Thread: Soap Problem

I am not sure if it is my technique as I am a noob or if it the soap but I can never make a serviceable lather. I mean I get what I think is the correct lather but never stays lathered on my face. I got a puck of almond scented Marvy shaving soap which sits almost perfectly in the bottom of a conical coffee mug. I load my badger brush with piping hot water and then let the excesses drip off an once it stop dripping I start to stir the brush over the soap. I initially get a lot of wet later that is really only good for pre-shave face prep. I continue past the wet lather but it never gets to, and I can only compare the consistency to whipped cream, a good stiff peak consistency. It seems to go from wet strait to dry lather and it is making it hard(er) for this noob to shave. I am not sure if it is my inexperience or the lather but I have gotten away with only one nick free shave. Can anyone give me some insight why I am not getting a good lather as well as how to get a better lather? Also, will a poor lather/lubrication contribute to getting nicked?

I'm curious - are you continually rubbing the brush over the puck of soap and make lather in the same cup? That could be your problem right there.

Try this, load the brush with some soap then put the soap away. Take the loaded brush and rub it over your wet face until it comes to the right consistency. It will be a little less stiff than whipped cream, but should form peaks. Then smooth it out and shave away. The brush should hold enough lather for another pass or two, which is all I ever need.

As for contributing to getting nicked: Yes. Lather is your skin's protection, so if it's thin or dry you're gonna have a rough shave.

Originally Posted by Zaph

I am not sure if it is my technique as I am a noob or if it the soap but I can never make a serviceable lather. I mean I get what I think is the correct lather but never stays lathered on my face. I got a puck of almond scented Marvy shaving soap which sits almost perfectly in the bottom of a conical coffee mug. I load my badger brush with piping hot water and then let the excesses drip off an once it stop dripping I start to stir the brush over the soap. I initially get a lot of wet later that is really only good for pre-shave face prep. I continue past the wet lather but it never gets to, and I can only compare the consistency to whipped cream, a good stiff peak consistency. It seems to go from wet strait to dry lather and it is making it hard(er) for this noob to shave. I am not sure if it is my inexperience or the lather but I have gotten away with only one nick free shave. Can anyone give me some insight why I am not getting a good lather as well as how to get a better lather? Also, will a poor lather/lubrication contribute to getting nicked?

Do you build the lather in a separate mug or right on your face? It took me a few tries to get the hang of soaps when I started, and tended to use creams then.

I have pretty hard water where I live and found that the best way for me to use soap is to lather right on my face. I'll lather my face in two parts; first the cheeks and neck, then get a little more soap and lather around my mouth and chin.

I have been trying to build the later in the same cup as the soap. I have been checking out videos on the internet and they all seem to be building in the same cup as the puck.

Wiki to the rescue: This method works. Making basic soap lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki

. To wet and it would vanish into thin air and if too dry, it may feel like concrete. Both excessively wet or dry lather can have a similar appearance though. If you go too far past this point, the lather would vanish into thin air. You can also get a better consistency by adjusting the whipping speed. One thing is for sure, it is better to use a bit past the point lather than dry lather. You also may want to work the lather on your face as well so that it serves one of its intended purposes, prepping your beard but as you said, it should look similar to whipped cream.

It seems that you have too much soap or too little water. You may want to check this video out: vhttp://

Originally Posted by Zaph

I am not sure if it is my technique as I am a noob or if it the soap but I can never make a serviceable lather. I mean I get what I think is the correct lather but never stays lathered on my face. I got a puck of almond scented Marvy shaving soap which sits almost perfectly in the bottom of a conical coffee mug. I load my badger brush with piping hot water and then let the excesses drip off an once it stop dripping I start to stir the brush over the soap. I initially get a lot of wet later that is really only good for pre-shave face prep. I continue past the wet lather but it never gets to, and I can only compare the consistency to whipped cream, a good stiff peak consistency. It seems to go from wet strait to dry lather and it is making it hard(er) for this noob to shave. I am not sure if it is my inexperience or the lather but I have gotten away with only one nick free shave. Can anyone give me some insight why I am not getting a good lather as well as how to get a better lather? Also, will a poor lather/lubrication contribute to getting nicked?