Thread: Roll back garbage

As some of you know, I just ordered my first cutthroat razor and by this point, I'm all a'flutter with anticipation, itching for my first shave.

Earlier today, I became caught up in lather/cream instructional videos and found that for many classic shavors, this is their most enjoyable part of the process; mixing oils and scents with warm relaxing soaps and the like. Well, I couldn't wait.

I went to Wal-Mart to buy a cheap kit just to practice with and get the feel for creating my own lather, and chose an 8 dollar kit that came with hypo-allergenic soap, cheap boar brush, and a stone bowl that was actually pretty decent.

Needless to say, it was junk, but it still offered a fresh new shave for me as of then unexperienced in my life and I was diggin' it pretty hard.

Can't wait for the good stuff.

If it's Vanderhagen, it's not all that bad. I've used the bowl for years and the brush is ok after it breaks in. Not high-end but serviceable. I wouldn't use use the soap for SR shaving as it lacks some cushion, but it's adequate for safety razor shaving.

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

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.