Here's what I'm using:
Merkur Futur (usually set at 2 or 3), Feather blades, EJ Best Badger
A few soaps:
Truefitt & Hill Luxury Soap
Classic Shaving unscented soap
The problem I'm having is that I can't seem to get my lather slick enough to let the razor glide over that "cushion". I have experienced a nice, slick lather a time or two, but I can't figure out how I did it exactly.
Here's how I make my lather...
1. Soak brush in my big, honkin shaving mug, while I take a hot shower
2. Rinse soap with hot water
3. Empty mug, and reheat with hot water, filling up the sink under it
4. Soak brush again and let it drip a little
5. Swirl on the soap for 5-10 seconds (lather starts foaming up)
6. Move to the big mug (only damp from where it was emptied) and start swirling
7. Swirl and Swirl until lather is big and thick
8. (Sometimes I add a little water, sometimes a lot)
My guesses are (and PLEASE tell me if I'm right or wrong):
When the lather is thick (without adding water) it seems to dry up on my face too quickly and becomes sticky
When the lather is shiny and runs a little (not liquid, but slides around) it stays wet on my face, but doesn't seem to offer any "protection" against the blade. Slippery to the fingers, but not to the razor. The razor has a tendency to "grab" also.
So, how do I know which way to go? Is there a better choice of soap? Should I move to a cream? Would a pre-shave oil keep it slick? What should the lather look like/act like/feel like?
Your comments would help!
Merkur Futur (usually set at 2 or 3), Feather blades, EJ Best Badger
A few soaps:
Truefitt & Hill Luxury Soap
Classic Shaving unscented soap
The problem I'm having is that I can't seem to get my lather slick enough to let the razor glide over that "cushion". I have experienced a nice, slick lather a time or two, but I can't figure out how I did it exactly.
Here's how I make my lather...
1. Soak brush in my big, honkin shaving mug, while I take a hot shower
2. Rinse soap with hot water
3. Empty mug, and reheat with hot water, filling up the sink under it
4. Soak brush again and let it drip a little
5. Swirl on the soap for 5-10 seconds (lather starts foaming up)
6. Move to the big mug (only damp from where it was emptied) and start swirling
7. Swirl and Swirl until lather is big and thick
8. (Sometimes I add a little water, sometimes a lot)
My guesses are (and PLEASE tell me if I'm right or wrong):
When the lather is thick (without adding water) it seems to dry up on my face too quickly and becomes sticky
When the lather is shiny and runs a little (not liquid, but slides around) it stays wet on my face, but doesn't seem to offer any "protection" against the blade. Slippery to the fingers, but not to the razor. The razor has a tendency to "grab" also.
So, how do I know which way to go? Is there a better choice of soap? Should I move to a cream? Would a pre-shave oil keep it slick? What should the lather look like/act like/feel like?
Your comments would help!