Ladies and gentlemen:
After extensive experimentation, I have chosen to cool down the water in my improvised scuttle so that my lather on the brush keeps most of its original texture.
My improvised scuttle consists of a miniature glazed flower pot, produced locally, which comfortably holds brushes up to 25 mm., partially submerged into a rotund coffee cup made in Poland.
For a long time I poured boiling water in the tank of my original scuttle (a Georgetown, which I sold, because I finally realized I didn't much care for it) as well as my current improvised one. As always, I soaked the brush only in warm and not boiling water.
Little by little, though, I realized that the boiling water in the tank made the bowl or the cup holding my brush too hot, which contributed to the lather breaking down and thinning out during the shave. What's this? What's this? This made me scratch my head a few times until I realized the reason: the extremely hot water.
For the past few days I have used just hot water from the faucet (mine does get pleasantly hot, though not boiling) and my lather seems to remain thicker and richer in the warm brush, and is thus more pleasing for my Hollywood face. This process works well with both soaps or creams.
That's what's so fulfilling about the world of wet shaving and straight razors: for the art invites experimentation.
Regards,
Obie