How to use soaps and creams?

I've been using a SR for about 4 months now, and while I'm still figuring out what I like as far a soaps and creams go, I feel like I have a stupid question.

I have the SRD soap and do like it...I whip up a lather right in the container it comes in, and when I'm done I wipe the excess out with my finger and call it good.

The AoS cream is what I like best so far...after soaking the badger while showering, I shake a lot of water out of it, just get a little cream on the bristles and then face lather. A little goes a long way.

The one product I have and don't like, or I'm doing it wrong, is the Castle Forbes cream, the only way I've tried this is to take a dab of it with my finger, and make lather in a mug...but never really happy with it. The consistency of this stuff is so unlike the AoS cream, it seems strange that they are both considered cream.

I haven't tried it yet, in fear of making big mess, but is it acceptable to take a wetted brush, try to pick up some of the CF right out of the container, and then try to face lather? I'm thinking the introduction of any amount water right into the CF product is going to ruin it.

Advice?

Thanks.

Paul

CF is one of the best or the best creams out there. I usually take a properly wet brush and use a pea sized dollop on the brush and work the lather right on my face. There's loads left over.

You should be able to lather it in a bowl no problem as well. Put a dab (or snurdle's worth, if you will ;)) in the bottom of your bowl and perhaps a tablespoon of water to let it soak while you take a shower. It helps to soften the hard cream. CF is a water hog, so when you think you've added enough water add some more.

Like TBS said, Castle Forbes is one of the best out there so don't give up on it yet.

MSPSTR8,

Take a dollop (English snurdle) and smear in into a thin layer in your shaving bowl with your finger. Add ca 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of water and swirl to wet. Let soak as advised above, then make lather.

Castle Forbes is a superb 'cream' :)
The 'smearing of dollops' method works very well for Cella as well :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

If you like face lathering, then rub a small pea-to-almond size bit onto your face, then face-lather like you are used to. Use a little more water, bit by bit.

Castle forbes really is great when you get used to its differences.

Enjoy!

Paul,

Castle Forbes is a superb cream, although tempestuous. It asks for a lot and then delivers magic. The way I lather with is this: I give my brush three gentle shakes, turn the Castle Forbes tub upside down, and then load the brush with about 20 or so swirls, depending on the density and the type of my brush, just enough to lightly coat the tips of the brush. From there, whether I face or bowl lather, I feed the lather water. Lots of water. If somewhere during the shave I feel I need more lather, a few more swirls over the cream does it.

:deadhorse: At risk of being redundant, Castle Forbes truly is one of the greats, However you decide to use it. I prefer a heated scuttle, as Ryan82 said, Take a small amount, A little goes a long way. Pea size is fine, smear it in the bottom of a scuttle or a mug, any bowl will do. Once you do that, add about a teaspoon of hot water. While the hot water is breaking down the dense cream, you can do your pre shave, A heated towel perhaps, Pre Shave oil, etc....Give the cream a minute to soften, it doesn't take long. I find this works really well, especially with dense creams. This one takes a bit to whip up, but your patience will be rewarded. Once the hot water has the cream melted, start whipping, and adding small amounts of water. It'll take some practice, but I think once you get the hang of this cream, You'll truly enjoy it as we do.

Thanks for all of the advice...it was operator error on my part. Still need to get the amount of water figured out, started with a little too much tonight, but was a way better experience than previous uses. My method tonight was to use a regular bowl (scuttle is on the want list) so I could work it a little better than in the bottom of a mug...started out by smearing it in the bottom of the bowl and then adding a little (too much) hot water, allowed it to sit while doing a quick strop. I don't think it was the CF that did it, but I'm pretty sure I just performed my best SR shave in the four months I've been doing it, no touch up with a cartridge required...negligible burn with the Alum block, and just a refreshing feeling with the Clubman AS. Pretty darn happy right now!

Thanks again guys!

Paul