Lather issues

[deryan]

I never seem to be able to get enough lather in my brush to sufficently coat my face, I lather on about half of my face and the brush seems almost empty.
Only thing I can come up with is so much of the lather works its way up the sides of my mug as I create it.
Maybe I just need to spend more time working the lather, but it is typically climbing out of the top of my mug so I dont know.. so frustrating

Some product info if it matters:
best badger brush
T&H 1805 cream
dont know the exact word for the type of shave mug but look just like this: http://www.amazon.com/White-Ceramic-Shaving-Shave-Handle/dp/B005798YIE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329583814&sr=8-1

Thanks in advance!

[DC_MPA]

That is a nice mug and you are using an amazing cream with T&H. Here is my run down, I would use an almond size of cream, soak your brush for 2-3 minutes at least, whip the dollop of cream in the bowl clockwise or counterclockwise. As the cream rises to the top (I have the same issue as you do) I lift my brush to the rim and whip clockwise or counterclockwise around the edge of the bowl to get the cream back down. If that almond size amount of cream doesn't have you with a bowl of whipped cream like lather after a minute of whipping with your brush, then add a half teaspoon of water each time for 30-45 seconds until you get that consistency.

You will end up with so much cream that you could shave 2-3 people.

[cluelessdude]

1) Use more product
2) Soak your brush while you shower. Once you are ready to shave do not shake or squeeze the brush. Just flip it upside down and naturally let whatever water comes out for about 5 seconds.

Your brush needs the rest of the water. That is the key. Do these 2 things and you'll have great lather.

[dcobranchi]

BTW, that style of mug is called "apothecary."

[jbradley]

The water in the brush is the key. All brushes are different. Mine, I give 5, not 4, not 6, 5 gentle shakes, the water is perfect. Plenty of lather, not too runny, doesn't dry out to quick. My system: Put brush in a cup, fill with hot water, set in sink of hot water. Let brush & cup soak & warm. Finish shower, drain water from sink & cup, replace. Brush hair, deodorant, etc. Take brush, shake 5 times, load brush. I normally do the ABC's twice in my head to time it. Pour water from cup, put loaded brush in cup to warm lather. Brush teeth as lather warms. (I have 2 sinks) Wet face, lather. WTG pass, lather, ATG pass, later, XTG pass, wash tons of lather down sink.
Johnnie

[cvac]

Without pics or a video it is hard to assess what is going on. Lathering cream in a mug is not that difficult. Your product to water ratio is probably off. You either need more product or you need to add more or less water. If you lather is airy foam with a bunch of tiny bubbles that means you need more product and less water. If your lather is sticky and pasty, try adding water using a very small amount at a time.

[Banjoman]

Welcome and check out Mantics videos on youtube.

[deryan]

Thanks to all for the input... already got a big improvement by following the advice, I still may not be sold on lathering in my apothecary mug as much as I like it.

[laddy45]

Welcome and check out Mantics videos on youtube.

+1 Check out Mantic59's video on lathering shaving creams on YouTube, and welcome to B&B!

[Vivasanti]

Dont forget to plunge your brush in between swirls to get some of that cremey goodness out of the brush.

[deryan]

my problem is never amount of lather created but amount of lather on/in the brush its self.

[wstruth]

There's quite a few good recommendations here. I would add try lathering in your hand till you get it down. It gives you an immediate feel (literally) of what you are doing. Its what I do when trying out a new soap or cream.

[Gatsby]

+1 Check out Mantic59's video on lathering shaving creams on YouTube, and welcome to B&B!

+1. We really can't recommends Mantic's videos enough.
Be sure to check out the wiki and the stickies: you'll find a wealth of information there too!

Let us know how it goes, and welcome to B&B!

[deryan]

Before I ever bought a DE razor I had watched mantics videos again again again and then 6 more times, I think the big problem was not enough water in the brush I was shaking way too much of it out.

[phenix78_99]

1) Fill your sink with hot water
2) Dunk the entire brush into the hot water and place your DE razor on the handle to keep the brush submerged
3) Grab your favorite tub of shaving cream (TOBS is amazing)
4) Splash your face with the hot water in the sink until your face is warm and moist
5) Take the brush out of the water, don't shake it and swirl it in the cream 2 to 3 rotations
6) Work the lather up on your face, you don't need a mug unless you have a bar of soap

[Useless shaver]

Good advice above: see Mantic videos.

You'll get it!

[Go West Young Man]

That's not a great mug to make lather in - it's too narrow to really get the brush swirling right.
Maybe try face lathering or get a cereal bowl / latte mug, it might help.