Bowl lathering and face lathering

**docfitch** · 01-08-2011, 09:22 AM

I have pretty much been face lathering since I got back into DE shaving. Before, when I used the M3 and soap-and-brush, I would lather up in the bowl and apply the lather to my face (no nice long lathering process). I know that the use of the brush for awhile helps to prep the beard, so, my question is: how many of you spend as much time applying the bowl-prepared lather as you would if you face lathered?

Ken

**BigFoot** · 01-08-2011, 09:41 AM

I primarily face lather with soap, bowl lather with cream. The entire process takes longer mixing the lather in a bowl and then applying it. But for actual brush time on my face, I think they are pretty equal. I love the feeling of a nice soft brush on my face. "Brushturbating"

**docfitch** · 01-08-2011, 09:50 AM

"Brushturbating"[/QUOTE]

Good one. I also enjoy the badger hair working the lather in. That's why I have been face lathering.

Ken

**Genie** · 01-08-2011, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by HDStreetGlide

"Brushturbating"

**gunter** · 01-08-2011, 01:02 PM

I mix the lather in a bowl but spend about two minutes putting the lather on my face.

**sffone** · 01-08-2011, 01:10 PM

Basically, I start building the lather in a bowl, which I have sitting on an electric mug heater to keep the lather very warm, almost hot, then I finish the lathering process on my face with the warm lather.

**Charles Darwin** · 01-08-2011, 01:23 PM

I have tried face-lathering when I first started wet-shaving (a suggestion to produce lather with an otherwise stubborn puck of Col. Conks).

I have two problems with face lathering: I have a small face, and therefore very little real estate on which to lather; and face lathering seems to just rip my face apart - no matter how soft the bristles.

So - bowl latherer I am. A couple of minutes to get lather in the bowl, and then I spend no more than 30 seconds working it into my beard. I imagine it's less than 1 minute total on my face before I reach for my razor.

**Luc** · 01-08-2011, 02:19 PM

I think that making the lather in the bowl and then applying it was even longer...

**docfitch** · 01-08-2011, 02:33 PM

Well, tomorrow I am going to blend the two methods. I have some Martin de Cadre that I will whip into a luxurious lather, and then I will spend a couple minutes working it into my face. Ah, the anticipation...

Ken

**brucered** · 01-08-2011, 02:58 PM

i've only tried face lathering a couple of times.

once i bought a bowl and went that way, i'll never go back. i put my brush in the bowl, fill with hot hot water, then i even put my bowl in hot water. jump in the shower, take out the brush and dump the water.

end result: nice warm lather after my hot shower. after my 1st pass, i then have more lather waiting to apply, no need to get it lathered up on my face.

and again, it's WARM LATHER

**ProphetNoir** · 01-08-2011, 03:00 PM

I face lather soaps, and I bowl lather creams but time has never entered into any of my shaving equations. It takes as long to shave as it takes to shave and I enjoy every second of it.

**ackvil** · 01-09-2011, 04:21 AM

Except when I travel and use a shave stick I always bowl lather since I like uberlathers. It takes me about a minute or two to make the lather and then I aplly it and rub it in for another minute or so. For me, the time it takes is not important since I am not in a rush to shave.

**BladeRunner001** · 01-09-2011, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by docfitch

I have pretty much been face lathering since I got back into DE shaving. Before, when I used the M3 and soap-and-brush, I would lather up in the bowl and apply the lather to my face (no nice long lathering process). I know that the use of the brush for awhile helps to prep the beard, so, my question is: how many of you spend as much time applying the bowl-prepared lather as you would if you face lathered?

Ken

I do. The point of it to prep the beard...if you just paint the face, you are just making great lather for the bowl to enjoy. Gotta take the time to rub in the nice, thick lather into the beard. And this is true of face and bowl lathering.

**brucered** · 01-09-2011, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I do. The point of it to prep the beard...if you just paint the face, you are just making great lather for the bowl to enjoy. Gotta take the time to rub in the nice, thick lather into the beard. And this is true of face and bowl lathering.

true, but i always rub my bowl lather into my face for about 45-60 sec, giving it a good massage into the whiskers and my face.

**Go West Young Man** · 01-09-2011, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I do. The point of it to prep the beard...if you just paint the face, you are just making great lather for the bowl to enjoy. Gotta take the time to rub in the nice, thick lather into the beard. And this is true of face and bowl lathering.

I don't know. I've gone both ways, and I've found that I get the same results from painting the premade lather on and letting it for 3 or so minutes that I do from creating the lather on my face.

**Optometrist** · 01-09-2011, 09:12 AM

I believe that lather is mean't to be on the face, not in a bowl to be transferred. Face lathering allows longer time generally to soften the beard as you build lather. If a bowl is used, then surely you have to wait after applying the lather for it to take effect. I guess there are arguments for and against for either method.

David

**docfitch** · 01-09-2011, 04:22 PM

Well, I built my lather in the bowl this morning, then I applied it as if I were face-lathering. It turned out great ... a very comfortable shave.

Ken

**nrdoty** · 01-09-2011, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Charles Darwin

I have tried face-lathering when I first started wet-shaving (a suggestion to produce lather with an otherwise stubborn puck of Col. Conks).

I have yet to make a good lather with soaps. I am using cream for my shaves and practicing with soaps every day or so. I only have VDH and Conk. I had heard good things about the Conk, and thats why I got it. But you say they did not work well for you either?

**birnando** · 01-09-2011, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I do. The point of it to prep the beard...if you just paint the face, you are just making great lather for the bowl to enjoy. Gotta take the time to rub in the nice, thick lather into the beard. And this is true of face and bowl lathering.

True!
I prefer a bowl, but I definitely take my time with the brush applying it.

**jtb** · 01-09-2011, 05:19 PM

I started out bowl lathering then moved to face lathering exclusively. Creams or soaps, doesn't matter to me. Creams a just rub some on my face then start lathering. If I use a badger brush, it will usually hold enough for 3 or 4 passes. If I use my boar, I might need to apply a little more after the second pass.

I also find I get a better shave face lathering.