Question so far...

[chris_nor_cal]

I just started the whole brush deal and I've read all the videos and I like it. My face has finally got used to the double edged razor and I dont get irritation NEARLY as bad as I used to. The problem is I dont think I'm getting a good lather from my cream and brush and I don't know why.

I have an Art of Shaving Silvertip #3 and the AOS Lavender Cream/PreTreatment/AfterShave Lotion. I use about a small marble size dab of the cream into a presoaked brush and whip away for about 50 swirls and I don't get nearly the kind of results as the video. What am I doing wrong? Is it just the cream?

Also...My brush seems awful floppy and soft. I thought the point of the brush was to "rough up" or exfoliate your skin with the tip of the brush prior to shaving, Yet I see people here say don't mash the brush up flat against your face because it may damage the brush. The bristles on my brush aren't still, which the kid who sold it to me said was good. I basically use mine as a big floppy paint brush--is this correct?:cursing: Thanks

P.S. I posted earlier that I was having a rough time with the irritation in the beginning and some of you said it may be the Merkur blades. Well, the irritation for the most part has subsided and the sampler pack arrived today. I'm looking forward to trying out different blades to find out which are the best and then I'm going to order a ton of them.

[texasPI]

You might try adjusting you cream/water ratio. Do you soak your brush and lather in a bowl?

[chris_nor_cal]

let me clarify...

1. fill bowl with very hot water.
2. add brush
3. shower
4. dump water from bowl
5. ad shaving cream to brush
6. whip
7. shave
8. relather
9. shave
10. rinse w/ cold water and apply after shave

[Woknblues]

you might have too much water if you are going marble size and not getting results. don't be afraid to work that brush. trying to be too gentle on the brush is a sure fire way to frustration when trying to get lather. I don't know the AOS silverti[p, but I am no fan of the floppy brush myself. still, you should be able to whip up gobs of lather with it, I would guess. just increase the intensity and decrease the water. see what you get next.

[Must Dash]

Try a bigger marble. Also, consider squeezing / shaking more water out of the brush. It's easier to add water as you go than to extract it. (I'm still trying to get the hang of this lathering thing and I've been at it since May. Different brushes / soaps / creams / water produce very different results.)