Thread: Getting a good shave from a good pre-shave...

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

Yeah Bob. My old barber always just used a regular can of Barbasol into something that warmed it up a bit and then used a brush to apply it to the face then put a hot towel over that, let it sit for a few minutes, then took it off and shaved. It was always a darn close shove and left my face very smooth, but I assume alot of that was from his 35+ years of using a straight.

Yea, I guess it must have been all that 35+ years of experience straight shaving that did the trick. That sure is a new one on me and being a beginner myself I would not care to try it. I can vaguely recall barbers around here using hot lather machines and applying the foam/lather by hand. You learn something new everyday around here.

Bob

I used to apply it that way when I was shaving with a DE. I dont know if there was any difference applying it with a brush from applying it by hand. I honestly couldnt tell any difference in the shave. But I didnt do a hot towel between applying the shaving cream and actually shaving so I dont know.

Well, I never had much love for the canned stuff and haven't used it for many, maybe 20, years nor have I ever used the hot towel either. I don't imagine that applying canned lather by hand or brush would make much of a difference though. If it works you can't argue success. Personally, I'll stick with a brush and soap/cream as I have had better luck with that method.

Bob

See my thing with the soap is the nostalgia of it. I remember seeing my grandpa use a soap puck and thats why I wanted to get into using them now. Maybe thats a weird reason, but its my main reason for learning that route.

Nothing wrong with nostalgia, I use my father in laws old straight and doing so brings back fond memories. You never know too, you may enjoy the results of using a puck of soap even better once you get your technique down pat.

Bob

I use the Williams and Conk occasionally too, here's what I've found.

1. Soak the puck and brush in hot tap water while showering.
2. Give the brush a few shakes (2-3) to get excess water out.
3. Drain water from puck and swirl the brush (don't press to hard, just enough to make firm contact).
4. Keep swirling until you're making lather in the bowl/mug the soap is in...then keep at it for another 20 seconds or so.
5. Wet face with hot water and start making lather on your face. About a minute or so.
6. You can gradually add water by dipping the "tips" of the bristles in the hot water the brush was soaking in.

I face lather mostly and find if I load the brush up really well in the mug, the hot water on my face mixing with the loaded up brush makes a good ratio for me. If its a bit too much soap, I dip the tips of the brush in the hot water and continue working the lather into my face. Trial and error really, but you should be able to use any of those soaps mentioned with success after some practice.

Remember, you don't have to shave to practice making lather

Cheers!

Awesome Zero, thanks! Thats actually going to be really helpful! I would much rather face lather instead of lathering on my palm before shaving. I'm going to have to try that out.