Thread: Lathering Issues

That's a good, tangible way to test your lather. If the lather wasn't able to pass the 1 inch test, what are the indicators of likely causes?

I have a question. Do you have to use a cream in addition to a soap to get good lather? Every posted video that get's offered up as a guide to newbies to make lather has someone using cream or a combination of cream/soap/glycerin. I have yet to see a video with someone using only a soap.

So I am wondering if my lather issues are because I'm using only a soap. Am I expecting too much from just soap alone?

Originally Posted by Raithen

So I am wondering if my lather issues are because I'm using only a soap. Am I expecting too much from just soap alone?

Indeed. The only true way to shaving enlightenment is with a Filarmonica honed on a combination of 15 hones (mix of synthetics and naturals), stropped with a progression of hanging strops and paddles, a mix of at least 3 soaps, creams, and glycerin - and don't forget a brush progression!

Joking aside, soap will do nicely. Not a video but a photo tutorial, but it should help: Making basic soap lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Keep in mind that, like everything else in this hobby, it takes time, patience, and experience. That said, there is a reason why I at least keep recommending Castle Forbes to beginners - easy instant lather.

Good luck,
Robin

Making Ãœberlather - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The Wiki Article a great source of fast info on specific items BUT where it is lacking is the Q&A that goes on in the real thread here

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...berlather.html

The back and forth banter that brings out the details just like this thread is doing

See at post #20 is where the real info is hidden


http://straightrazorpalace.com/209205-post20.html


This is why you always see me say the same thing over and over "Look at the Wiki then follow the links back to the original threads as many questions are asked and answered".,..

Also U-tube google shave lather mantic safe method

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Indeed. The only true way to shaving enlightenment is with a Filarmonica honed on a combination of 15 hones (mix of synthetics and naturals), stropped with a progression of hanging strops and paddles, a mix of at least 3 soaps, creams, and glycerin - and don't forget a brush progression!

Joking aside, soap will do nicely. Not a video but a photo tutorial, but it should help: Making basic soap lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki. Keep in mind that, like everything else in this hobby, it takes time, patience, and experience. That said, there is a reason why I at least keep recommending Castle Forbes to beginners - easy instant lather.

Good luck,
Robin

I agree.
To me überlather seems like just another way to overcomplicate shaving. I think newbies just need to find a good soap or cream they like and learn to use it.

Well, yesterday my lather passed the 1 inch stretch test pretty well. It even applied fairly well and evenly. However, I still ran into a little bit of it drying into a crust on my face after it had been out for, say, 7 minutes. The easy solution, I suppose, would be to just lather up part of my face at a time and shave that before moving on, but it's not the most convenient concept. Could some of it be from me being at high altitude in a low-moisture environment?

Originally Posted by wolfcobra

Well, yesterday my lather passed the 1 inch stretch test pretty well. It even applied fairly well and evenly. However, I still ran into a little bit of it drying into a crust on my face after it had been out for, say, 7 minutes. The easy solution, I suppose, would be to just lather up part of my face at a time and shave that before moving on, but it's not the most convenient concept. Could some of it be from me being at high altitude in a low-moisture environment?

To me, it still sounds like the lather is just a tad low in water. I live in CO and I seldom have issues with lather out here. When I lather I tend to add just a little, little, bit more of water and whip up my lather for about 3-5 minutes. For me, the lathering up in a bowl is like a zen for my day.

On a side note, I read you are at the AFA in the Springs. My work has requested I attend a graduation for a client down there but I will find out around next week if I will be there around the 19th. If I do, and our schedules line up, I can swing by afterward with some of my creams and give ya some guidance. If you would like, that is.

That sounds like an appealing offer. I'll have to see what my schedule will produce, but it would be really nice if our free time did line up.

I'm going to try to get some glycerin tomorrow and see if I can't make a better lather, and maybe in the process, manage to improve the time that my cream remains useful. I'll let you know how it works out.

A trick is to practice.

Snag a $1.98 puck of Williams and practice.
Add too little water, add too much... soak the
puck, don't...just play. I find the descriptions
confusing and for two bucks I can play for days.

If you have an expensive brush set it aside
and snag a $8.00 CVS boar brush. Work the heck
out of it -- push it too hard, lather too lightly
soak it, forget to soak it... abuse it even.

Lather on your hand, in a cup, on your face even.

While shaving -- lather often keeping your face wet
all lather dries eventually so when it does just work
some more on your face.

One last tip when you start to work your shave lather first wet your
face with cool clear water maybe a couple of times.
It can take a couple minutes to build your lather so take
advantage of clear water to soften your beard.