Thread: Col Conk Lather Issue

It's so crazy to me that everyone's skin and shave soaps, creams and water can be so different. I think that's one thing we all can agree on is the fact that we get to fool around with so many products out in the SR world tell we find a couple we like. I recently ordered the entire Poraso line up and come to find out I love it but on a side note, and this could just be me I've come to notice my Wade&Butchers work better with my old Conk product..

I've tried Williams, Van Der Hagen, Proraso, and Col C. soaps shaving with a Merkur Safety (lathering in a mug). I didn't really like Williams or Van Der Hagen much. They lathered alright, but the Williams dried out on me pretty quick. Personal preference, didn't like the scents of either.

I've purchased more Col Conk (Amber and Bayrum) and will continue to use the Proraso (green/menthol, and will try the sandalwood soon) They are both great for me. Granted I am new to this as well, and haven't tried some of the other brands like Taylor or Old Bond Street or the other more costly brands.

The Col Conk soaps lather up well for me. I soak a pretty cheap boar brush while I shower, shake it out fairly well so it is no longer dripping and load the brush for about 45-60 seconds (with the soap still in it's own tub). I dump the water out of the mug leaving the inside only wet with no water standing in it. And in about 1-2 minutes have a great lather whipped up that doesn't dry out on my face too quickly and leaves me with more than enough for 3 passes. Might have to add a couple of drips of water, but not much and usually don't add any.

Also, I rinse my face (not a completely clean rinse, just enough to wet it) with warm water between each pass before I lather it up with the brush, this keeps the brush and later a little bit hydrated I guess and helps the lather each time.

Hope it helps, and I hope you find a soap that works well for you.

-Ben

I use the Conk's Lime soap and I actually get pretty good results with it. It's not a crazy lather like Taylor of old bond st. status, but luxurious if dialed in. Maybe try your last bit of lather building on your face. What I like to do is build in the mug only until it is just about ready, and instead of adding water directly to the mug, I just make sure my face is nice and soaked with water and do my final building on face. The water on my face is usually the perfect amount for hydrating the lather and my whiskers definitely help froth it up nice and thick.

Keep workin at it. You'll dial it in soon.

I use the Col Conk's too that came with my starter kit. I wasn't getting the lather right either buy after watching Lynn's video I just kept touching the brush under the water like he did and then lather, touch under water, lather, again touch under the water and lather until I got it just right like he did. I'm still a newb but I think if you just keep adding a little water at a time you should be able to get it right. Don't add too much at once. On another note, I also got some Vintage Blades brand shaving cream with my kit and the initial lather was great. But after just a couple minutes of shaving it was drying out and as the razor was cutting through the hairs and the cream it looked like it was snowing. No kidding! Little dry flakes of shaving cream were flying everywhere. I threw it in the trash!