Thread: Hints for Shaving, from the Sacramento Union 1890.

Originally Posted by Speedster

I'm not so sure about the part where you put your brush away with lather still on it. Hmmm.

Also the part where it states to never use warm water.

Days three and four. Still no major differences except for the lather coming together a bit quicker.

Two observations I made are first that by hanging my brush up the hair is drying out completely. The hairs do have a bit of a gummy feel to them though.

The second is that in contrast to my earlier comment about this not saving lather I feel this would actually save lather and that you probably at the end of a puck/shave stick could get a shave out of what soap is in the brush.

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

Also the part where it states to never use warm water.

Interestingly, you find that many members use cold water for shaving.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/pre-s...pt-1869-a.html

Very true Martin. Now that I am leaving the lather on the brush this article pretty much describes exactly how I shave everyday. Other then putting the razor under my arm and I typically don't have a shirt on so no breast pocket ether.

Originally Posted by Castel33

Days three and four. Still no major differences except for the lather coming together a bit quicker.

Two observations I made are first that by hanging my brush up the hair is drying out completely. The hairs do have a bit of a gummy feel to them though.

The second is that in contrast to my earlier comment about this not saving lather I feel this would actually save lather and that you probably at the end of a puck/shave stick could get a shave out of what soap is in the brush.

My results pretty much dovetail yours. I know I can whip up lather is no time flat! I have a new respect for Williams soap now, geez, this stuff is pretty darn good! I'll be on the road for the weekend, leaving tomorrow, so this morning's shave was probably the last I'll be able to consider a controlled experiment shave. I guess the only question I would have would be the long term leaving soap in the brush's effect on the brush itself. Frankly though, I can't see any ill effects nor would I expect any. I tried to go about this with a late 1800's mindset, such that, they probably didn't have the three different soaps and the three different creams that I use. I would imagine, the average guy bought a puck of soap and used it till he needed another one. So, other than the, "Oh, I feel like using Proraso today, or should it be Tabac" factor, leaving soap on the brush works great! You, Castel33, mentioned that you reckoned it would actually save you soap, I couldn't agree more! When I start out making lather, it's like I was just re-whipping some up an hour after shaving and not a day, or, as I ended up doing; two days later. If I wasn't spoiled by having more than one soap at my disposal, I'd just drop the brush into the mug and leave it there, seems to work great.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Interestingly, you find that many members use cold water for shaving.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/pre-s...pt-1869-a.html

Thanks for posting, although I noticed that this article also states that too much lather should not be applied to the face, only a thin layer, while the Sacramento Union article says the more lather the better. I guess nothing is written in stone, experience is the best teacher.

Leaving the Lather on the brush was along the same idea that was used back then for Leavening Bread. You save a little of the dough from the last batch to start the new bread.
Like you away left a little water so you could prime the pump for the next time.