Can't lather with Omega 10098 worth beans

[Jamie B]

Hi, first - it's late for me, hope this is coherent.

Been trying different methods to lather with the Omega 10098, my first Boar brush, without success.

I picked the 98 for 2 reasons: first, I wanted to try an inexpensive soap brush and the Omega's were highly recommended; and second, of the locally available Omegas I could find, the 98 was most comfortable in my hand.

I've been loading my brush following the method in the B & B tutorial, and Zach's method from SMF, plus some other experimenting. I have been trying to lather in a bowl after loading my brush, because that's normally how I get a super lather with my badger brush.

I just seem to always end up with small amounts of crappy lather.

Hope that's enough background info. Anyone have any advice, other than just keep trying? thanks a lot, jb.

[Blondie]

Keep trying. Couple things to think about, the Boar soaks up water, so you may have to add more water when you are actually lathering. Also, when you think you have enough soap loaded, load that much again. You have to be a little more forceful with a boar as well. It is just a different tool. Also, I believe the 10098 is one of the "Pro" brushes. They are pretty densely packed, and take a little more time and work to break in. If you feel you are not getting lather that is adequate to shave with, just run practice lathers with it. Make sure you let it dry completely so the end of the hairs will start to split. That's when it will really start to shine. And don't be afraid to get a little rougher with it than you do a badger, they can take a little more firm hand. Dig that thing into the soap, and when you move to the bowl, don't be afraid to mash it down and "splay" the bristles out. Keep working on it and you will be happy in a couple of weeks.

[Andy]

I find that the boar brushes take a little while to break in before they will lather well.
You could speed the process up by using the brush to create lather in your hand with some cheap soap.

[Jamie B]

thanks for the input, guys. jb

[gollum83]

Keep trying. Couple things to think about, the Boar soaks up water, so you may have to add more water when you are actually lathering.

The easiest way to get around this, or at least what I've found to be the easiest way to get around this, is to just let the brush soak for a couple of minutes. Do that and the bristle should be throughly saturated with water and won't suck water while you're lathering.

[cvac]

Definitely soak the brush before attempting to make lather.

One thing you may find is that the boar will release some of the water when you use vigorous motions to load from your soap puck (or face lathering). I'd actually suggest adding a very small amounts of water very slowly because of this. You may actually end up adding too much and then your lather will be ruined if you're not carefull.

Bottom line:

If you are getting a thick, dense soap paste, you need more water.

If you are getting a milky bubbly lather, you need more soap and not more water.

I would also suggest doing many test lathers to help break the boar in. Don't be alarmed if the tips of the hairs split. They're supposed to do that and it will make the tips softer on your face.

[Fozz7769]

The 10098 is a fairly big brush. As mentioned she is going to need a good soak & alot of product. It will take a while to break in too. Be patient 7 this beast will reward you.

[brian1g]

Like several others have stated, soak the brush before shaving. You may also have better luck face lathering while the brush is being broken in.

[Jamie B]

Thanks again for the input, it is much appreciated!

I have been soaking, but thanks for the tip. I've soaked and shaken the water out per the B&B tutorial, and I've soaked and not shaken per Zach's tutorial. I practiced today and did have better luck being more aggressive when loading the brush (more aggressive than I normally am with my badger). Thanks!

[cvac]

Don't be afraid to be aggro with the boar. Omega boar brushes are pretty tough and I doubt you're going to hurt it by really smashing it in to the soap puck.