useing lather as a pre shave preperation

I have tried to find the thread where I originally found something like this mentioned but I have been experimenting. I heat water for coffee in a kettle and after it cools from the boil for a bit I fill my scuttle before bathing. and soak the brush. The soap in my scuttle is Col. Conk lime glycerin soap and it lathers fairly well when its warmed up.
-I lather my face with the Col. Conk soap and use whats left in my brush and make uberlather with a snurdle TOBSt cream in a bowl
-Hot towel on the face or just a hot water splash and then re-lather from the bowl
Seems to help get all the whiskers standing up. Has anyone else done something similar?
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My prep is pretty much always massaging some lather into my beard for a minute or two before I start shaving, works very good for me.

I know all the Proraso fans will be upset with me because although expensive it seems to be everyones favorite. I like Proraso pre-shave too. However, Barbasol has more stearic acid (beard busting softener) than just about anything you can buy for less than one dollar at Wal-Mart. And one can lasts a year. I thin layer is what I use right after my shower while preparing my brush, cream and stropping the straight. About ten minutes later I wash it off and go for it. The whiskers can't get much softer. The more time you leave it on the better.

I usually lather up and let the lather sit on my face while I strop and do a few other things.

Head shave in the shower,lather head and face,shave head,rinse,dry,go to sink,relather face, shave.
Works for me.

When I was growing up the barbers used to apply lather, then wrap a hot wet towel for a couple of minutes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gammaray

I know all the Proraso fans will be upset with me because although expensive it seems to be everyones favorite. I like Proraso pre-shave too. However, Barbasol has more stearic acid (beard busting softener) than just about anything you can buy for less than one dollar at Wal-Mart. And one can lasts a year. I thin layer is what I use right after my shower while preparing my brush, cream and stropping the straight. About ten minutes later I wash it off and go for it. The whiskers can't get much softer. The more time you leave it on the better.

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This is really an inexpensive option too!

I agree. You can use lather as a beard prep. I use it occasionally, but like the menthol in my Proraso or Vitos pre-post shave cream.

The Robeson Straight Razor Co. recommended the lather option--along w/ bay rum--to prepare the beard for shaving in the early 20th century in their promotional literature.

Disatisfying soaps or cream can be utilized as body soap (maybe just the soaps), combining with other sub-par products (not an uberlather but a surviceable hybrid), or as beard-prep softeners. I could soap up my hands with hand soap for the shave prep but if I've got the soaked brush and lathering bowl out already...

This is a little off topic, but I find that applying regular hair conditioner right before I get out of the shower works nicely.

I've been hearing about this hair conditioner trick a lot around here lately. Is it rinsed out before leaving the shower or left on and is there a consensus about which is better?

I have experimented with using hair conditioners during and post shower. There are several types of hair conditioners. The detangler makes the beard hairs fairly slippery and may not be of much benefit to shaving. However, the moisturizers probably soften the beard and could be rinsed or left on the face for maximum effect. I still do it occasionally when my wife is not looking. Enjoy.

I have tried both rinsing it off and leaving it on, didn't notice much difference. It doesn't seem to interfere with my lather if I leave it on, so lately that's what I've been doing just to save some time. Of course, different conditioners may interact differently with your soap/cream of choice.

Being a barber, I use a hot towel for a couple of minutes, then i apply Proraso cream and hot lather, I then re-apply hot towel and then re-lather. Working with different types of facial hair, skin types etc.. this is the best way I have found to prep customers for a consistent shave.

I wash my face, hot water, rinse, cold water rinse, lots' of Bay Rum after shave let it soak in, lather up with, right now, Cella Shaving Cream, work in with my fingers, strop my razor and shave, it has been working for me for a while that way, I"ll probably find some other method to experiment with in the near futur.


Have a great shave on me!!!

tinkersd or SRP Ta!

Lately I have been using the lucky tiger vanishing cream...you can get a huge 12 oz tub on the bay for 8 bucks, very close to the proraso pre/post....i rub that on first then lather, strop and all that other stuff....seems to work well

I use black soap in the shower, lather then strop then shave.
Seems to work well enough

Gammarary,
After reading you Barbasol pre-shave suggestion, I thought I would give it try; and real glad I did.
I have been searching to a better pre-shave option to prepare my beard for the straight razor. While I am still new, I can tell a good shave from a great one, and by changing only one element - adding Barbarsol, my shave was simple outstanding - smooth and clean with no bad after effects.
Thanks for the input.
Andy

AndyPic,

Delighted to hear you had a good experience.

Here is one more secret for you.

After rinsing the Barbasol off try about a quarter size of glycerin in the palm and apply generously to your face just before applying your favorite soap, cream or uberlather.

I find the glycerin to work as well as oil without the mess because glycerin is water soluble.

I do it on every pass with my SR when I have the time for a real luxury shave.

Have fun.

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