Thread: Flaky lather

You can get a shaveable lather with Williams.
It takes longer to get ready and it uses a lot of water.
Normally, I do one or two brush dips face lathering but with Williams the norm is 4 or more
But, it can be done.

Originally Posted by Gurra92

So I am new to wet shaving, and I just bought a shaving soap from poraso. My question is what I am doing wrong when my lather becomes flaky and starts to disappear?

Gurra92,

The proper water ratio with soaps or creams is essential to create moist lather. Load your brush well in the beginning, adjusting the water ratio in the process by dipping the tips of your brush into water. Be careful how much water you add, because too much will give you runny lather. Now to making lather.

Whether bowl lathering or face lathering, keep working your brush, drizzling a few drops of water in the bowl if bowl lathering, or dipping the tips of your brush in water if face lathering, until you get the perfect lather.

Sometimes you might have to moisten your lather during the shave with a little bit more water. There is nothing wrong with that. Creating great lather will take a little time, but you can master it. Also remember, each soap or cream will have its own characteristics and you must adjust your loading and lathering process accordingly.

I have been using a straight for about six weeks now, and I have only lathered my whole face once. Had the same results. I usually do quadrants now.

One thing I've noticed, is that if it's very dry where you live, whether through lack of humidity or everything with the potential to be liquid is frozen, your brush needs to have enough water to lather properly.

Most of the time, I can give my brush a good rinse under the tap and I'm off. With this very cold winter, and it being very dry in my house, I find soaking my brush for 5-10 minutes before I shave makes a world of difference, and of course the proper soap/cream ratio etc....

I have said on other threads about difficult soap that I wonder why you Would bother when there are plenty of good inexpensive soaps.
The flaky lather issue you are experiencing is most likely just that you are taking a long time to shave and that you arent using enough water.
I (currently) lather once, sort out my gear, then re lather just before I shave, this Gives me the opportunity to moisten my lather or thicken it as required, it also gives my beard a chance to soften up (though this is could well be psychological). I find this especially useful either with a new soap or if i haven't showered/ washed my face immediately prior. With soaps I am familiar with this is probably not really necessary.