Thread: Building Lather

I have noticed that I am always building a much better, richer, creamier lather when about to do my second pass. It would be much nicer to have an equally nice lather build up on the first pass as well cause I feel its more important on the first pass.

What I'm tryin to say is it seems like the lather dries too quickly and does not provide much cushion during the shave, but once I make the first pass and whip up some more lather its a much nicer thicker lather rather than soap suds on my face. Goes on better too. Is this normal and I'm not shaving often enough or just need to spend more time making lather before the first pass? I've also noticed if I splash with hot water and not dry it off the first lather pass is a bit better but still leaves more to be desired...

From my limited experience I can say the following: go easy on the water, it's easy to have too much water. and too much water will dry out the lather quite fast. Drop in a teaspoon at a time and build for 10 to 30 seconds depending on the look of the lather. the better it looks the longer you build.

And take your time while doing this, I usually make my lather in 4 minutes. just enjoy the smells and get into the Zen.

Also, use light to no. pressure while building, too much pressure will make a bad lather. again, this is my experience, YMMV.

Do you use any preshave products (oils, balms, milks etc.) before the first pass? These probably contain some type of oil and this can degrade lather quality.

When you whip up the second batch of lather, are you stating from scratch, or just adding water, air and a maybe a little soap to lather that is already present on the brush or in the bowl? Lather formation is actually a complex bit of solution chemistry, and it actually takes some time for all of the components to properly align, it may be that just letting the lather sit for a while improves the overall quality.

Originally Posted by PWillis

I have noticed that I am always building a much better, richer, creamier lather when about to do my second pass. It would be much nicer to have an equally nice lather build up on the first pass as well cause I feel its more important on the first pass.

What I'm tryin to say is it seems like the lather dries too quickly and does not provide much cushion during the shave, but once I make the first pass and whip up some more lather its a much nicer thicker lather rather than soap suds on my face. Goes on better too. Is this normal and I'm not shaving often enough or just need to spend more time making lather before the first pass? I've also noticed if I splash with hot water and not dry it off the first lather pass is a bit better but still leaves more to be desired...

I cannot find the thread, but someone posted this exact observation not too long ago. There were many detailed responses as to why this is the case, but the general idea is that lather is made of soap, water and air. I believe that the extended exposure to the air prior to whipping up your second lather is what makes the "second lather" better than the "first lather."

I know this is a horrible explanation, but if someone can locate the previous thread on this topic, you will see some elegant, well thought out explanations.

I never do a second lather. I just lather before shaving and I have enough left over at the end to shave 2 more guys.

I guess I'm confused. You make lather twice?, Normally, if you use an Almond size dolop, YMMV or less, it makes enough lather for multiple passes, and as previously mentioned, enough for a couple of guys...

As far as how long it takes me, I'd say I make lather within like a min to a min and a half... Not four minutes. That would possibly help if I took my time and such but it seems I am in a hurry everytime I do shave. Also, I use quite a bit of pressure. Don't know why, just kinda habit that formed. Guess I'm tryin to load the brush the whole time.

No, I don't use any type of preshave oils at all either...

As far as the "second" batch, its really not a second batch but rather rebuilding of the first batch by adding a bit of water to the brush and re'whipping up more basically.

Another thing to note is I am using Williams soap pucks. Need to get a better quality soap or cream.

The things I got right now I got on the cheap so I could get started in on wet shaving like the williams puck, VDH white handled brush, etc...

Not sure what soap or cream I am going to get next but I'm thinking of the Tweezerman badger brush.

Had a fairly decent shave lastnight, and decent lather of course on second pass but also think I went way too long to shave, had several days on this growth. Wanting to start my beard up for this season, just have to time it right. Not sure about you guys but I like several days growth, then get my wife to cut my hair and make my sideburns and beard length the same length so it doesn't look like I still have sideburns once I get the beard going...

Originally Posted by PWillis

I have noticed that I am always building a much better, richer, creamier lather when about to do my second pass. It would be much nicer to have an equally nice lather build up on the first pass as well cause I feel its more important on the first pass.

A couple of months ago I read a post some where in the forums in which the poster had asked a barber at a barbershop that still offered straight shaves about lather, and she replied that she lathers the customer's face, rinses it off, and relathers--this is before the first pass. I started doing that and I've found that I do have a thicker, richer lather for that first pass. When I rinse that first lather, I don't get it 100% off, so maybe the residue of what's left helps in building that better lather. Anybody else using this method? What's your experience with it been?

The real explanation: your lather is too dry for what you call "the first batch". This is why your lather dries out on your face. For the second pass, you seem to add enough water to get the lather right. Use more water, about the amount you use for the combined passes at the beginning and you will be set. You do not typically need to add additional water to the lather for subsequent passes. Notice that you have to increase the swirling time as well.

Al raz.

Originally Posted by PWillis

As far as how long it takes me, I'd say I make lather within like a min to a min and a half... Not four minutes. That would possibly help if I took my time and such but it seems I am in a hurry everytime I do shave. Also, I use quite a bit of pressure. Don't know why, just kinda habit that formed. Guess I'm tryin to load the brush the whole time.

No, I don't use any type of preshave oils at all either...

As far as the "second" batch, its really not a second batch but rather rebuilding of the first batch by adding a bit of water to the brush and re'whipping up more basically.

Another thing to note is I am using Williams soap pucks. Need to get a better quality soap or cream.

The things I got right now I got on the cheap so I could get started in on wet shaving like the williams puck, VDH white handled brush, etc...

Not sure what soap or cream I am going to get next but I'm thinking of the Tweezerman badger brush.

Had a fairly decent shave lastnight, and decent lather of course on second pass but also think I went way too long to shave, had several days on this growth. Wanting to start my beard up for this season, just have to time it right. Not sure about you guys but I like several days growth, then get my wife to cut my hair and make my sideburns and beard length the same length so it doesn't look like I still have sideburns once I get the beard going...

+1 on Alraz response.

Pabster