Thread: Soapy problems

Hello everyone!
I have a question for all wet shavers out there and it's regarding the soaps that we use.

So far I've tried several of them (soaps and creams) and I have to say that although I do have some favourites I keep getting some of the same results.

I get a nice foamy lather either on the bowl lathering or face lathering but after just a few minutes it starts to feel rather dry and sticky. I usually lather using a circular motion and then stroke it side to side as a paintbrush and the feeling is just slick and soft. But after a couple of strokes with the razor it starts to feel harder and dryer.

I'm guessing that this is because of the water/soap mix but I wanted to know if you had any advice. Would pre-shave oil work? is that necessary or should I just focus on the lather itself.

I also believe that this is what's giving me a harder time shaving and making me do more passes causing me a terrible burning feeling when I use Captain's Choice Bay Rum... As for the razors, I have a Dovo EnVouge Stainless Steel and a TI Carbon Steel. I strop them both every day, both honed properly and still very sharp. (Arm hair and Hanging hair tests.)

The one's I've tried so far are:
Crabtree & Evelynn Nomad Soap
Jack Black Triple cushion cream
Body Shop Maca Root cream
L'occitaine CADE cream
Hermes Terre D'Hermes cream
Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap
Art of Shaving Lavender cream
Penhalligon's Blemhein Bouquet cream.

So far the last three are the best ones for me, and I have to say that hands down the Penhalligon's is my favourite scent.
Absolutely intoxicating.

Any helps and tips are really appreciated!

Cheers.

E.

I would try adding a little more water while lathering.

Pre shave oil may just cause a little more problems. It seems to me to make the lather not soften the whiskers as much imo.

I have to say that your opinion of the last three being the best is one I would agree with too. The BB scent is wonderful to my nose, although it does receive mixed opinions.
Your issue is definitely a product/water ratio issue. You need more water. I moved away from cartridge razors and canned gel/foam around 4 years ago, beginning with creams, but quickly moved over to soaps. With creams, it is very easy to use too much product which then requires much more water. With soaps, on the other hand, the general error made in the beginning is not using enough product.
It is very much a trial and error at the outset as every product will have a different lathering requirement. I advise to use just one product for a couple of weeks(if you can live with that!) and vary the proportions until you get the perfect lather. Then consider trying something else.
I should also add that the brush can also play a significant part in the variables too. Badger or boar, and in the badger brush especially, the size and density of the knot will dictate the amount of product.
This is part of the fun of traditional wet shaving. So many variables make it that much more interesting.

I know... I've been using a large boar brush and the C&E Soap for a while, but it wasn't until I moved to Straight Razor that I learned how to properly lather a soap (I kept using too much water) and trying different creams.
I could use only one for a couple of weeks, but the problem would be which one to use he he he... I generally use a Boar brush that's been well broke in to and I have a smaller badger brush which I try only to use it with the BB Cream as I love the scent that it leaves behind when it dries. I like it so much that I don't want to mix it with any other scent.

Most excellent suggestions David.

I would try using more water.
I have seen people say that cold water make the lather Slippery and moist for a longer period of time. I can't really say if I agree or not but it makes sense to me and would be something to try.
A thought I had is if having a thicker layer of lather on your face make it slippery and moist for a longer time? To me it sounds logical but I can't really back it up.

Building good lather is deceptively simple. Water, a decent brush, and some twirling and of course a good soap. The nut to crack is getting those variables in the right combination and that combo changes with each soap.

You just need to experiment until you get it with one soap and then move on to the next. Water quality can also be an issue and watch the water temp. Too hot can break down the lather.

The shave part may be a different issue. Try shaving with just water as an experiment. As long as you keep the area wet you should get a good result. if you still get the burn then you probably have another issue to worry about.

Try splashing water on your face and neck before you appy your soap. Your skin will suck the water right out of you lather and become very dry very fast and having a moist face to start can help. MWF is one of my favorites and will not dry on your face if the water/soap ratio is correct. Keep trying, It will come.

I've been shaving with a SR for a couple of months and I feel confident enough with my technique so far, but I absolutely love the fact that I keep learning every single day!
I thought I had a good lathering technique, or at least better than what I thought :-)
I think it's a great idea to stick with one soap and really "practice" with that one and than move to the others once I understand them better.

Thanks everyone :-D

...and the right balance of water and product is a key. Different with every soap and cream.