Water requirement for SRD soap?

I have been using Opus X SRD soap for a while and really like the scent. I am still trying to get my face lathering technique, and shaving technique in general, down. My problem is irritation on my neck, and a skipping sensation when I shave my neck. The lather seems good, but the neck irritation/skipping (and nicking I might add) make me wonder if I am really making the best lather I can.

The thing that I keep wondering about is that this soap seems to not need much water at all. In fact, if I don't really squeeze my badger brush (after soaking in the mug) before I lather, I'll have water running down my arm. I read all these posts about having to add small amounts of water several times during lathering, but that just makes it really runny.

Anyone else have the experience that SRD soaps seem to need a LOT less water than others? Or am I doing something wrong with my lathering?

I'm another fan of that Opus X intoxicating scent. I too face lather mostly, but haven't noticed that soap being particularly picky about water. I just load a squeezed-out brush, then start face-lathering, dipping the brush tips in water until it feels right. Are you stretching adequately? Is your blade absolutely shave ready? Sometimes a less than perfect edge gets a little skippy, or makes you use pressure, leading to those nicks and irritation. Try optimizing all aspects of your shave-it may not be the lather.

That's really helpful -- I have also been wondering about the quality of my edge. Had the razor professionally honed about a year ago and trying to use barber hone for my own touchups but am really thinking it is an edge problem.

I have been leaning towards jumping into honing but haven't pulled the trigger yet, wanting to get technique down first to make sure I really want to stick with straight razor shaving. It has been frustrating lately with the irritation and nicks so have wondered if I really want to invest in hones or not.

Then I think back to my first couple of shaves with a brand new shave-ready razor and no experience. I recall not cutting or nicking myself nor having much if any irritation. I want to get back to that time.

Sounds like time to bite the bullet and get into the honing side of the hobby.

Steve,

The skipping, etc. can be attributed to having too high of an angle on the blade. A watery lather may accentuate the skipping. Try lowering the angle and see if it helps. Also here's a video by Lynn on lathering with an SRD glycerin soap. :gl:

Howard :)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uYhXtw0...%3D

+1 to Howard's suggestions. I often have to remind myself to make sure that the blade angle adjusts to the contour of my neck; I find it helpful to focus a bit on the spine, making sure that it remains close to the skin as I progress from the jaw line downward. If you have more than one razor (and if you don't, you should get an extra), send one out to be professionally honed for comparison. They say that this is especially important if you're going to start honing (I haven't yet) so that you don't find yourself blindly chasing after a good edge (i.e., having nothing to compare your results to).

While I haven't tried the SRD soaps yet, I have been working on my lathering a bit lately. After reading a post from another member (sorry I can't remember who), I've had good results by starting with a slightly drier brush when loading it with soap. That way, you get a brush full of actual soap, instead of ending up with a bunch of runny "pre-lather." The other post suggested the following, which I've tried with good success:

Shake the brush out fairly well after soaking (so that it is relatively dry)
Load the brush on the soap for a while
Dip just the brush tips in water, then load a little more soap (you'll notice a bit of pre lather forming at this point)
Begin to lather on wet face
Dip the brush in water again
Finish lathering (dip the brush again if desired)

YMMV, but hope this helps. Good luck!

More great advice from both of you, and good to review that video too.

I too love the Opus X and well any SRD soap. They seem to lather well for me. Different brushes seem to need different water levels for me

I just learned tonight that the SRD soaps can take quite a bit of water and still make a great lather. I melted one of the samples into the bottom of my bowl. squeezed the brush out after soaking, started to preload. Went to add some more water, put a little more than I wanted, but went with it anyway. Turned out to make one of the best lathers I have made so far.

Wow-After watching Lynn's video, maybe I'm doing it wrong. I probably average about 1 quarter of the loading time Lynn is using there, which usually gives me just enough lather to finish a 3-pass shave, then maybe a little to squeeze out for final touch up. (I'm really thrifty, maybe even cheap, so hate to think I'm wasting a bunch of soap). I'll have to try the longer, repeated water/loading technique to see if it improves cushion and glide. Thanks for posting that SirStropalot!

It is a good video to review from time to time. I had forgotten some of the nuances of Lynn's techniques myself.

Interesting hobby with so much to learn at every step of the way!