Newbie with questions - Seattle Resources?

Hey what's up?

Wow, so I am still totally amazed at the amount of info and organization here. So a couple of months back I got an Art of Shaving Sandalwood kit for a gift. I have the brush and the cream and I have been practicing building lather, but I can't get a thick lather that seems 'slippery', if you will. I swear I have tried more water, less water, more cream....etc. Has anyone else had trouble getting this stuff to cooperate? I mean I shave with it and it works, but I can shave without using anything but water without my face getting angry. I guess I was just hoping for something more from the process. Suggestions? ...on a new product or a trick to this Art of Shaving cream.

Also, I am ready to buy my first razor and strop. One catch, I shave my head also. I plan on practicing on my face first, but will eventually shave my head too. Should this make a difference when I choose a razor? Should I be looking for a full hollow? square point?

Oh, and does anyone know of a local retailer here in Seattle?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Stiehl

I don't know of any Seattle retailer, but if you find one let me know. I haven't used the AOS cream yet, but to assist you in building lather I suggest hitting a bath and body works to pick yourself up a tube of C.O.Bigelow cream. It is inexpensive and one of the easiest to lather.
What is you total routine regarding lather? That would help.

-G

stiehl, i am also a head shaver, my only advise on which razor to choose is this, when you do start to use it on your head, make sure you dont nick around your ears, i use all different types i have a spike point, a round and a square, and the spike and the square will get you if not careful, especially behind the ears. i learned alot from jimbos video that he made, i am not certain where it is at but im sure someone on here has a link to it. +1 on what deigh said run and get yourself some c.o bigelows, you wont regret it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I don't know of any Seattle retailer, but if you find one let me know. I haven't used the AOS cream yet, but to assist you in building lather I suggest hitting a bath and body works to pick yourself up a tube of C.O.Bigelow cream. It is inexpensive and one of the easiest to lather.
What is you total routine regarding lather? That would help.

-G

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Thanks for the response. Routine? Well, I soak my little brush, then shake out any excess dripping water. I use a coffee cup to build in, and I usually put no more than a tablespoon of water in the cup. This usually makes a lot of suds, but it is a touch bubbly and too wet???? I can usually get it to be thicker with less water, but then it doesn't seem like it builds much. Some of the best lather I get comes from squishing it out of the brush. Is that what you mean by routine?

I will try this other cream you suggested. Is there an advantage to using cream rather than soap?

Thanks again,
Stiehl

Sweet, thanks. I will maybe look for a round at first. Are all of your razors full hollow or half or???? I read in a post that the full hollow are more useful for round faces. I thought that might be useful for a noggin.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wvloony

stiehl, i am also a head shaver, my only advise on which razor to choose is this, when you do start to use it on your head, make sure you dont nick around your ears, i use all different types i have a spike point, a round and a square, and the spike and the square will get you if not careful, especially behind the ears. i learned alot from jimbos video that he made, i am not certain where it is at but im sure someone on here has a link to it. +1 on what deigh said run and get yourself some c.o bigelows, you wont regret it.

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Sweet, thanks. I will maybe look for a round at first. Are all of your razors full hollow or half or???? I read in a post that the full hollow are more useful for round faces. I thought that might be useful for a noggin.

Is it a badger brush?
I think that you are using too much water. I would make sure that you shake out as much of the water that you can, then do not add water until you have spent some time creating lather. Only then can you tell if your lather is too dry and add more. Start with a few drops then relather, repeat as necessary. Unfortunately, I will not be on the westside this winter, but if you end up my way, please feel free to drop a PM and I will help whenever possible. I know of members in seattle, but they have been quiet lately, check the member map and see if any are willing to help you.
Cream can be easier to build a lather.

WV, good job on deducing the prefix to my username. Some languages are not instinctive to those who speak American english.

-G

Yeah it is a badger or at least AOS said it was. It is the little mini brush they have in their 4 piece starter kits. I'll mess around with some other soap though, the more reviews I can find for this stuff the more it seems like it is temperamental. Thanks again for the offer on the PM.