Lather on backside of blade for lube

I didn't see this mentioned in a quick search I did so here's an obersvation I've recently made. I was in the barber shop recently for a hair cut. These guys use a straight razor for finish work. I noticed that they put a dollop of lather on their palm to put on what would be the back side of the blade, the side that winds up being against the skin; I've been going to the same barber for years and this is the first time I really paid attention to what they were doing on other customers. I was to shy to ask why, so the next time I shaved with a straight I tried it and found that it really did help the blade move along, there seemed to be less drag. I am wondering if anyone else does this or if some folks don't clean the blade off leaving the lather on it and have found out the same thing. What do you all think? If this has been brought up before sorry and if so could a link be pointed to the thread please.

Garrett

Garrett,

I haven't seen this discussed before, but you're right, it does. When I started out, I was having trouble with the blade skipping on me. I would allow lather to remain on the blade to help it glide better. It works.

Haven't done it as much lately, but maybe tomorrow I'll give it a shot...

Thanks!

Josh

I have played around with this, typically giving a short wash of the blade before switching hands, so that some of the lather is left on the underside of the blade. If I don't wash, there is far too much lather left on the blade. I find it does reduce friction somewhat, but the benefit is countered by the fact that instead of leaving a clean, shaven area, there is now additional lather left on the already shaven skin. This confuses me a bit as to where exactly I did shave and what needs to be shaved next.