Thread: Cream Soap Question

I received a tub of Taylors of Old Bond Street Sandlewood cream today and tried it out with a new razor I received as well. Here is the question as I have switched from a puck to cream. Half way through my shave the lather on the left side of my face had completely dried turned to almost a powder and I needed to re lather. Does this mean I need to incorporate more water into the lather making process or is this what happens with creams. The cream felt great on my face BTW. Thanks in advance for any insight

D

Dllandry,
I nearly always mix soaps and creams together, so I'm not sure I can answer you accurately. That being said, when I first started shaving with a straight, I had drying issues regularly, but it was because I was being very cautious and shaving very slowly. As my experience increased, the drying issues decreased. I still occasionally have drying issues if I'm really taking my time, but not nearly as often as I used to. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Mark

Apply your soap a little thicker. It will take longer to dry out and it will provide more cushion as well.

If you are a bowl lather, just apply a little extra. If you are a face latherer, use a little extra water and spend some extra time building a good thick lather.

The problem you are observing could be related to one of two things (really one): 1) not enough product used to build your lather; or 2) lather that it is too dry. it is hard to know exactly which one of the two is responsible. Needless to say that if your lather is too dry and you add more product you will compound the problem and vice versa (hydrating the lather when you have too little product). I said that it is really one because the cream : water ratio is just not right. Different products have different product : water ratios and you may have to play with it to find the one that works best for you. There is also the possibility that your water is affecting this cream more that it did the soap you were using but I would not believe this is the reason for what you are seeing as Taylor of Old Bomb Street makes good creams but it is certainly a possibility.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by Dllandry

I received a tub of Taylors of Old Bond Street Sandlewood cream today and tried it out with a new razor I received as well. Here is the question as I have switched from a puck to cream. Half way through my shave the lather on the left side of my face had completely dried turned to almost a powder and I needed to re lather. Does this mean I need to incorporate more water into the lather making process or is this what happens with creams. The cream felt great on my face BTW. Thanks in advance for any insight

D

I use TOBS in various scents (sometimes Musgo for a change of pace). I lather in my hand, spread the lather from my hand over my face, using my hand; then rub it in, then lather my face with my brush. Then I hang my still-charged brush on its rack. I'm a pretty quick shaver, so usually I don't have a problem with the lather drying, but I have had that happen. When it does, I just relather with the still-charged brush. BTW, I have tried shaving with cold water. I agree it probably gives a better shave, but I shave for enjoyment, and I hate cold water. Been there, done that.

I guess I didn't make this clear I use TOBS cream, about double pea size drops.

Going along with the previous posters it could be the lather/water ratio but it also could be the speed of your shave. I know early on I had that happen all the time. I was an experienced latherer through years of DE shaving but inexperienced with straights. When the speed of my shave increased that problem disappeared. FWIW, as a former face latherer I switched to the bowl and it is way better for me. YMMV.

Yea, Jimmy's right. When I started with straights it took me around 30 minutes or more to shave and the soap would just dry out on my face. I don't have that problem anymore. If it's not a time issue then just use more water or soap whichever works better.

Originally Posted by Dllandry

I received a tub of Taylors of Old Bond Street Sandlewood cream today and tried it out with a new razor I received as well. Here is the question as I have switched from a puck to cream. Half way through my shave the lather on the left side of my face had completely dried turned to almost a powder and I needed to re lather. Does this mean I need to incorporate more water into the lather making process or is this what happens with creams. The cream felt great on my face BTW. Thanks in advance for any insight

D

It is a common situation...
To start just lather the drying bits more as you shave.
Dry air or slow shaving make this common. Rushing
a shave is the easy way to get nicks so just shave a
patch or two then set the blade down in a safe way, refresh
the lather and pick up the blade again.

I would guess that you need to practice with this new cream.
Try too much, and too little water on purpose.

For me building a good lather with a new soap takes practice.
I find that adding water a drip at a time is key and it always takes
more time and water than I expect.

Dllandry: it's probably just a case of getting to know the product. I've been using the self same cream for quite a few years now, and I'll vouch for it being a very satisfactory shaving medium whether you lather up on your face or in a bowl.

I'd suggest you try this: soak the brush, shake out the excess water, add your usual amount of cream to the brush and work up the lather in a bowl. The chances are you'll get a meringue-like appearance with peaks standing up without slumping: this is a trifle under hydrated. Flick some water into the bowl from your fingers and agitate some more, and repeat until those peaks are turning over at the tips but still sticking up: the lather should look quite glossy now. That should be about right, and the mixture should last well - half an hour wouldn't be out of the question. Add more water in the same manner as and when you think it needs it. With your double pea measure of cream there ought to be enough for three passes, maybe another.

Forgive me if this is obvious, but this is exactly what works for me with this specific cream.