Thread: Edwin Jagger Soap help.

Hey guys, hoping some one can help me out here. I have some Edwin Jagger soap, in sandalwood. My problem is that I seem to have a hard time getting good lather out of it. I have been searching the site considerably and following all recommendations and such. Even re-read the wiki's instructions on getting good lather from a soap. But it's hit or miss.

Here's some background/steps I do to help. I have been straight shaving for at least 10 months now. With creams, I think I have it figured out pretty good. With soaps I have been struggling. Just found the site recently, which is when I bought a soap to try out.

I use an AOS best brush that with creams, works really well. I soak the brush for 3-5 minutes. I put water on top of the puck to soften it. I then squeeze the brush out, and swirl the brush on the puck until the ends are covered with soap. It is not foamy at the time, but the tips are covered. I then proceed to swirl in my mug. I have swirled, added water, pumped, all of that, and usually end up with barely enough lather to cover my face for the first pass.

I know this is one of those questions, but I thought I would give it a shot. Any help or ideas would greatly be appreciated.

I have the buckthorn version and can tell you it's not the best on it's own(PERSONNAL TASTE). It's good when I use it for Übberlather with other creams.

cheers

It may not be you, I have EJ Sandalwood shave cream which I don't use, ever. I tried it once and never had much luck with it. I also have a water softner. I'd use it to Uber soap if anything. Now, Someone may chime in and say it's great. If I were you, I'd uber the soap. Mix a bit a shave cream in with it, Unscented or Sandalwood, add a few drops of glycerin and your good to go...

So here's where a dissenting opinion comes in .

I've been using the Sea Buckthorn soap for several months, and though it's not at the top of my list, it's still a great performer. I have treated water that tends toward the softer side. I soak my brush and the top of the puck in hot water while showering, then I attack the puck. I load the brush for about 30-40 seconds longer than with other soaps I use, and I have no problem getting lather.

So, it could be that 1) you aren't letting your brush and soap soak long enough, 2) you have really hard water, and/or 3) you aren't loading for long enough.

Just my 2¢.

Hello, dynaman05:

I've had no problem lathering with the Edwin Jagger soap. Mine is the aloe vera. Although I don't consider it one of the great soaps, nevertheless it should not give you that much trouble lathering. Edwin Jagger soaps do require a lot of water and a relatively long brush-swirling process.

One way to solve your problem would be to perhaps face-lather. Keep your brush slightly wet and swirl it on the soap for, at least, 30 seconds. Then lather on your face, adding more water as needed. Let's what happens.

The other thing to do with is to, as my good friend Zib suggests, uberlather: add an almond size of cream to your mug, about five drops of glycerin, and give the brush a good swirl on the soap. Then make your lather, being mindful of water.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by dynaman05

Hey guys, hoping some one can help me out here. I have some Edwin Jagger soap, in sandalwood. My problem is that I seem to have a hard time getting good lather out of it. I have been searching the site considerably and following all recommendations and such. Even re-read the wiki's instructions on getting good lather from a soap. But it's hit or miss.

Here's some background/steps I do to help. I have been straight shaving for at least 10 months now. With creams, I think I have it figured out pretty good. With soaps I have been struggling. Just found the site recently, which is when I bought a soap to try out.

I use an AOS best brush that with creams, works really well. I soak the brush for 3-5 minutes. I put water on top of the puck to soften it. I then squeeze the brush out, and swirl the brush on the puck until the ends are covered with soap. It is not foamy at the time, but the tips are covered. I then proceed to swirl in my mug. I have swirled, added water, pumped, all of that, and usually end up with barely enough lather to cover my face for the first pass.

I know this is one of those questions, but I thought I would give it a shot. Any help or ideas would greatly be appreciated.

It is possible that you are not letting the soap soften on the surface.

Leave some water on the surface of the puck overnight. Then load the
heck out of the brush. I like to lather in a bigger than average lathering
bowl and this plastic kitchen container works well especially when
combined with face lathering. The big container lets me add water
a teaspoon at a time.

And, no, you do not have to stand on your head or sideways to make a lather.
BTW this is the lather left after two well lathered passes.

The next time you use the Edwin Jagger soap, putw ater on the puck and let it soak for 5 minutes.

Next, don't squeeze the water out of your brush. Just shake it. Pour off the water from the puck and swirl your wet brush on the puck, as Obie suggests for 30 seconds. Forget the bowl. Just apply the lather directly to your face. If necessary, dip the tip of the brush in some water and repeat.

You should be able to get a decent lather for shaving.

Of course, the best way to use EJ soap, as the previous posts have suggested is to superlather or uberlather it by mixing it with some shaving cream or shaving cream plus gycerin.

Just my 2 cents.

Thank you all for your input. I will give your suggestions a shot and we'll see what happens. Thanks again, guys.