Thread: advice: how i can make a good lather?

hello friend i have one problem.... how i can make a good creamy and THICK lather??

how much cream should i put in the bowl?

i use pure badger brush (london shaving company)
geo trumper rose and coconut shaving cream with bowl...

thanks

When I use creams, I usually dispense as much as about the size of a large almond. I'm not sure what may be done to change the texture of the cream. Perhaps use warm instead of hot water on the brush. Just a guess tho.

I have both the proraso cream and soap, and, I find that the soap will provide a denser lather. Don't know if that helps though.

You may need to shake out a bit of water before you take the brush to your face.

I read a post on one of the old straight razor message boards from someone who received a barbershop shave where the barber mixed the shaving cream with a pre shave oil instead of water. That's right, no water at all. I am sure this would fit the bill for a rich, thick lather that was also very lubricating. Unfortunately the post was light on any further details, it didn't mention whether or not the barber used a brush or made the mix in his hands, nor does the post say how much cream and how much pre shave was used.
Has anyone here tried this? Or is anyone familiar with this practice?
It is definitely something I would be keen to try but I really wouldn't know where to begin making this mix. Also, at the moment I am using Castle Forbes Pre Shave, and at 25 GBP a bottle, it is not something I am keen to waste.
Any advice or opinions will be most welcome.
Regards,
Alex

I usually wet the brush with hot water. You'll need to experiment with how much water to shake out as it seems to vary a little from cream to cream. I usually let the excess drip out of the brush, then one flick. Using Vulfix or Taylor creams I would make two trips around the container with the brush, then build the lather on my face. You might try building the lather on your face instead of in the bowl and see what happens.

Also try to "inject" some air into the mix too. I often will run the brush over top of the cream for a few laps as well as right inside it. I also will mix in a sort of egg mixing motion. Moving up and down the sides of the bowl whilst moving around. Experiment. Don't be afraid to start with less water than add as required. I used to make the mistake of not shaking enough water out of the brush. I would end up with more watery foam than cream.

When I use a cream I usually let most of the water drip out of my brush and just dab the end of the brush lightly in the cream to pick up a few pea sized morsels of cream then add a little more water to the brush and work it into my beard. Of course I'm using castle Forbes which produces incredible amounts of lather. You have to experiment with your brand.

I soak my brush in hot water with some baking soda in it while i take a shower. The baking soda helps remove the "hard" minerals in tap water which helps produce a better lather. I also find that the water feels softer and slicker as a result of this addition. Give it a try.

I use Trumper's and Taylors cream. I rub about
an almond sized dallop on my face. I then wet my
brush and give it a gentle shake or two. I then
spend a couple of minutes building the lather.

I always have enough lather left in the brush
for two more passes.


Terry

I have found that the hotter the water the easier it is to make good lather, so I microwave an inch of water in a small coffee cup and wet my brush with that, made a big difference for me. Now I use less cream and get more lather.

...I will have to try the baking soda trick...always something new!

Dave