The Obie Memorial First Tier Soaps and Creams Thread.

[Druid]

Gentlemen,

I have discovered the optimum water temperature for all soaps or creams — at least the hundreds I have used — is just plain old warm tap water. Many have a tendency to use extremely hot water, which, in my experience, hinders the lather. Just warm enough to the touch should do it.

The one important element to which I pay close attention at the start, whether face or bowl lathering, is to load the brush heavily with enough soap or cream and not be cheap about it. My brush gets a gentle shake and a squeeze before loading — heavily. From there, I lather and watch the water ratio.

I dislike cold water shaving, so I can't tell you anything about that. Just warm enough water and a well loaded brush does it for me.

Yes, I used to long for hot lather, and always meant to invest in a scuttle. Being as scrupulous with a dollar as I am, I tried various methods, that should have worked, to imitate a scuttle. All these attempts proceeded to kill my lather, but the desire for nice hot lather like the old barbershops used to give never left me, and I always thought that my futile attempts must have been my own fault.
But, after reading here, perhaps not...

Must look into the SRD piece..

[Obie]

Yes, I used to long for hot lather, and always meant to invest in a scuttle. Being as scrupulous with a dollar as I am, I tried various methods, that should have worked, to imitate a scuttle. All these attempts proceeded to kill my lather, but the desire for nice hot lather like the old barbershops used to give never left me, and I always thought that my futile attempts must have been my own fault.
But, after reading here, perhaps not...

Must look into the SRD piece..

The way I use these scuttles, whether lathering with Martin de Candre, Czech & Speak or Tabac, is this: On the way to the shower, I place the brush in the scuttle bowl and fill the bowl with just warm water up to the hairline below the handle — I don't like immersing the handle in water. The tank is filled with hot water, as hot as I can get it from the tap. The soap is then topped with warm water — not soft creams, obviously — and then it's on to the shower.

When ready to lather, I empty the scuttle and then fill the tank only with hot water, as hot as I can get it; then I place a tablespoon amount of warm water in the bowl to conduct heat — I learn this from Lynn. After that a gentle shake for the brush, and a gentle squeeze, and then I load the brush — heavily.

For me, the most enjoyable part of shaving daily is the lathering. The actual shave is enjoyable, too, especially with a good razor, but the lathering is pure joy. That's why I put emphasis on quality products and brushes. I spend as much time as I can on the preparation, no matter what tier product I use, and silvertip brushes only. Spend the time preparing the skin, for after all, you have deadly sharp steel scraping it.

Slightly off topic: after spending a fortune on brushes from various brands, I now use Savile Row, shavemac and Thater brushes, all silvertips, mostly three-bands, with an occasional lather with the Plisson synthetic. That's it.

[mlucassr]

Brothers of the Steel,
I use a similar method myself but I do use Real Hot water in my scuttle when I do use it. In the lower bowl I use Real Hot water, while in the upper I use warm water keeps the lather nice throughout the shave, by way just bought a couple of Thaters will use them starting today, and throughout the week all Silvertips, to go along with my Saville Rows and Simpsons, may try Shavemac as well, since you mentioned it, Obie

[tcrideshd]

I,m curious, how do you keep the lather on your brush if it's in water in the top bowl? Seems every time you put your brush in it that it would water down your lather. Just asking. Tc

[Obie]

I,m curious, how do you keep the lather on your brush if it's in water in the top bowl? Seems every time you put your brush in it that it would water down your lather. Just asking. Tc

The water is minimal, about a tablespoon amount, just enough to keep the lather from drying, and to also transmit heat from the tank to the bowl. It works well. If you have excessive water in the bowl, then your lather will get watery.

[tcrideshd]

The water is minimal, about a tablespoon amount, just enough to keep the lather from drying, and to also transmit heat from the tank to the bowl. It works well. If you have excessive water in the bowl, then your lather will get watery.

Thanks Obie, now I get it

[mainaman]

Phrank and Mainaman,
I am surprised this soaps does not work for you. I find it does everything it is supposed to do. The lather is big and moist, with the cushion and glide topnotch. Perhaps you need to work with the soap a wee bit longer.

Obie I have tried for a while to get it going with various high quality brushes, it was a no go for me.

[mainaman]

I had some play time with PannaCrema Namaste, and Valobra Fougere hard soap, both preform great for me. Those two are going in the first tier of soaps for me.

[Phrank]

Obie I have tried for a while to get it going with various high quality brushes, it was a no go for me.

Agreed - last nights shave, gave a go with the LPL Traditional, slightly better than the Patchouli, but not by much, it was sent to the box as well.

One thing I've noticed about many "artisan" soaps" - they seem to initially burst with lather, perform wonderfully, and then fade away.

Obie, interesting, it may be tweaking to a large extent, but was just going through an old thread about soaps and you mentioned yourself about the lather fading in LPL:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...ml#post1435252

While if I could figure out the formula to make this soap work, I'd do it, but it seems to be so hit and miss I'd rather use a reliable soap, hate ending up mid-shave with a lather that is failing, so personally, Tier 1 has to have a "delivers every time" type performance.

Be interesting to compare a new tin of LPL with one that's been opened and used for a few weeks....

As always Obie, I love soaps and creams and discussions around them, and this thread is a "gift" for us soap addicts, thanks!

[Obie]

Obie I have tried for a while to get it going with various high quality brushes, it was a no go for me.

Now I am really curious. As I said, the soap explodes for me. Interesting.