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  1. 08-05-2009, 02:08 PM #7
    Alraz
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    Quote Originally Posted by jehan60188 View Post

    it smells nice, but i don't know if bar soap would be any good for shaving? with enough technique/elbow grease/luck, can i pull of an equivalently good lather?
    Bath and shaving soaps are different. They are obtained using different combinations of fatty acids. The main function of bath soap is cleansing not lathering. Short chain fatty acids, which are often used in making bath soaps, are good cleansers but poor latherers. I do not see how this could be changed with technique, elbow grease or luck.




    Quote Originally Posted by jehan60188 View Post
    edit: so, i was just reading the description for the shave soap. it seems as if you're supposed to put quite a bit of soap (i.e. the entire 'puck') in to your shave mug?
    i guess that explains why i can't get a good lather going...
    You could use a single bowl for loading your brush and lathering but I would not do it that way, especially if you are still trying to figure the correct ratios of soap to water that work best for you. I would use a separate bowl for lathering and add water progressively after you have loaded your brush. I think that a visit to the wiki may be in order:

    http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...ategory:Lather

    I always recommend people that are working on their lathering skills this video, i helped me greatly:

    YouTube - How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather





    Quote Originally Posted by FTG View Post
    Hi Jehan,

    Yes I've also been experimenting with trying regular soaps - some seem to make lather, but I can only get the bubbly foamy kind, not a nicey creamy lather.
    Read above.

    Quote Originally Posted by FTG View Post

    Wet face and hand-soap (no lather)
    Before I discovered the DE and the straight,
    I'd been wetting my face with hot water, rubbing some hand-soap on my face, then rubbing a bit more with my fingers

    - this seemed to create a slippery surface that was fine for disposables.
    If it dried out, I'd just splash a little more water on and I was fine.
    These are the properties that a good shaving soap should have: 1) it contributes to beard and skin preparation by softening whiskers and lubricating the skin; 2) it provides a well hydrated lather that does not dry out; 3) it allows sufficient cushion and glide during the shave; and 4) it conditions your skin after the shave.

    What you describe, probably would help to a certain extent in 1, 3 (glide) and depending on what soap you use, 4.


    Quote Originally Posted by FTG View Post

    (Though I do think good face prep does make a difference to the shave).
    Right you are!!!

    Quote Originally Posted by FTG View Post
    I presume you can shave with just a wet soapy (not lathered) face - I was doing that with disposables - I'm just not sure if the shave is better.
    My grandfather used to say: "use the right tool for the job", it applies here too; a good shaving soap should work best. Wet soapy face would give you a good shave but you may want to add a bit of cushion to it. In my opinion, your method would be far better than shaving with an ultra thick but dry lather as long as you are super careful with the razor. I would not recommend it as a general practice.

    Al raz.
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