How do you do this?

**Prometheus** · 12-02-2008, 02:29 PM

Ok I have a brush, a coffee mug and shave soap. There are no directions on any of these items. I can figure out the brush and the mug, how exactly do you get the soap soft and lather? I am new to straight shaving and my first shave yesterday was with edge gel. Went ok but I think I would like to use the soap. I have an extremely tough beard and dry skin. Any recommendations as to soaps and technique would help. Am I supposed to put the puck in the mug and leave it and pour off the water or what. I hate being the complete tard at something that is probably you guys don't even think twice about. I just need some basic instruction.

**jnich67** · 12-02-2008, 02:53 PM

There are a few ways to go about it. There are some videos by Mantic on Youtube.

Here's what I do. I put a teaspoon or so of water on the soap to help soften the surface. At the same time, I soak my brush in a mug of warm water (not too hot). I let them sit while I strop.

Next, I dump off any sitting water from the soap. Then, I shake out any excess water from the brush - a couple of moderate flicks will do. Then I start swirling the brush over the soap - first one way, then the other. I try to load a lot of soap into the brush. I do this maybe 20-25 times depending on the brush and soap I'm using.

Now I start building the lather directly on my face that I have previously wet with plenty of hot water (I think this makes up for some of the water I've taken out of the brush). I work the lather until it is of a thick, pasty consistency. Now, I quickly swipe the brush under warm running water and continue working the lather on my face. The water will loosen the lather a bit. I add water until I get the consistency I like and the lather is usually nice and shiny with tiny bubbles that you can't really see (it looks like shaving cream - or lather if you will). I even out the lather, and then go to town!

Experiment and have fun with it. Lathering is one of my favorite parts of the shave.

Jordan

**Seraphim** · 12-02-2008, 03:08 PM

Give this a whirl, and welcome to SRP!

This is a great tutorial

And here's a video. It uses shave cream, but it gives you the idea of what you're supposed to do.

YouTube - How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather

**Bill S** · 12-02-2008, 03:18 PM

This is slightly OT, but if you don't have Lynn's DVD you should consider picking it up. It answers most of the basic questions that you might have. Someone posted that it is on sale at SRD, so maybe Santa might drop one in your stocking (assuming you have been good).

**dward** · 12-02-2008, 04:21 PM

Big +1 Bill!!

It is a great investment. It provides a wonderful starting point for new users (and some not too new, also). It covers most all aspects of straight razors...

**kahunamoose** · 12-04-2008, 04:15 AM

So many soaps, so little time. Only so often one can shave. God, I’ve gone over the edge. Some tips from my limited experience.

The mug – search around for one that is a bit larger circumference. This gives you some working room in the mug, and someplace for the cream to adhere to as you lather yourself into a tizzy. Real deep mugs will drive you crazy, you need to be able to reach the puck on the bottom. Finger ring/handle is good because you are going to lose your grip on this thing occasionally.

Melt the soap a bit so it will both fit and adhere into the bottom of the mug. (one time thing) That way it will not slosh around as you swirl the brush (you will lather much faster), and excess water will not be keeping your cream runny. Yes, this means a separate mug for each soap. Think of it as one of the cheap decadences in life.

Keep it all warm. Place your mug in a container of hot water. Frosting like lather will come much easier in these conditions. Be warned, do this and you will be one step closer to becoming one of those durned scuttle people.

Wetting down the soap puck for five minutes before you start swirling it all around will really, really help with the lather building – mentioned before and worth mentioning again. Soak your brush with hot water, shake it out once. Maybe twice but probably not.

Other than that, just jump in and pretend you are a kid again. Big, aggressive wrist generated strokes over the soap, frequently all around the sides of the mug.

**Tomcat** · 12-05-2008, 03:23 AM

Hellopeople!

Yes I am new, what is the pink substance shown in the video, is it a soap/cream or some type of additive to the mix?

**jnich67** · 12-05-2008, 04:44 AM

The first thing he uses is soap in a mug (its orange or pink - peach?

I can't tell). The pink/purple snurdle he has on the popsickle stick is cream - probably lavender, rose or violet flavor.

Jordan

**Tomcat** · 12-05-2008, 06:28 PM

So can you build a lather of similar consistency in the video with soap or is it a bit thinner?

Been working with a boar hair brush and some soap just wondering if that type of later is achiveable with a soap.

**nun2sharp** · 12-05-2008, 06:35 PM

@ tomcat, you may want to bump up to a badger brush when you get the chance, they produce a significantly better lather!

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