Castle Forbes Shaving Cream lather (stupid question contained within)

Hi all,

I have been using AoS shaving creams (the one that come in a tub) for the better part of 5 years or so. I had been using them with my old cartridge. Around Christmas time, I made the leap to shaving with a straght razor and love it and have not looked back.

About a month or so ago I went to a local cutlery shop that is noted for selling and honig razors and high end shaving supplies. I was very willing to be talked into trying some new shaving creams. I fell in love with the smell and feel of both the mint and sandle wood Castle Forbes shaving creams (I also purchased a new brush to upgrade from the AoS temporary brush I had been using previously). I humble asked the associate how I should use the brush to get a lather and apply the newly purchased shaving cream. I was told to use my finger, place a little on my right and left cheeks and chin and used the brush to lather and spread..

Now I know that is probably incorrect, but I have not had the courage to ask the pantheon of shavers here this dumb question...Should I be using a mug to get the later with this product and if so, how much should be put in the mug?

Thanks in advance!!!
Chris

I get a small amount on my finger and put it on the brush and work up the later in a bowl. Some people like face lathering, I am not one of them unless I am trying to save some time.

I suppose my method is sort of a hybrid. I put a small amount of cream on the brush and get the lather started in a heated scuttle with a fairly wet brush. Once the cream has had a chance to warm slightly I start making the lather in the scuttle (a bowl or mug works fine if you don't have a scuttle) and then switch to finishing the lather by working it into my whiskers with the brush. This gets my face well hydrated and yields a good lather for the first pass.

After the initial lathering I put the brush back in the scuttle, give it a few swirls, and I have plenty of great, warm lather to use for the next pass.

BTW, I think Castle Forbes is one of the best creams available, although it's usually Lime for me.

It's whatever works for you, really. If the "finger dab" technique works go for it. Some load CF directly in the tub, others use a scooper (or a snurdler, if you like ;)), just as some will face lather while others will use a bowl. As you can see there is no "correct" way :)

I will tell you that due to the thickness of CF it doesn't take much, a dab about the size of an almond should provide plenty of lather for a full 3 pass+ shave. And once you try it you'll be hooked lol

Yea, I always say a pea sized dollup is enough to shave a platoon.

I usually just put in on the brush and build it on my face.

I have tried it different ways.

For face lathering, I have loaded the brush in the tub, but find that is not consistent. Some times it load too much others too little.

The best way for me, is to put a small amount of ( almond size) into a warm scuttle and start working the lather with a medium wet brush, where I have to add some water to make it foamy and slick.

The way the store clerk told you, would work also. However, I haven't tried that method yet. But I can see how it could work for face lathering.

Double O

I personally use a mug because face lathering doesn't make sense to me. It would seem to me though, that face lathering would be allot harder on the brush.. Like I said, I don't do it, so I could be wrong. Like others have said, try both and see what you like. Thats what its all about anyway right!

A funny line I remember reading once on another forum "face lathering is for peasants and sailors" :)

I load in the tub. CF always seems to waxy for me to build from a dollop.

Lather made in a scuttle will stay warm and moist for a 3 pass shave and still leave lots of lather to be washed away

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ryanjewell

A funny line I remember reading once on another forum "face lathering is for peasants and sailors" :)

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HEY! I resemble that remark! :p

I didn't find that it lathered well with my water( or my style?) . I have to use a good sized amount to work up a good head of lather. 2bits worth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Johnus

I didn't find that it lathered well with my water( or my style?) . I have to use a good sized amount to work up a good head of lather. 2bits worth.

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that could be not enough water or too much i find that cf lathers fine with pretty much any water, hard, soft, warm or cold... it does not like real hot water or maybe it is my technique. normally i use soaps though creams are for sailors and peasants! :soapbox:

enjoy,
jim

Castle Forbes is one of the best. I used it last night, Lavender. Caraceni, Xpec, Castle Forbes, and Truefitt and Hill are really top of line shave creams imho. Great creams. I really like CF Lime.

There's lot's of ways to do it. I've tired lot's of different methods and devices over the years, and nothing seems to beat a large heated scuttle. I like to pre heat mine, the inside chamber and the bowl itself with hot tap water before I get started. My scuttle hold 4 cups of water, so I microwave 4 cups of water for 3 mins, dump out the hot tap water from the scuttle into my sink, and add the heated microwave water to the scuttle.

If I'm using cream, I always smear a snurdle in the bottom of the scuttle, You don't need much with CF, more than an M and M size and your wasting it. I normally have a tablespoon or so of hot water left from filling the scuttle ( I use a measuring cup, 4cup) , so I pour it on top of the cream, It helps to melt it. CF is a dense cream, but between the hot water and the scuttle heat it liquifies. While that's going on, I'm placing a hot towel on my face to help soften my beard, pre shave routine. My sink is normally full of hot water.

I may do the hot towel on my face 2x, then apply pre shave oil. By that time, the cream has melted, my beard is pre treated, and I'm ready to build lather. Even that small amount of cream, I have lather spilling over the sides of the scuttle, and no residue in the bottom.