Both are neither, but more a YMMV thing.
Some people will make a better, though not necessarily denser, lather in a bowl. Others, like me, find the surface of the face makes better lather than a bowl. Maybe it's a matter of materials and the amount of surface area. The one thing I think a bowl is better for is making a consistent lather for all passes. But consistency in each pass isn't necessarily something face lathering practitioners want, and lather in a bowl or scuttle can break down on its own.
Time isn't the important factor in making lather. The time to reach a particular lather might vary day to day, or by the water quality, choice of soap, or because we're not precisely measuring things. I bet most of us go by look & feel. I do believe if you keep mixing lather past that perfect spot you'll only succeed in messing it up, probably by adding more air than you need, or breaking it if you keep adding water.
both are neither, but more a ymmv thing.
Some people will make a better, though not necessarily denser, lather in a bowl. Others, like me, find the surface of the face makes better lather than a bowl. Maybe it's a matter of materials and the amount of surface area. The one thing i think a bowl is better for is making a consistent lather for all passes. But consistency in each pass isn't necessarily something face lathering practitioners want, and lather in a bowl or scuttle can break down on its own.
Time isn't the important factor in making lather. The time to reach a particular lather might vary day to day, or by the water quality, choice of soap, or because we're not precisely measuring things. I bet most of us go by look & feel. I do believe if you keep mixing lather past that perfect spot you'll only succeed in messing it up, probably by adding more air than you need, or breaking it if you keep adding water.
A1. False. Some of us make better lather in a bowl, some of us on our face.
A2. I'm not sure if it is possible to over mix lather.
A3. Timing the lather mixing process is not a gauge of good lather. Too many variables.
both are neither, but more a ymmv thing.
Some people will make a better, though not necessarily denser, lather in a bowl. Others, like me, find the surface of the face makes better lather than a bowl. Maybe it's a matter of materials and the amount of surface area. The one thing i think a bowl is better for is making a consistent lather for all passes. But consistency in each pass isn't necessarily something face lathering practitioners want, and lather in a bowl or scuttle can break down on its own.
Time isn't the important factor in making lather. The time to reach a particular lather might vary day to day, or by the water quality, choice of soap, or because we're not precisely measuring things. I bet most of us go by look & feel. I do believe if you keep mixing lather past that perfect spot you'll only succeed in messing it up, probably by adding more air than you need, or breaking it if you keep adding water.
IMHO time spent face lathering is also time spent soaking and softening the beard in preparation to a great shave.