Lather vs. Lather

Is it really possible that there is this much difference in shaves between different lathering agents? Yesterday I shaved with the same razor I used this morning. Yesterday's shave was lathered with Col. Conks Amber soap and was not unlike pulling rusty nails out of an oak plank. Today's shave (with the same razor, remember), but with Taylors of Old Bond St. Almond cream, was smooooth, comfortable, and close. Better yet, I had no need to rush to the ER for a hasty tranfusion: ie, no slices, no nicks, no little red spots.

With one day of separation, I wouldn't think my technique would have changed remarkably. The razor was the same; the strop was the same - with the same number of passes. Could the remarkable difference be simply due to the change in lathers?:shrug:

:thinking: Bruce

Lots of variables where lather is concerned. I find glycerin soaps to be more slick but offer less cushion. Creams tend to be a little less slick and but offer more cushion. Triple milled soaps fall somewhere between the two.

Then there's lather making technique. More water impacts how thick and slick the lather will be. I find soaps more tempramental than creams, but they are also my favourite shaves when I get it right.

I've had vastly different shaves with exactly the same stuff, with the only variable being how I've made my lather.

I had another go with the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap this morning and got a lousy dry, foamy lather. I shaved anyway and it was the only bad shave I've ever had with my DD Special No. 1. I figure the lousy lather was the problem. :shrug:

Brian is right on - depending on my lather with the same stuff (and same razor) I can get different results.

But there is also something else - sometimes razors feel harsh the first couple of shaves after honing. SO this may explain the difference, if you honed the razor recently

Cheers
Ivo

+1 Lather can make all the difference... whether with a str8 or DE.

- Ken -

Agreed, Lather can make all the difference. I happen not to like glycerin soap, etc,etc. Yes again, part of the fun of wet shaving is finding what works for you.

Phil

I don't think it was the lather. Try again tomorrow with the Amber soap and then you'll know. I bet the third shave is pretty good even with the Amber.

of course you know the aborigonal tribe of wetshavers who have since migrated around the world have over 200 words for lather

just a few are:

Thick (when there is a lack of water)
Soupy (when there is an abudance of water)
Bubble foam (when not enought water is used, the lather dries and is whispy like bubble bath foam)
Lather
LATHer
LathER
Sludge
Slime
Axle Grease

SS

:D

I think I may be in the sludge phase.

Bruce

To me the job of soap is to lubricate the skin first and foremost, everything else is just sauce for the goose. You could shave with water and get a good result as long as you make sure your face stays very wet.(try it as an experiment).

Creams are pre-made so its easy to get perfect lather. Soaps have more variables depending on the formulations and your skill. If you use creams with success but have trouble with soaps and you use a quality product probably you lather making skill needs honing.

I have noticed the same thing.
I have used hard soaps for a long time, and the shave was OK.
But recently I too switched to TOB cream and the shave is just sooo much better.

Maybe I should be able to achieve the same with perfect lather, but my lather whipping skills are probably not yet up to snuff.

Creams are easier for me to whip up quickly but I can get a great shave with some lovely smelling Mama Bear glycerine soap, too.
Takes some practice, though.