Thread: C. O. Bigelow

I am using C. O. Bigelow cream and havent got the right mix yet. When can you tell you have added enough water. Also how much glycerin can I add to it. Love the information on this forum it has helped very much. Thanks for your help

I let my badger brush soak in a mug of water for a minute or two, then take it out of the water, let the "big" run-off drain (ie: 2-3 seconds), and give it 1 gentle shake to keep it from dripping. I then put a 5/16 long string of Bigelow paste on the palm of my hand and start making lather for about 15-20 seconds. Just enough that the spray from the brush stops. Then I start face lathering, and keep going until the lather thickens (45-60 seconds). I often have to add some water at the 20-30 second point, and sometimes also at the 50-60 second point if I used an 1/8" more cream than usual, or shook too vigorously. The lather should be very wet, but not bubbly or runny. When I first started, I thought the lather should be thick like canned shave gel. Add more water, and it gets light and fluffy - which is correct.

After I lather, I strop my razor. Then I use a fingertip to clear the lather away from the end of my sideburn so I can see where to put the razor for the 1st stroke. If the lather clears away easily then I've used enough water. If it's sticky, then I didn't and the razor will drag on the lather, causing me to use slightly more pressure to overcome the resistance - and guarantee I'll get some razor burn on my sensitive neck skin.

Too little lather will cause runny lather that won't fluff up, and you can see through. Note that the correct amount of water starts off runny too. You have to whip it up with the brush for 30-60 seconds to make it into light fluffy lather. ie: It thickens as you whip it. If it starts getting too thick, so that it has body like merainge, then add more water. If it doesn't rinse off your razor easily, then you need to add more water.

ps: Learn to make lather with just the cream before you add glycerin. Adding too much glycerin makes it hard for the lather to fluff up. Eventually, you'll probably be able to add 2-3 drops (3-4 if you use cream + soap + glycerin). If you want the glycerin to "keep the lather from drying out quickly", then you probably just need more water in your lather. Eventually, you may want to add Glycerin to help your skin feel moisturized rather than dry / tight after shaving.

JSan,

Pix of your lather and some more description of your technique would be most helpful in aiding you.

=)

Today knowing that the lather doesnt need to be thick like canned I added more water. I dipped the tip of my straight in it and rinsed added more water tell it rinsed easy. Had a good shave less irritation then the first 5. Thanks for the help.

I soak my brush for about a minute then give it 2 good shakes, about a 1/2" of cream in the cup then whip it up. I have put a few (no more than 5) drops of Glycerin in my mug and then I just adjust the water a little.

Originally Posted by JohnG10

ps: Learn to make lather with just the cream before you add glycerin.

Yeah, what he said.

I get best results when I skip the scuttle and face/palm lather with CO Bigelow. I get the lather going by putting a dollop on my palm and lather until the brush is loaded- Then I apply it to my face. If I need more water I always run a fine stream from the sink into the back end of the knot. That way the water runs down the hair and into the lather on the end of the brush. Try this and see if you get what you're looking for.