Thread: What can I learn from soap/cream on the blade?

What can I learn from looking at the soap on a blade while shaving? I'm assuming that the main thing would be an even coat tells me I'm keeping an even edge on my face, and a little means not so even. But what else can I see and learn from soap on the blade?

Originally Posted by DS86

What can I learn from looking at the soap on a blade while shaving? I'm assuming that the main thing would be an even coat tells me I'm keeping an even edge on my face, and a little means not so even. But what else can I see and learn from soap on the blade?

Interesting question and looking forward to seeing what others think...

I have found that how well or poorly I have done hydrating the lather is indicated by how easily the lather rinses from the blade (applies to DE's & SE's as well). If the lather sticks to the blade when rinsing, I have created a rather thick, under-hydrated lather...

If I find the lather on the dry side when rinsing after the first pass, I simply add some water to the brush (Face lather'r here) when applying the next lather. Not too much though, as since I rinse my face between passes, residual water on my face further hydrates the lather.

That's all I've got!

Awesome. I'll keep this in mind for future shaves!

+1 on what Mike said. Sometimes I can shave 1 side of my face and keep all the lather on the blade. Other times it's dripping off the blade onto my chest. To much water :<0)

Okay, so it sounds like I may not be getting quite enough water in the lather. I'll try a little more water, and/or lather in the bowl a bit longer.

For me, if the lather looks "shiny" then I have the correct amount of water.
If the lather looks "pebbly" then I need more water.

Like 10pups, I can do one side without clearing the blade on occasion but not always. IMO, the soap, water content, brush, amount of lather prep, etc. determine how much lather is on the face.

You can always add more soap or more water. If the lather just does not come to your expectations, rinse it off and start over. No shame in that. (been there)

Well often times the first signs that I have sliced off a mole, pimple, or otherwise cut myself is the blood in the lather.

Originally Posted by Steel

Well often times the first signs that I have sliced off a mole, pimple, or otherwise cut myself is the blood in the lather.

lol

Pinklather has the best name on this forum

If the lather sticks to the blade and does not rinse off easily, obviously it is too dry. I think shavers get too hung up in making a big thick rich lather. In my opinion, a wet lather does a much better job. I don't care if my lather does not look pretty just so it shaves at it's best potential and the wetter the better for me. I don't want it running down my face but darned near it

To back up what's already been said here: dry lather will not wash off easily. When shaving with straights, I find that having a lather that tends to be wetter is useful. I take this to be the case because you don't need as much cushion when using straights, you need glide. Of course, it shouldn't drip off the blade either.