Thread: How rich should a lather be?

For me, I like it thick for my first pass, and progressively thinner for the 2nd and third. If it's drying out, don't be afraid to reapply.

Originally Posted by mahaney

What is the foam circle in the video? Does it do anything besides give you a way to wipe off the foam/wiskers?

J

I think it's just for wiping. I use a folded wash cloth placed on the bench edge. I like to wipe rather than wash the blade; it minimises water on the razor (I find I can actually keep it quite dry; apart from the actual blade of course; and cream is drier than water and easier to wipe off) and allows you to actually see the hairs (and/or blood) in the lather, which has a fulfilling (and/or depressing) effect.

I actually feel, while this guy's shaving ability is astonishing, that he has, by my standards, rather a thin lather.

The point above about the thinner (wetter?) lather for the second and third passes is a good one; I find a thinner lather for the second pass reduces the likelihood of the razor digging in when going ATG; or maybe it's just that I need to make the mix wetter as the lather has dried a little...Either way, I dip the tip of the brush in the water and re-mix...

This is starting to sound like one of those things that's really easy to do (once you 'get' it) but hard to explain; like tying shoelaces...And choosing a chocolate from the box of chocolates...

Originally Posted by mahaney

What is the foam circle in the video?

It's just a kitchen sponge he uses to wipe his blade off between strokes.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I actually feel, while this guy's shaving ability is astonishing, that he has, by my standards, rather a thin lather.

Chimensch posted that video to SRP a couple of years ago to mark his 30th anniversary shaving with a straight razor. Thin lather or not, he obviously knows what he is doing. ;-)

Okay just some things i have learnt from the last couple of shaves with better lather thanks to some of the advice received here.

I got a bigger deeper bowl than the small one i was using and loaded a bit more soap onto my brush. Then built a very nice lather with only the water i had left in the brush after a light shake, i found this was more than enough water to make a great lather with enough being produced for at least 3 passes probably 4.

I also warmed the bowl in hot water before building the lather and then whilst shaving, i kept the bowl afloat in the basin filled with warm water, making sure no extra water get in the bowl. I found that this kept the lather warm and stopped it from "deflating".

Hope this helps some other newbies out there too

My lather has to be so rich that it has friends that own nascar teams.

Hahah, down my way it would be AFL

Originally Posted by issimonete

Okay just some things i have learnt
......
I got a bigger deeper bowl
......
I found that this kept the lather warm and stopped it from "deflating".

Hope this helps some other newbies out there too

Good point hidden in this.

Yes, The bigger deluxe brushes like a larger lathering bowl.

Originally Posted by issimonete

The reason i ask the question of how rich a lather needs to be is because i have been watching videos on youtube about how to use a straight razor and the lather that they apply seems to be much thinner than the one i am creating and it appears so be "thicker" possibly more like a cream and i am wondering if my lather should look more like this?

The one I am creating appears much thicker as well. However, I've been playing with it and watched carefully for the results. Now I just make my lather the way it is comfortable to me and leaves my face without irritation.

it's personal,i like it thick but creamy.but another likes it wetter or dryer.
Experiment whit your lather.