the races with the razor. You will develop what works best for you.

one way i have found (again assuming you don't have a scuttle) is to boil some water, place your mug in a nice glass bowl and pour the boiling water in until the mug is just about to float. mix up your lather in that and it will stay hot for the whole shave. it even not a bad idea to let the mug sit in the boiling water for a bit before you mix up the lather (like while you are stropping) as the mug will hold some heat. it works great for me. try it out.

One thing that works for the first pass is to lather on
your face, gradually adding small amounts of hot water
to the brush.

- Scott

I'm not too sure if anyone actually gets "hot" lather...Warm for sure. My makeshift scuttle is basically my shaving bowl sitting inside a slightly larger stainless bowl. I fill about 1/2 inch of the hottest tap water in the stainless, then set my bowl inside it after making my lather and while stropping the razor. It makes for a really nice warm first pass lather. It sure beats cold lather, I started shaving with cold lather in the beginning and would never, ever go back. Try what works for you and enjoy! Jeremy-

I use a coffee cup warmer to keep my lather warm throughout my three passes. I have heard that a candle warmer works well also.

bj

I don't know that the lather has to be hot, but warm. I try to keep it similar to what the barber lathers on my face. It tends to dry up for me when it is too hot.

One reason for your problem may be that the soap that you start out with is cold. you may want to let some of the hot water to sit on top of your soap while you warm your brush.

I usually lather on my face rather than whipping up the lather on the soap. I like the scrubbing action on my face, and the latter also uses your soap up faster. With my usual pace, the lather usually stays warm in my brush for the two passes I need. If I need to add water, letting some hot tap water dribble onto the base of the knot warms up the ensuing lather. Adding to the base also releases the lather within the knot more than just dipping the tip.

I have a small moss scuttle, and it is a nice thing to have, but is not really necessary when I lather like I described. It is more useful when I pre-lather cream in a bowl, which is probably 10% of the time.

Originally Posted by 2Sharp

I use a coffee cup warmer to keep my lather warm throughout my three passes. I have heard that a candle warmer works well also.

bj

Judging by that photo...That's addiction!

Originally Posted by 2Sharp

I use a coffee cup warmer to keep my lather warm throughout my three passes. I have heard that a candle warmer works well also.

bj

That's one heck of a good idea!