Thread: Lather Shortcut:

Update:

Okay, so after experimenting with both Williams' and some Italian soap, I got myself some German-made shaving cream in the tube. I've been applying it with the brush, and I think this is the way to go. I prefer it to the canned stuff.

Now I find myself wanting a better brush.... which I will undoubtedly get soon.

I prefer the Trumpers and Taylor creams best. I used to use C&E, but found the Trumpers and Taylors to be much better at holding water/moisture.

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

Nowadays I'm not even bothering to whip up a lather with the brush and shaving soap, but simply using for the canned aresol shaving cream.

I find that it's faster, less messy and more effective than the lather I get from soap, which tends to disolve as it rests on my face.

Is anyone with me on this, or are you all purists who use the brush 'n' mug?

Or does anyone switch back and forth between the two methods?

You know, that "Edge" gel type crap isn't all that bad. I've used it before when I was in a bind. Normally, when I travel, I use the Palmolive in a tube (getting harder and harder to find) and a brush.

And even though I use it myself, the shaving soap and brush is over rated as far as I'm concerned. I see a lot of people advising newbies that they need to buy the whole brush-mug-soap set-up, and it's really just an extra expense that scares off people who want to try shaving with a real razor. Barbers use a hot lather machine, that's the way to go. Maybe I'll buy one of those next.

Joe, I was thinking about a hot lather machine myself, but was warned about buying one of the cheap ones due to quality problems. Now I've noticed on the Classic Shaving website that they're going to quit selling the Campbell Lather King (the one a lot of barbers use) because of problems with them. The Lather Kings are also very expensive. I wonder what the barbers are using now if they have problems with the LK?

Smokey

Originally Posted by joesixpack

You know, that "Edge" gel type crap isn't all that bad. I've used it before when I was in a bind. Normally, when I travel, I use the Palmolive in a tube (getting harder and harder to find) and a brush.

And even though I use it myself, the shaving soap and brush is over rated as far as I'm concerned. I see a lot of people advising newbies that they need to buy the whole brush-mug-soap set-up, and it's really just an extra expense that scares off people who want to try shaving with a real razor. Barbers use a hot lather machine, that's the way to go. Maybe I'll buy one of those next.

I agree, but not without qualification. The soap cakes, in my view, don't get the creamy, rich lather of the 3T's or C&E (I'm addicted to Sienna). That stuff is the best...way better than a soap cake. The canned gels never provided anywhere near as good a shave as the english creams (mentioned earlier). I'm with you on the lather machine, man. That's the best part of going to my barber!

Marciaga,

You can get a wonderful, thick, lubricating lather with a soap. It just takes time to learn the soap/water ratio, and a bit more time "whipping up" the lather. You just need to invest the time and effort, and you will be glad that you did!

RT

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

Marciaga,

You can get a wonderful, thick, lubricating lather with a soap. It just takes time to learn the soap/water ratio, and a bit more time "whipping up" the lather. You just need to invest the time and effort, and you will be glad that you did!

RT

The only cake I was able to get a good lather out of was Ray's classic. I tried Surrey's (which was a scent I disliked), Williams, Colgate (I think the latter 2 are virtually the same), Col Conk (better, but not as good as Ray's). Which soaps do you like?

Mark

Mark,

I like T&H, Taylor's Lavender, QED's soaps and I just picked up Cade by L'Occitane. For me, the trick is to really work the soap with the brush, and then move to a bowl with about a teaspoon of water in it. I prefer to use my smaller brushes, seems like I can work more of the soap into the brush. I like Ray's soaps, but I don't get the same lather with them as I do with others. You might pick up a cake of Williams soap for a buck, and practice with it. If you can build good lather with it, you can build it with any good soap. Oh, and I also like Williams!

RT

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

I mean, if the brush method gave me a better lather, then sure, I'd take the extra few moments to do it that way; but honestly, I don't think you can get much creamier than the stuff you get in the can.

I still use the can when I'm short of time, but I find I get a much better shave than with brush lather. If you're not getting a good lather with soap, why not try some of the English creams. The canned stuff has a lot of body, but it doesn't really wet the beard like brush lather. It also dries faster.

I find that the key to getting a good lather from soaps, like the less expensive types like Williams, is to make sure you have a well hydrated face. Even after getting out of the hot shower, the face dries fairly quickly. Using the hot towel on the face for 1-2 minutes write before applying lather really helps to keep the lather from drying too quickly.

As far as the can stuff. I still have a can or two burried in the back of the cabinet. Haven't used it at all since I started using soaps and creams. I'll use a brushless cream like Molle before returning to the can. That said, the can stuff works well enough for a quick shave, but just not as enjoyable as the fine scented creams.

The brush does help to lift the beard and help the lather penetrate, which is something the can stuff using your hand can never really do as well IMO.