Castle-Forbes: flaky lather??!!

I use Castle Forbes Lime shaving cream as part of my setup, and have often noticed that whenever the lather I've applied to my face starts to dry, it flakes off in a way that looks like a bad case of facial dandruff. Now, I realize this is probably due to a faulty soap/water ration and me not shaving quickly enough, but I was curious if any of you have run into something similar. TOBS avocado also seems to do the same, but not as bad. My other soaps and creams don't do this (Cella, Razorock original)

I have the same problem with my Proraso soap. I had also assumed it was a combination of not enough water and shaving too slowly. But, it only happens when I lather directly on my face, not in the mug. Of course, now that I think about it, I definitely use more water when I build my lather in the mug. This is the only soap that I have used so far, so I can't really offer much else. How do you build your lather?

Sounds like not enough water. Try adding a bit more, right before you shave. I love CF, All of them, especially Lime. (Tobs avacado is awesome too) Here's what I do. First, I use a scuttle, A double, It's quite large and holds heat. It's over 6 inches in diameter. I use about 1/2 a demitasse spoon of cream, smear it in the bottom of the scuttle, and let it heat melt it a bit.
I'm usually applying pre shave oil at this point. I come back, and start mixing the cream around in the bottom of the scuttle until I have proto lather. Once the consistency is even, start adding water. There are variances from cream to cream, so you have to experiment. Some take more than others, and are more forgiving.

So, start with a tablespoon or so (OF WATER!) I eyeball it...whip for about 1 min tops. If you get foam, keep going, push it down, and keep whipping...With CF, You should have mounds of lather by now. If it's flat looking, add more water...When I first lather up, I go and strop, When I get back, the lather may be dry on my face, but no worries, because I place a hot towel on my face for about 30 seconds. Check your lather in the bowl, It may need another dash of water, a teaspoon or so...Whip it up...Should be light and fluffy. Re apply, shave....

Your lather should be fine with just a couple of whips of the brush in between passes. Sometimes you need to add water.....

Here are some pics I sent to a friend once. Maybe they'll be helpful. The cream in the pic is Xpec, and I probably used too much, could have used 1/2 that amount.

I agree with the above advice.
Sounds like you need to use a bit more water.
Another thing to experiment with is water-temperature.
I like to use warm, not hot, water on a few of my soaps and creams.
CF seems to break down easier than a few others I have when the water is too hot.
It is absolutely a fantastic shaving soap(I think of it as soap, not cream).
Few can match the qualities of this product. IMO

Wow a tablespoon of CF? I use a pea sized dollup and I have enough lather to shave a platoon. It shouldn't be drying at all. Just increase the water. You can't get much better than this stuff. (Don't let Obie see this thread though)

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Wow a tablespoon of CF? I use a pea sized dollup and I have enough lather to shave a platoon. It shouldn't be drying at all. Just increase the water. You can't get much better than this stuff. (Don't let Obie see this thread though)

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He uses a demitasse spoon as he mentioned. I don't know about your spoons, but 1/2 of a demitasse spoon is about the volume of a pea in my house.

I used to experience similar results with Castle Forbes and actually sold off my Lavender as I just never got a good lather with it. After I started face lathering exclusively, I decided to give Castle Forbes another try. Sure enough, I get incredible fool proof lathers from CF. Maybe try face lathering and see how that works for you. It drastically changed my impression of this cream.

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Originally Posted by Fbones24

I used to experience similar results with Castle Forbes and actually sold off my Lavender as I just never got a good lather with it. After I started face lathering exclusively, I decided to give Castle Forbes another try. Sure enough, I get incredible fool proof lathers from CF. Maybe try face lathering and see how that works for you. It drastically changed my impression of this cream.

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Blasphemer! A plague on your house for saying such things! :w

I would suspect that you experienced similar results for similar reasons, most notably a lack of hydration. CF is great world class product, but it is one of those water hungry creams that simply demands more hydration. Put it this way, once you think you've added enough water, add some more. Like others have said, you'll get enough lather to shave an army :)

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Originally Posted by Birnando

I agree with the above advice.

CF seems to break down easier than a few others I have when the water is too hot.

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I've noticed that also. Definitely don't let it get too hot as that can also cause the behavior you're describing (disintegrating lather).

It does indeed sound like I'm not using enough water with this product - I almost always face lather, and the amount of water that works for me is based on other soaps - I'll give it another try for my next shave! Another thing I notice is that results vary depending on the brush I use: if I use my Rooney Emillion, which tends to soak up lots of water, I really have to increase the amount of water... and end up with enough lather for a week's worth of shaving... it's almost indecent!

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Originally Posted by Oolong

the amount of water that works for me is based on other soaps - I'll give it another try for my next shave!

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Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Since no two soaps/creams are alike you have to deal with them on a per-product basis, relying on visual cues rather than measurements. And then the use of different brushes complicates things even further....... all part of the game, my friend :)

OK folks, here's a bit of an update! I tried applying some of your tips and used more water than I would usually do, and the result is indeed interesting. My water/soap ratio has yet to be perfected, but the lather was very different and better. I think I was using way too much soap in the past - really loaded the bristles with it - the lather was perhaps a little thin to my liking, but in terms of shaving results, what a difference! Aside from not flaking off like it used to, the lather was very stable and provided better cushion. Zero irritation and applying the alum block confirmed the smoothness of the shave. Thanks again to you all for your extremely helpful tips and comments!

It does take a while to get the lathering properties of different products, like has been said is not a Castle Forbes thing. I like to face lather the castle forbes but when it comes to Fitjar the bowl works best for me. There are so many variables that it has to be what works best for you, but if it is drying and flaking then more water is needed.

When you have not used a bowl and are ready for a second pass, try running the hot tap so it is just dripping and then wave your brush under once to pick up a few more drops of water, this can help the lather build again in your brush as you face lather.
Sam