How's this for a lather

Hi guys,

Still new and trying to figure it out. Here's my latest attempt.

The cream and using a scuttle filled with simmering water -

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9782/cream1.jpg

The almond size dab of cream. The heat seemed to help melt the cream and make it easier to whip -

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4008/cream2.jpg

The lather on the back of the hand -

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2015/cream3y.jpg

And on the face -

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4056/cream4.jpg

Is this what I'm going for?

Thx,
Jim

Looks good to me! I'm no expert, in fact I struggle every day to make a decent lather with the hard water I have, (unless I use distilled). And that is right up there with some of my better results. But more important how does it work for you?

That looks like good lather to me. Can't go wrong with CF I think.

James.

Ditto...

Of course, with a premium shaving cream like Castle Forbes you have an immense advantage.

I'm not sure how far you took this lather, but to me, it looks like that lather could have been better. It is very hard to tell from these pics exactly how you created the lather, but by the looks of your scuttle, your lather was not as fluffy/creamy as it could have been. Again, I have no idea and am only going on the pics.

I know that when I create lather, at least 1/4 of my scuttle is filled with fluffy, yogurt like foam. It looks to me that your lather was thin in the scuttle, but looks good on your face.

I always shoot for a nice fluffy, creamy lather in my scuttle before I apply to my face. I'm no expert, so take all of that for what it's worth.....which might be nothing. :)

I think what you have there looks great. I can say that for my taste, I prefer it a little thicker (less water) and a little creamier (less fluff). I don't want to be able to see through it at any point (it's hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like it was a bit thin on your neck, but that may just be because you hadn't lathered much there). The lather on the back of your hand looks perfect to me though.

Great job!

P.S. I love the ducks!:tu

Looks ok to me.

Hello, Drac:

Your lather looks rich and thick enough for a fine shave.

The idea is to cover the skin with just enough rich lather to provide smooth glide and proper cushion, rather than cover the face with clouds of lather, most of which does not touch the skin and, therefore, is wasted.

Of course, you're working with Castle Forbes, which reigns at the top of the shave cream world.

Good job.

Regards,
Obie

I think you are ok. Actually, the lather is built up in the core of the brush. So I don't think it is odd that you don't have a lot in the bottom of the scuttle.

At the end of the day, you know what soupy looks like, and when too dry it just kind of dry collapses.

How did it shave?

You are on the right track. The lather looks good, it might need a
bit more water...

Your face should already be wet. Splash clear water on your face, build a lather,
light splash of water then apply the lather and brush it in so it gets down to the base
of your whiskers.

Do tinker a bit. Add too little water, then add bit by bit too much water
with lots of lathering between additional dribbles of water. A shaving lather
can hold a LOT of water.

Shave creams of that quality are very forgiving... and VERY rewarding.
So if you miss perfection even by a lot you will get a good shave so no worries.
Do experiment.

One experiment is when you are done shaving take the brush back to the
lathering bowel and dribble by dribble add more and more water while working
the lather to the point that you have added too much. You will be astounded how
much more there is .... it will not get up to your elbow on the first try
but you might just cover your fist.... OR not so give it a try.

Lathering is not magic just practice.
Air, Water, Soap and a bit of effort.

Looks a tad thick to meas i'm used to a little more water in my mug..but...throw some crushed walnuts, some mixed sprinkles n a cherry ontop..then SHES PERFECT!...:rofl2:
:beer1:

PcDad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fbones24

I'm not sure how far you took this lather, but to me, it looks like that lather could have been better. It is very hard to tell from these pics exactly how you created the lather, but by the looks of your scuttle, your lather was not as fluffy/creamy as it could have been. Again, I have no idea and am only going on the pics.

I know that when I create lather, at least 1/4 of my scuttle is filled with fluffy, yogurt like foam. It looks to me that your lather was thin in the scuttle, but looks good on your face.

I always shoot for a nice fluffy, creamy lather in my scuttle before I apply to my face. I'm no expert, so take all of that for what it's worth.....which might be nothing. :)

---

+1. Seems like there should be more in the bowl. It should have a whip cream or meringue like consistency. I work the lather into my beard with the brush for a good 30 seconds, I'll have actual peeks on my face, especially with Castle Forbes...Your going in the right direction...Good work...

More important than appearance are the physical qualities, as in how it reacts on your face. Does it get very thin and evaporate on your face? Does it dry up and flake? If the answer to both is no then you should be just fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niftyshaving

You are on the right track. The lather looks good, it might need a
bit more water...

Your face should already be wet. Splash clear water on your face, build a lather,
light splash of water then apply the lather and brush it in so it gets down to the base
of your whiskers.

Do tinker a bit. Add too little water, then add bit by bit too much water
with lots of lathering between additional dribbles of water. A shaving lather
can hold a LOT of water.

Shave creams of that quality are very forgiving... and VERY rewarding.
So if you miss perfection even by a lot you will get a good shave so no worries.
Do experiment.

One experiment is when you are done shaving take the brush back to the
lathering bowel and dribble by dribble add more and more water while working
the lather to the point that you have added too much. You will be astounded how
much more there is .... it will not get up to your elbow on the first try
but you might just cover your fist.... OR not so give it a try.

Lathering is not magic just practice.
Air, Water, Soap and a bit of effort.

---

Thanks to all for the advise. All definitely give this a try.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sharp

P.S. I love the ducks!:tu

---

I have a small collection of them.

Jim

It's your personal preference. I'd say if it doesn't either run off your face or turn dry & cakey before your shave is done, then it's a good mix.

Looks like it's getting there to me. Most important of all is how it works for you and how comfortable it feels when shaving.

The experimentation phase is important (and fun) I've found, having used so many different brands of soaps and creams. You'll definitiely find your groove and what works best for you.

I use soap and cream to make uberlather and find I am usually fist deep in the stuff; it usually is of a very thick and creamy consistency. Probably slightly moreso than what you've shown in your pics. I spend a couple of minutes building the lather up before I deem it ready.

I use CF Sandalwood in my rotation and get a very thick lather with it, especially when used with Trumpers Sandalwood soap - only small amounts are needed to get a massive lather going!

Good luck!

I have that EXACT same lather. I just have a thing for lime.

Anyways, my lather looks EXACTLY the same as yours. BUT, I've always been disappointed.

If I lather my entire face, by the time I finish with one half of my face, the lather is all dried up on the other side.

To use if effectively I have to lather my face in quarters.

The little lady got me some other shave treatment stuff called Dermalogica, so I've been testing that out recently.

Tonight I was planning on going back to the Castle Forbes for a rough comparison since I just got a new razor up to snuff last night.

I've always thought I could use more of the cream. I'll try it tonight and let you know how it works.

Actually, you could generate a lot more lather here. It appears to be dry. Try a bit more water on the brush and keep whipping it. Once it's on your face, you can still whip it. It will definitely get thicker.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thorxes

I have that EXACT same lather. I just have a thing for lime.

Anyways, my lather looks EXACTLY the same as yours. BUT, I've always been disappointed.
...snip.....

---

Well lather is a combination of air, water and soap.

Work it with a brush to get more air... Depending on the brush
this will take more or less time.

Water and soap there are lots of ways to get this right...
I like to start with too little water and dribble by dribble add
water knowing that it takes some brush work to get the air
part right.

A runny wet lather may have the right amount of soap and
water but not the right amount of air.

In terms of working the lather I constantly marvel at the way lather
on my brush changes while I am shaving. Having applied
most of the lather to my face I can rework the lather adding
additional water (or not) and sometimes get a much improved lather
for a second pass.

Summary: experiment