A Method For Making Lather

I want to share this with the new guys who may be new to wet shaving, or have been unsatisfied with the way their shaving lather comes out.

This is the way I make my lather. If you want a thick, non-drying lather, try this: (works with both cake soaps and from the tube/jar lathers)

1. Wet brush and shake out excess water. You can also wet your cake of soap if you wish.

2. Stir brush into soap, or a small dab of cream (for instance with Trumpers creams from tube or jar, about 1/8 to 1/4 tsp is sufficient).

3. Continue stirring briskly until you have a very thick concentrate; very pasty like. With the creams (like Trumpers) you'll see that nearly all of the cream gets taken up into the brush. With cake soaps there will be a very thick concentrate of lather in the brush and over the cake.

4. Start adding very small amounts of warm water either directly to the brush, or into your bowl or mug. Stir the water into the concentrate until it thickens again. Continue to add water gradually in small amounts until you reach your desired consistency and volume. The more water you add, the less likely the lather will dry prematurley on the face. Don't over do it though, or you'll end up with a runny lather.

That's it. Just apply to the face.

I use this method with William's shaving soap and get great results. Some complain that William's has a tendency to dry, and it did with me, until I discovered this way of making my shaving lather.

For extra creaminess, try adding a touch of mineral oil (like brilliantine for the hair), or pre-shave oil, at the beginning. Oh yes, you can also make your lather in your cupped hand with this method, especially if using creams.

By the way, don't try this with brushless creams. It won't work.

Good luck,

Scott

This also works for lathering on the face. I'll second the comment that Williams works very well when given enough water.

I've tried this method but find that even using recently boiled water I can't make the lather hot enough to keep my beard soft and still allow the razor to glide. I had a particularly rough time with my DB last night and it won, leaving my head a bleeding mess ( I rarely cut myself and then it's only a small nick. I showered, used a hot, wet facecloth and still looked like I'd run head first through a thorn bush. I'm using a soap (forget the brand but not Williams). Suggestions?

Hi Painter,

You might try treating your head to a barbershop shave! Which means you can whip up a warm lather and apply it. The wrap your head with a warm and moist towel and let everything set for 5 or so minutes; then relather and shave. Also you might try to make your lather a little more liquidy. Some soaps preform better with a wetter but thinner lather.

Hope this helps because my dovo has never been north of my nose.

Cheers!

soap will play a big role . Try Tabac and see what happens. GL

Lol. And a STIFF brush. My VDH soap work(ed- I don't use it anymore) better with the boar brush than the badger lol.

I started doing this same method with VDH about a week ago. Was having a hell of a time with lather and figured I could get a better lesson if I just started with soap and added water incrementally.

turns out my face holds just the right amount of water already so now I create the thick paste texture in the mug and finish lathering directly on my face.

That's pretty much what I do, sometimes, I'll throw a few drops of Glycerin in there.
I never have trouble with anything drying out on my face. The biggest thing is patience, and really learning how to whip it up. I use very, very small amounts of water at a time. You can easily go overboard. A good creamy lather takes a bit of time and you need to be patient and stir and press, stir, press, etc....

I can tell the difference in lather quality when I am adding 6 drops versus three drops at a time. Less water at a time = creamier, moister lather. The only downside is that it does take me twice as long to get the lather, but I'm always glad I took the time. The only other thing I would add is try using distilled water, even if you live in a soft water area. That also made a big difference for me.

also hot water. HOT. dunno why but it helps. Probably dissolves more soap per unit of water

Curiously, why did you stop using VDH?

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Originally Posted by khaos

Lol. And a STIFF brush. My VDH soap work(ed- I don't use it anymore) better with the boar brush than the badger lol.

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Originally Posted by leadduck

Curiously, why did you stop using VDH?

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You will likely need to use a PM or a time machine to find out. 2009 was a long time ago in the forum world.

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Originally Posted by leadduck

Curiously, why did you stop using VDH?

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Can't answer for khaos, but I used Williams and Colgate for years, then the store where I shopped stoppped carrying them, and only had VDH, so I started using it. I never really liked it, and I was not sure why. After a year or so, I found Williams at another local store, so I switched back. I have since learned Williams is a tallow based soap, whereas the VDH that I used is a glycerin based soap, and I know now that I much preper tallow based soaps, whether it be Williams, which I still use, or Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna, which is excellent, Arko, which I used yesterday, and others.

2009? Oh, yeah. I didn't check the date. If you haven't tried VDH lately, you may be in for a surprise. Yes, it used to be a glycerin soap, but it's definitely changed. It seems to me, to be a tallow based product.