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hey guys I've been having a couple of bad shaves lately. Trying out a new razor and soap. I'm kind of new to wet shaving and i have less experience with creams I'm currently using the Ogallala bay rum shave soap and i'm not getting a dense lather, is that common for shaving soaps as opposed to creams?
Creams are usually easier to raise a good lather from. With soaps the usual downfall is not loading enough soap into the brush in the first place. I would try working the brush longer on the puck for a start.
Bob
I have very hard water and some soaps don't like my water, in those sales I have to use bottled water. I take it this is your first hard soap. Some soaps are really sensitive to the amount of water. I am also going to guess that you are bowl lathering. Like Bob said, really load up your brush and then slowly add water as you build the lather
I've found, Different brush hair types lather differently, too.
I switched to a synth brush several yrs ago and like it better. In fact, this am (feeling nostalgic) I did use an old badger brush and soap that I use often. It just didn't get the lather whipped as nicely as I do with my synth's.
Possibly too much water also? I stand my brush (Vie-long horse) in my bowl in warm water for a few minutes, give it one flick to remove excess and then load it. The bowl retains the warmth nicely and I find that helps also. I am fairly convinced that cerain bristle types work better with certain soaps, and I find the Vie-Long horse works really well with slightly softer soaps such as Tabac and the Mon Savon Bol a Raser.
With experience, you'll be able to get great lathers from both soaps and creams. Creams are usually less fussy about having the perfect water ratio, so I found them easier to use in the beginning. For loading up soaps, try using a brush that you know is too dry. Add water as needed in about 3 drop increments, while you load up the brush. Once the brush is loaded and you go to the bowl or face with it, the soap should still be too dry. Continue to build your lather, adding water just a couple of drops at a time...when in doubt use less water, not more. If you take your time with this, you will build a great lather. If you rush it, you'll end up with too much water in the mix, which will make a thin lather. Once you get the hang of it, you can whip up a good lather in about 90 seconds or less.
Wayne is dead on about water and soaps IME. I do put a little water on the soap while I strop, but I mean a little water. Then I start with a dry brush and work it on the puck...a lot of movement, but not a lot of pressure. The object is to get plenty of soap on the bristles. The I literally add add water only a few drops at a time to my brush if face lathering or bowl if using one. Keep at it adding drops often enough that you see more lathering but never too much at once. Watery lather is bad :nono:
Practice practice practice. Soap is cheap and if you lather up 10 or 15 times you will get better at it. Plus you get one clean face :<0)
Wet your puck and let it sit awhile. It softens up the soap.
Just dip your brush 1/4 the length into water and shake once or twice.
When you load the brush watch for lather on the puck. The more lather you create on the puck the more soap you have on the brush.
You can always add water in small amounts but once it's too wet you might as well start over.
Wayne's comment is great advice. I would get you a synthetic brush with a big knot to learn. They are a little easier to learn with to me. If you end up with a thin lather, just rinse out your bowl/mug and try again. If you have a small bowl or mug, try using a larger one to really have room to move your brush. You can go back to the small one once you have a better feel for it.