Thread: Some questions

I don't have the post I was thinking about, but this is a great step by step way to obtain a great lather.

1. Place brush in water and a layer of water on top of soap (not applicable for cream )

2. Let soak for 10 to 15 minutes (or while taking a shower)

3. Remove brush, dump water from mug and dump water off of soap. Squeeze the brush bristles well to get out the water, do NOT shake out the water as we want some to be left.

4. Load brush for 30 to 40 seconds on wetted soap. Apply a little pressure so the bristle spread a bit, but dont crush it down. (or apply your dab of cream to the brush).

5. Turn your sink faucet on so on a bare trickle is running.

6a. If face lathering, wet you face very well (after all this is wetshaving!)

7a. Pass you loaded brush under the trickle of water to get a little bit on it.

8a. If face lathering, procede to use circular motions on your face to start building a lather in your brush.

9a. Quickly run your brush under the water again and repeat step 8a.


6b. if bowl lathering, pass loaded brush through the trickle and start working the brush in a circular motion in the bowl.

7b. Do this for 30 seconds and then get a dab more water.

8b. repeat steps 6b and 7b as needed.

9b. I recommend runnig some of the lather through your fingers after each 30 second session so you get an idea of how it feels.

10b. If you are practicing this by sneaking into the bathroom and think you have it just right... add some more water and see what it feels like with to much water.




I know thats a lot of text, but it is a step by step procedure that really helps you learn how to work with the soap, water, and brush combo you have. Some soaps just don't work well for some people. For the life of me, I can't get Cella to face lather well for me

Time for some possible heresy. I am not against hot lather, or hot water. I just find that lukewarm and/or cold water is doing it for me as far as lathering and shaving goes. I soak my brush (Badger, Boar or Horse) in tap water cold while I shower. I usually use a continual uber lather (base of MWF and Maca Root), add a couple drops of glycerin and a bit of what ever I want to add (a little more Macca Root, Vit E, Tree Tea Oil, or whatever), shake out my brush, dump the cold water from the top of the MWF, swirl 30-40 seconds and go to town in the bowl achieving more than enough lather in about a minute, adding water as needed.

Shaving starts with a cold water splash followed with a small amount of Cremo or Kiss My Face finger rubbed all over. Damn best pre shave I've found. Then lather to my hearts content. Let it sit while stropping razor of choice for that day, re lather and enjoy (with or without music, coffee, a good brandy or a cigar if you are into that.)

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I will work on the lather more tonight.

Tried the SRD soap again, just took the dry brush, dipped in water, loaded with soap, put a little water in the mug and then lathered in the mug. I had much better lather results if I moved the brush back and forth halfway up the side instead of doing full circles in the mug. I then moved it to my wet face and worked it a little on the face as well. Shaved and it went better, less irritation, but still having problems at the jawbone down the neck. Cheeks are nice and smooth, it seems that some of my neck hairs grow facing diagonally back towards my ears. I tried a 45 degree stroke (edge to face, kinda like from the lower neck under the ears to the bottom of the middle of the chin from each side and that did the neck area better, so tomorrow I will experiment more with the jawbone and below area. I am going to try a diagonal stroke from the ear to the lower throat area to try to get the hairs below the jawbone.