Thread: Roll back garbage

Cheap isn't the qualifier for bad soap. my firiend... Get a stick of Arko for two bucks and you"ll see what I mean... In the mean time goba ck to wally worrld and pick up a bottle of glycerine and add a drop to your wally lather..

It definitely wasnt easy to get a good lather from the soap, but it definitely beat barbasol lol.

What retail store sells better stuff?

Unfortunately most stores near me don't have anything. I usually have to order mine. The VDH luxury soap is alot better than the deluxe and some retail stores sell that. I agree with above that you can't beat Arko for the price. Proraso can be found at Bath and Body Works as I recall. Not sure about others since like I said I usually have to order mine.

Try soaking the brush for a couple minutes and then shake it out and continue adding water throughout the process a few drops At a time on top of the soap

Arko can't be beat for the price (they are shave sticks) and can be got on Amazon, if you have any Indian Grocers in your area they might have Godej cream or similar Indian creams, Bed, Bath and Beyond has their version of re branded Proraso. It's out there, it will just take some hunting. Barber supply stores are also a good resource for brushes and old school aftershaves

Originally Posted by JeffreyxMadness

It definitely wasnt easy to get a good lather from the soap, but it definitely beat barbasol lol.

What retail store sells better stuff?

Originally Posted by JeffreyxMadness

It definitely wasnt easy to get a good lather from the soap, but it definitely beat barbasol lol.

Originally Posted by gunsandbibles

Try soaking the brush for a couple minutes and then shake it out and continue adding water throughout the process a few drops At a time on top of the soap

Also, try wetting the top of the soap for a few minutes with hot water, and then slightly pump the brush up and down while working up the lather. This works fantastic for me using the Van Der Hagen soap and brush, and as mentioned above, add a couple of drops of glycerine to the mix... THICK lather will be the end result.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

It sounds to me you'll enjoy making Überlathers. If you're new to straight razor shaving I think a cream works a little better than a soap, as a soap I feel takes longer to master (as in creating a really nice lather from a soap). However, mixing a cream, lather and glycerine can turn an 'OK" soap into something delightful to behold.

You'll get to the stage where you have your favourite mix. Currently I like Edwin Jagger Sea Buckthorn mixed with Musgo real Orange Amber. Faulding 'Shave' cream is also good with the Edwin Jagger. The Faulding 'Shave' cream isn't really good enough for straight shaving as is, but with a middling soap and glycerine it's excellent.

Hope you have fun with the soaps and lathers, it really is 1/2 the fun!

Carl

Originally Posted by Wintchase

Cheap isn't the qualifier for bad soap. my firiend... Get a stick of Arko for two bucks and you"ll see what I mean... In the mean time goba ck to wally worrld and pick up a bottle of glycerine and add a drop to your wally lather..

Originally Posted by JeffreyxMadness

It definitely wasnt easy to get a good lather from the soap, but it definitely beat barbasol lol.

What retail store sells better stuff?

You may find some Clearly Natural glycerin soap at a local dollar store. If there is a Whole Foods nearby, they have 365 brand glycerin soap for 2 dollars. Bath and Body works sells large tubes of C.O. Bigelow cream (rebranded Proraso green), buy two get one free, under 3 bucks each if you find the right coupon. Soak your VDH boar brush or just run it under the faucet 2 or 3 seconds, shake it out just once, then swirl it 5 or 10 seconds on the glycerin soap and then lather up in a bowl with an almond sized portion of the Bigelow cream - now just add additional water or cream to your liking and don't be afraid to use the brush to lather on your face - and your a lathering pro.

The lather from that combo is so good and you'll have so much leftover you can squeeze it out of the brush at the end and smear it all over your bathroom mirror to keep it fog resistant or just put it back in a bowl or mug with the glycerin soap. You can also use glycerin soap as prep in the shower to wash your beard and face to slicken it up for the shave.

Some local barber/beauty supply brick and mortar stores may have AS. I've found Pinuad Bay Rum and that sort of thing at those. You could also pick up a puck of Williams at most pharmacies. Cheap but a lot of guys like it.

A few guys have mentioned the C.O.Bigelow at Bath & Body Works which is re-branded Proraso green. If you have Rite Aid drug stores up there, they carry "The Real Shave Company Moisturizing Shave Cream", which is a ridiculous name, but a seriously top notch cream. No matter how much "stuff" I aquire, these two are both good enough to stay in my rotation alongside the big boys.

You never mentioned anything about a strop. You may want to start looking for one of those or when the razor comes(providing it's shave ready) you will have a lull in your excitement again. Or maybe I missed that thread .

Forgot the topic ... Momma bears and Al's for me. Lather rama