Thread: B&M's Reserve Cool sample

Originally Posted by Gasman

As to the amount of soap to use... I've always carved out a sample from a sample about the size of an Almond. This will tell me if a soap lathers easy, builds lather quickly or if it sucks and will need more soap to lather.
Smashing the sample into the bottom of a bowl helps the brush to get at the soap better. More surface area so to speak. I'm not sure why someone would have a hard time with B/M Soaps but be sure to start out light on the water. Too much water too fast is never going to help. I have two bowls. A very wide one I use for new samples that I've never tested. More surface area. And a small one that I use after I know the soap.

I've never remembered to ask, I assume you mean an unshelled almond?

Originally Posted by Charlie416

Thanks Gasman! "two bowls" was the key! I pulled out my rubber/plastic collapsible travel bowl with the agitators on the bottom - I swear that thing could explode a teaspoon of vinegar into a massive head of rich thick lather just by getting the brush within three feet of it. And I now know what it's like to shave with B&M Waves. And very much looking forward to experiencing Terror (...B&M Terror that is) tomorrow!!

I think I have the shaving bowl you describe. It never fails to create lather when other bowls or scuttles aren’t doing the job for me.

Originally Posted by DZEC

I think I have the shaving bowl you describe. It never fails to create lather when other bowls or scuttles aren’t doing the job for me.

I have the same bowl as well.
Lathers even better than my Suribachi bowl.
It's nice and light, collapses flat, and travels well.

I do believe that these are marketed as pet food bowls that are designed to make your pet eat slower.

Pete <:-}

Yep, that's the one! (the blue one specifically). It lathers like a can of Barbasol on steroids (I won't get kicked off the forum for saying that will I?!) But I don't like the way my brush feels on that plasticy rubber. It messes with my shaving zen. So I use it for travel only. .... unless I wind up getting some B&M soap apparently - Then it will also be for B&M days :-)

Pete, You are right, they do make the exact same thing for pet feeders. I got mine from Stirling. (But I think Stirling got them from PetSmart ;-) )

Late to commenting but a shelled almond is the size i go by. I find al.knds are very close to the same sizes. Not like other nuts. When I can do a three pass shave out of that amount of soap and still have plenty left for a couple more passes, Im happy with the lathering abilities of a soap.

I was given a Sample of the B&M Waves. I had forgotten about it. It's a decent soap IMO. I didn't have any issue lathering it but it did not make thick creamy lather like others soaps. Not as rich and thick. Still, it was a good lather with enough slickness to give a good shave. It seems slow on taking-on water so I can see some folks having a little issue with it. The Scent was not much to my liking as I like stronger scents. I won't be adding this one to my collection of soaps. I would rank this soaps ability (not scent) at 7 out of 10. JMO

I've had two of the B&M reserve soaps. I didn't recall issues with loading, but it was after loading that I didn't care for how the base behaved.

I face lather, after loading, it would be almost stringy/goopy until well hydrated. Once enough water was added it would create a very nice lather. It was good, but I didn't enjoy the process. I have the same experience with the PAA CK-6 soap base. It's good, but I don't care for the goopy/stringy phase until enough water is added. Great lather once it's built, but the building it I don't care for.