Thread: Tip for newbies, given for anybody else

Originally Posted by Alraz

I have found that starting thick and adding water to obtain the consistency that I like is the best way. Also, good lather takes some time to form. The time is worth spending. Al raz.

Good advice above.

It took a while, but I got to the point where I could consistently produce lather that I called cake frosting. Not really that thick, but you get the drift. I thought I had “arrived”, seemed like I got better shaves with it. However, as I get better at this whole business, I am finding that a little wetter lather actually shaves better. If it’s flying all over the bathroom and running down my chest it’s too thin. But just a little thicker than runny seems to be the best. At least this week…..

The single item that has made the greatest difference for me is the brush. I had a cheap boar bristle brush to start with and always got a sloppy wet lather. My sister-in-law got me a nice badger bristle brush and it's all the difference in the world! The brush appears to not be holding any water at all, but the creamy lather that it produces is amazing.

What I really want to know is, who the hell went out and collected various animal hair 400 years ago to discover that badger hair was the one that works for this purpose?

Originally Posted by biffdebris

What I really want to know is, who the hell went out and collected various animal hair 400 years ago to discover that badger hair was the one that works for this purpose?

You and me both. Here badger,badger, nice kitty!

Badgers were the only animals left after prcupine, sheep, llama and horse were tried ;-). But seriously, I am sure that it was trial and error.

Al raz.

Mantic59 is a wetshaving guru . I love his "superlather." Its the same concept as the "uberlather" but instead of liquid glycerine I just saturate the soap with glycerine suds from a bar of pure glycerine soap, then go and mix my lather as usual. It works like a charm, and I get the most lubricated, richest lather I've ever gotten. Its like the lather is wet, and yet still rich and thick at the same time. Awesome

Originally Posted by biffdebris

The single item that has made the greatest difference for me is the brush.

Same here, I could only get a decent lather from the bristle brush by building it on the soap. My first try with a badger brush and I thought I was a pro, it was amazingly different.

I just assumed it was common practice back then to cuddle with wild animals and someone eventually made the mistake of cuddling with a badger. Bad for him but good for the future of wet shaving.

:uch, ouch, ouch, but soooo soft, ouch, ouch, ouch::

My 2 tips that are a given for anyone who has shaved with a straight for a while but may not be for a newb,

1. no matter how tight pins appear and no matter stiff the blade is opening and closing never put your finger or fingers anywher on the scale where it could close on them, that is when it will slam shut

2. when closing your straight good idea to follow the blade into the scale slowly and paying attention while doing so, your scales may have expanded or warped ever so slightly from the last time you used it and if you close it in a hurry or not paying attention it may catch the blade and damage it

cranky,

Been there, done #2. Ain't done #1... yet.

Yup, and I don't walk near holes of any size.