Thread: Cushion? So what is cushion?

I think cushion a nonsense word when it comes to lather. The best explanation I have heard for it is residual slickness. Using a wet finger you can test it. Some soaps as soon as the blade passes the skin feels dry whereas with some the skin still feel very slick and slippery. How this relates to "cushion" I have no clue.

I wonder if you get more "cushion" if you "bloom" the soap longer

I'm guessing here ! Maybe the lather lubes the skin for the razor to glide over, and cushion has nothing to do with the skin. It is the consistency of the lather that holds the hair out for the razor to shave off. Like shampoo does in your hair when you wash it. The hair doesn't lay again the scalp until you rinse the soap out.

I don't think guessing will help us much here. There are a number of well researched characteristics of good shaving soaps (or creams). If you talk to actual soap makers (not the guys and girls who use ready made soap stock), they will tell you that they will look for the ability to de-grease whiskers, make hair follicles more accessible (hence the need for a proper brush instead of just smearing on the lather), and, of course aftershave skin care.

The manufacturers I've spoken to have no idea what "cushion" could be, nor which sense it might make. Except, possibly, to make what the inventor of the term said slightly more distinguished sounding. In reality, "cushion" is bollocks. Or marketing speak. Or both.

Just my $.2. YMMV, of course.

Slickness makes the razor glide on your skin effortlessly.

Cushion makes for a comfortable shave(painless) just like the cushion on your chair!

If that were the case, Martin, "cushion" would mean "local anæsthetic". Which, in reality, quite a few shaving soaps or creams actually contain. However, I would rather call that "local anæsthetic" than cushion.

Originally Posted by RobinK

If that were the case, Martin, "cushion" would mean "local anæsthetic". Which, in reality, quite a few shaving soaps or creams actually contain. However, I would rather call that "local anæsthetic" than cushion.

Actually Robin quite a few shavings soaps contains a small amount of an anesthetic, not as a main ingredient, but part of the formula. For example one of the soaps you enjoy "Meißner Tremonia" contains Camphora oil an anesthetic.

Originally Posted by RobinK

[A local anæsthetic w]hich, in reality, quite a few shaving soaps or creams actually contain.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Actually Robin quite a few shavings soaps contains a small amount of an anesthetic, not as a main ingredient, but part of the formula.

Yes, Martin, that's what I said. Menthol, too.

But... that's still not "cushion". Unless you also use a chair as an anæsthetic. Something I have often considered whilst dealing with staff.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Slickness makes the razor glide on your skin effortlessly.

Cushion makes for a comfortable shave(painless) just like the cushion on your chair!

Are you trying to imply that if we glued foam rubber to our faces that our shaves would be more comfortable?

Originally Posted by Splashone

Are you trying to imply that if we glued foam rubber to our faces that our shaves would be more comfortable?

No actually i was responding to the question asked from the thread, my definition of cushion. Unlike your useless post.

Originally Posted by Martin103

No actually i was responding to the question asked from the thread, my definition of cushion. Unlike your useless post.

Wow, some of the crowd here seems a bit humor challenged this week.