Thread: Im confused about how to use soap and a mug.

I just got a straight razor set for my birthday. I got a puck of soap staight razor and a brush.
From here I have learned I need a mug. But I am not sure how you use it. From what I have gathered you put the puck in the mug.

now do I just soak the brush and use it to lather the soap in the mug or what?

This question comes up fairly often and there's a great article that should give you a good start: http://www.classicshaving.com/articl...0351/18187.htm

You also need a strop.

I rarely use soaps but here is how I use them when I did:

You put the puck of soap in the mug and pour hot water (not boiling) into the mug. Then drop the brush in there too. I then pour the water out and add more hot water. Let the soap and brush soak for about a minute each time, essentially to warm up.

Then dump out all the water again. Knock the water out of brush. Place the mug on a table top or sink and swirl it around using pressure. Fast and with authority. Then towards the end let up of the pressure. The soap will then "explode" and create a creamy . . . well, cream. Anyway, then apply to your face and shave.

Now there are some important arguments to be made for this modification:

Right after you use pressure to swirl the brush put it on your face and create the lathery cream on your face.

Either way you want the soap to sit on your face for a minute. Reapply after it soaks a little into your skin then shave away.

Do not rinse the brush, reapply often during the shave for best results.

After your done rinse everything out and let the brush hang downward to dry. You can leave it in the mug if you desire.

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

You also need a strop.

yeah i have one of those too.

My life is simple.

Drop soap in mug.

Get brush wet.

Swirl it on the soap a while till lather starts, then directly to face and finish building lather on face.

I never soak the soap. I get plenty of lather without that and the soap lasts longer.

The first time you use it the soap may move around in the mug a bit, but after the first use the residual lather and water will "glue" the puck to the mug and it will be stable after that.

I am probably not qualified to answer questions at this point as I've only been using SRs for approximately 60 days, but I did experience a similar question as yours early on. Through experimentation I arrived at my favorite way:

1) I run water until very hot; fill the mug and drop the brush in to soak up hot water (then I go about other shave prep for maybe 2 mintues).
2) Lift brush out and let it drip out (like ClassicShaving article, no "shaking, tapping or flicking"); dump water out of mug.
3) Hold soap cake (or tub if I'm using Proraso dish soap) at a 45 degree angle over the mug and swirl the brush around for about 20 seconds. All water that "falls" off lands in the mug.
4) I put the soap down, grab the mug and swirl it around almost like beating an egg for 1-2 minutes (varies depending upon the soap, you'll ultimately figure out when you need to stop).
5) Paint brush on face for a "first coat" and then use the circles to rub in for 1-2 minutes (again, you'll get to know when that soap is ready).
6) As I reapply through the shave I drop the brush in the mug, quick swirl or two and then reapply (occassionally I need to add another few drops of water to get the right consistency).

I like this approach because I have good control over the inputs (water/soap); I can use this technique with a cake soap, tub soap or creams; I only need one mug as the puck doesn't get stuck down at the bottom; it is great for the relather; and I seem to go through my soap more slowly.

I'm with Howard.

X

Originally Posted by xman

I'm with Howard.

X

when did you go to washington state? is it still raining there or has it finally started to snow?

There's a nice "sticky" by Lynn in the Shaving section that addresses how to use the mug and brush. Have a look there.