Lather, Cream, or something in between?

Hello gentlemen,

I'm still pretty new to the straight shaving game (about two months in) and have yet another question! This one is about my preshave. I have a soap and badger brush that were given to my by my father, the brush is in great condition (as far as I can tell), and the soap appears to be fine. However, when I create my lather (I've tried several different methods which I've found here and on other sites) my razor does not seem to "glide" very well. Lately I've been using foam out of a can, and have been having great results! I wonder if soap can get "too old"? This soap whips up nicely, and stays put on my face, but doesn't give me the same lubrication as a canned cream. Should I try another soap, or stick with the can since it works? FYI the soap is a "colgate palm-olive soap" from NY, if that means anything to anyone. Thanks in advance for your thoughts, you guys have been great helping me in the past!
Cheers!

Soaps are notorious for being harder to lather well vs creams, especially if you have hard water or a brush that is too soft or not dense enough. That's not to say you're not lathering properly, just throwing it out there. Feel free to mix your old soap with some cream, maybe adding a little glycerin to the mix, see uberlather in the wiki section. Some soaps lather and feel better than others so you just have to experiment. If your soap is many years old you may consider tossing it and starting with a fresh puck. The foam in a can is not horrible stuff, just not really good for your skin and of course takes away the pleasure of whipping up your own warm lather. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by joben

Hello gentlemen,

I'm still pretty new to the straight shaving game (about two months in) and have yet another question! This one is about my preshave. I have a soap and badger brush that were given to my by my father, the brush is in great condition (as far as I can tell), and the soap appears to be fine. However, when I create my lather (I've tried several different methods which I've found here and on other sites) my razor does not seem to "glide" very well. Lately I've been using foam out of a can, and have been having great results! I wonder if soap can get "too old"? This soap whips up nicely, and stays put on my face, but doesn't give me the same lubrication as a canned cream. Should I try another soap, or stick with the can since it works? FYI the soap is a "colgate palm-olive soap" from NY, if that means anything to anyone. Thanks in advance for your thoughts, you guys have been great helping me in the past!
Cheers!

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Building a lather by hand takes some practice.

So practice, Do not toss the soap but use it up playing
and learning.

Canned goo can be much improved by working it
on the face with a bit of water. Try a small bit
of goo and a wet brush and lightly work it on
your face. Rinse and apply a second small bit
of goo rinse the brush, face lather adding water
as needed and then shave.

Shop for quality shave soaps locally or on line.
C.O. Bigelow, Proraso face lather nicely.
Williams with a pea of Proraso lathers nicely in a mug.
Tabac lathers with ease for many. Many many more...

One hint is to try the refill before you by the soap+fancy.container.
You will be able to try almost twice as many soaps
for the same bucks.

You have an older but fine badger brush.
Consider picking up an inexpensive (<$15..) kit
Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set (Soap, Bowl, Brush)
then pound that boar brush and soap experimenting this
way and that way. Too much water, too little,
too hot, too cold whatever.... After tinkering
a bit with this inexpensive kit you should appreciate
the badger brush and learned a lot about "latherin".


What ever works... works.