Lather up?

[Mr. Clean]

A point of curiosity...While reading the forums it seems as though there is a lot of emphasis towards the building of mounds o' lather (either on the face or in the bowl). My experience has been that lots of lather (luxurious though it seems) isn't necessary for a smooth shave, but rather wet whiskers and a complete coverage of soap/cream. Am I missing something, or have I read too much into the explanations? What say you?

[Jim]

Its all about the lather! Thick, rich, slippery, wet, goodness.

[BroJohn]

The lather is a pleasant feeling akin to faceturbation.

-- John Gehman

[Patrick D]

IMO, your 1/2 right Mr. Clean, (can I call you MC for short?), Although the lather doesn't have to be an inch thick on your face, the creamier and slippery it is, the more protection and benefits your going to get from it.

That's the main reason I build the lather on my face starting always with a good quality cream first. I get all the good things about it applied directly to my skin and face and the soap & additional water that comes next turns it into a slip'n'slide on my face.

[qhsdoitall]

We love lather but, you're right, a thin layer of slick cushioning lather may do the trick and cut down on clogging a razor but hey, it's warm, thick, slick, oh so great smelling LATHER! Woo Hoo!

[Jfala]

Slip, sliding away...

- Jeff

[TromboneGuy]

I actually find that I get a better shave from building the lather on my face, whether I'm using a soap or a cream. The brush doesn't explode into piles of lather like in the pictorials here, but there seems to be an endless supply left on my face.

[Patrick D]

I actually find that I get a better shave from building the lather on my face, whether I'm using a soap or a cream. The brush doesn't explode into piles of lather like in the pictorials here, but there seems to be an endless supply left on my face.

EJ, we should start a club and all get jackets! SuperLatherer's unite,,,HUA!

[TromboneGuy]

[Stauff]

I'd say this is practically a lather-building forum. Only thick as mud is good enough!

[Steerpike]

I don't think it has to be wildly thick, but if it is really thin it can dry out if you shave slowly.

[FloppyShoes]

I agree with most of the gentlemen who have posted. A good lather will improve the quality of your shave. A thin layer can and wil dry out, especially if you're using a soap. This is bad news bears and invites nicks, weepers, skipping, cuts, burn and severed facial features (if you use a straight). But, if it's too thick you can't see what you're doing and my misjudge where the lather ends and your face starts. I find a layer just thick enough to be opaque is ideal (around 3-4 mm or 1/8 inch at the thinnest)

[red2]

I have some observations to share regarding my own changing lathering habits.

After really understanding the idea of beard reduction with multiple passes, I have made more lather so that I will have enough for three or more passes and some touch up. I lather in a bowl now instead of my face. I used to shave with one pass every two or three days. Now I have learned how to do multiple passes and shave every day with shorter stuble.

I have noticed that after gathering ten or more soaps and creams (several years of supply for a frugal latherer) I no longer have an incentive to be thrifty with the lather. I shaved for years with williams before discovering this luxurous world. A puck of williams would last me a year or more. Even with my meager amount of soaps and creams (which I fear is only the beginning), I feel really could shave for a decade or more with my current stock.

I also agree that when I make my lather to watery or thin that it dries out by the third passes and doesn't offer sufficient lubrication.

Anyway just my thoughts FWIW. cheers

[letterk]

What is required from lather is that it is slippery and provides protection during the shave. The mounds of thick, luxurious lather is more for enjoyment.

[Mr. Clean]

What is required from lather is that it is slippery and provides protection during the shave. The mounds of thick, luxurious lather is more for enjoyment.

Aha! I do believe that is the crux of the bisquit (hat tip to Mr. Zappa). That and the blade clogging aspect of too much (I know, I know some believe there is no such thing ) lather.

A point or two of clarification, I have sufficient lather available for multiple passes. I have practiced multiple passes for as long as I remember, up to and including my years with mutli-blade cartridges. I don't make the "perfect" lather everytime, so if after the initial lathering I need more before it is only a brush stroke away.

BroJohn, I broke out the old dictionary, but couldn't find an entry for faceturbation
FloppyShoes, did you get a ruler out for that measurement?

[qhsdoitall]

Facerturbation. We make up our own language here.

These are my own with credit to anyone that has used them before me.

Lathergasm = so much lather that shave cream explodes out of the bowl.
Latherholic = One addicted to the making of lather.
DElunatic = A Double Edged shaving nut.

And my favorite.
ADholic = Acquisition Disorder Addict. Hi, my name is Rich and I'm addicted to acquiring stuff, like DE shaving related items, books, DVDs, cooking & cutlery, pipes, cigars, tobacco, wine & spirits and so on.

I make enough lather for 4+ passes without having to reload. I know it can be wasteful but, I have enough creams and soaps to last several years and I need to let my ADholic inner child out to play once in a while.

[FloppyShoes]

FloppyShoes, did you get a ruler out for that measurement?

Sorry, I'm an engineer. I write more math everyday than english. I can see the matrix.

[Mr. Clean]

Facerturbation. We make up our own language here.

I suspected as much, and intended as a joke. Really not that uncommon. On other forums we use similar language as well as acronyms. So many acronyms that literal dictionaries have been created to assist those new to the "language".

FloppyShoes, I get it! I was a network engineer in a past life and had to work with formulas to establish traffic patterns vs. infrastructure. I hate math! I now see your location which also explains the metric reference

[mark w]

Slip, sliding away...

- Jeff

lather love...... the love that dare not speak it's name?????