Thread: Lather experiment.

I myself am learning and experimenting with lathering in diff ways, I did the face lathering and it worked pretty well and got a good lather. I have a big mug I like and it takes a bit more time so, but in good time I have a good lather though I am in the stage of finding that "Sweet Spot" of wet and dry the perfect lather. Been swaying in between the two dry or wet, centering in on that middle ground.

Haven't tried hand lathering as it seems that one would have to create lather for each pass, for me when I shave I like to take time and enjoy everything as I've never really kicked back and actually liked shaving so.

Trial and error, just another thing to learn on the way.

I have yet to try face lathering. Do you load the brush between each pass?

Originally Posted by con16721

Any ideas on where I might find one of those?

I obtained a Suribachi Japanese Grinding Bowl. Works great and breaks in your brush nice and quick. You can find them at most asian markets.

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--Shoki

Comming from someone who had also started out with the Van Der Hagen Kit with Boar Brush and Bowl.......Get a different Brush.

For about 3-4 months or so, I was using the brush and had a Hard time getting a good lather...Once I got a new Brush (I got a badger brush from Rudy Vey). To compare the difference.....If you could imagine the heavens opening up and hearing the Angels singing above.....Yeah, the new brush was that much better.


As for getting a bowl with some ridges in it, I found some bowls at Target (I believe they are "Thomas O'Brien"), they have some slight ridges in it and they're reletively small bowls to easily fit in the hand.

I use the Classic Shaving Mug Soap from classicshaving.com, with the Dark Wood Covered Shave Bowl, and Merkur Silvertip Shave Brush, Polished, both of which are also from www.classicshaving.com. I find that it is easier to build lather on my face. I get my brush wet with very warm/hot water, then allow (not force) the excess water to drip from the brush. I load the brush for about 20-30 seconds in my bowl, then begin to lather my face. It takes me about 2 minutes to really get a good lather on my face this way, but I've never had a problem. Obviously, this is just a suggestion, and what has worked for me. You will need to find the method that works best for you.

Today I tried lathering on my face. I also got a new Frank Shaving Brush off of ebay. Man, was that thing luxurious on the face. I'm not sure how long I simply sat there feeling the soft badger on my face!

Anyways, I tried face lathering and found that the lather was exceptionally rich this time around, and I was even able to use the lather that was on the brush for two more passes! Face lathering was really enjoyable!

Now I am just a novice at this, I ordered The Col Conk almond soap, and VintageBlade LLC sandalwook cream. Both are awesome! Well I was screwin around disapointed That I had to pick between the two. so I put a dab of cream on the soap and went to town with my soaked brush. By far best lather Ive made yet! Anyone with more experiance willing to try it and give feedback???

I find bowl lathering better with a dead flat surface - I bowl lather in a Ye Olde' crystal ash tray (creates a really good suction for the brush) and stiff brush - as opposed to ridged or corrugated surfaces.

I lather on my face with any really soft brush and mitchells wool fat usually works pretty well.

I usually face lather as I like massaging my face with the bristles.

I suggest using cream to begin with, as soap can be a bit trickier. Cream is good as you can use the same measured amount every time, and work from there to find how much water is required to mix up a good lather. I use Speick shaving cream and recommend it very highly! I do find it takes a few minutes of mixing to work up a lather that'll form peaks.

If you can get a halfway decent lather with that brush, all the more power to you. I had that kit and the soap isn't bad (isn't great, but works well enough till you want something different). That brush is crap or at least darn close to it. I'm sure worse could be had off of ebay if you tried... Anyway, spend another $12 on an Omega if you're on a budget. They're great. If you're not on a tighter budget the sky is the limit with the brushes. I switched brushes and immediately had more luck building a consistent lather. I still use the bowl and occasionally the VDH soap. If you can get your hands on some cream from The Real Shaving Co. (my local rite aid has it for about $5 a tube) that stuff lathers really well and has some good cushion. It will lather decently with the VDH brush but a simple brush switch will make you feel like a latherin' pro.