Thread: The perils of a good lather!

Hi folks

I've been lurking around the site for a couple of months I think now, and wanted to share with other newcomers the potential dangers of having rich, creamy lather!

Normally, as my forum name indicates, my whiskers are tough to the point they'd make a chainsaw weep. I've been straight razor shaving for about two months, and had become accustomed to struggling with my stubble.

This morning however, I accidentally stumbled upon a method of lathering that was both amazingly slick and dangerous to boot! Usually I'd use a shaving mug to build lather and the hard water in my area makes any lather on my face disappear in a heartbeat. Today I was running late, abandoned the mug and chose to face lather instead. As normal my lather vanished so I applied a second coat - still nothing unusual about that, until I started to shave that is...

My first stroke seemed much easier than usual and, discounting this as a fluke, I proceeded to slide my Heljestrand down my face at the usual pace. For the first time, I'd got such a good lather that my whiskers were soft and the toe of my razor went straight into my jawline and left a lovely three-quarter inch gash!

Probably my best shave yet, despite the blood loss!

For those interested I was using D.R Harris' Arlington shave soap, an Edwin Jagger silver tip badger brush and plenty of hot water. Normally I'd be using a pre-shave oil, my aforementioned mug and numerous applications of lather. I guess it just goes to show - practice makes perfect!

Yep. I don't distinguish between face lathering or bowl lathering because I always have to apply the bowl lather to my face somehow. With something like Williams mug soap the lather can whither away but with repeated applications, always mindful of water the slickness is there. The layer of slick can build, it's not picturesque but it's there.

I find making lather in a bowl as opposed to face is totally different. If I'm not careful I can over work the lather in a bowl which gives a thin airy lather with less cushion and lube. Face lathing (for me) produces a thicker and better quality lather much easier. It's my preferred way of doing it.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I find making lather in a bowl as opposed to face is totally different. If I'm not careful I can over work the lather in a bowl which gives a thin airy lather with less cushion and lube. Face lathing (for me) produces a thicker and better quality lather much easier. It's my preferred way of doing it.

inteeresting comment, just face lathering here on occasion and I find i am less apt to properly hydrate enough during a face lather... maybe it's the brush size? big brushes i like... but i feel like I am hitting the sweet spot with a bowl...