Thread: Lather or water? Finer finish?

Know oil gives the finest finish. But have read some conflicting things. Seems to me from my little experience that lather gives finer finish than water. On coticule or slate. Am I wrong?

Lather would work like an oil. Many soaps and creams have glycerin or other types oils in it.

To muddy the waters a little further there is also honing solutions and glycerin products that will change the results too. Simply sticking with oil there are different finishes with different grades of oil too.

'IF' you want to have some fun and experiment, once you have finished your final perfect strokes on water, give a natural a spray of a window cleaner such as Windex and then have a few more laps.

I want to watch this one to see what comes up, I finish with honing oil and have been happy so no experimenting here.

Im happy with clean water, There are man ways to Rome.
So do what fit the best by your progress

I have tried oil, lather, dish soap, glycerin, and plain water. I haven't noticed a difference between them all except I like the feedback of oil, lather, glycerin, dish soap. Plain water works just as good in the end though. I think it depends on the stone and the hands honing too.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

'IF' you want to have some fun and experiment, once you have finished your final perfect strokes on water, give a natural a spray of a window cleaner such as Windex and then have a few more laps.

I'm intrigued by this and will give it a try next time I refresh a razor. If you could elaborate on your results doing this I would like to hear how it's worked for you.

Thanks!

Marty E.

The only stone/hone I heard about and was told to use lather on is a Frank Swaty Barber's Hone and only lather from a soap with tallow.

I thing that the light presure is the only factor that maters in the finishing .
The lighter the better , lather or lubes , gives a little more , but the right and light strokes and circles , are the key for me .