Valobra Stick

[Marco]

I have just taken ownership of a Valobra stick, and am anxiously awaiting a chance to use it! It sounds like I won't be disappointed.

The problem with SSAD is waiting for the whiskers to grow to try out the product. Four new soaps yesterday are begging to be taken for a test drive.

You won't be disappointed, I'm almost sure. Virgilio Valobra is a legendary name. He was the greatest Italian Master Soap manufacuturer ever. And his company today is in the hands of his grandson Guglielmo Valobra, who continues the tradition of greatness started over a century ago. Valobra soaps are sinonimous of superior quality and trusted performance.

[Optometrist]

I agree 100%, obviously... And David is becoming a so huge Italian soaps fan that he is even starting to study my language!

Unfortunately Marco, it was a translation courtesy of Google. It sounded good anyway!!

David

[Deliverator]

I've had a Valobra stick for a few months, but don't really like using sticks so only used it once or twice. However, inspired by this board I milled the stick into a smallish bowl not long ago, and I think I have found my everyday soap. Absolutely fantastic.

[Mpugh77]

However, inspired by this board I milled the stick into a smallish bowl not long ago, and I think I have found my everyday soap. Absolutely fantastic.

After seeing many references to milling, I may need to order several more of these sticks and try the same.

[OneRand]

I am getting very slick lather from Valobra shave stick, but it is not thick. I have been needing to reapply the stick to my face for either the 2nd pass, or definitely the thrid pass because the lather is very thin. Using a new omega boar that is not borken in yet (4 shaves), could that be the difference?

I don't mind reapplying, but I have not managed to attain the lather explosion. Shaves are fine.

To clarify, I know how to make lather from a soap/stick, but not finding groove here. Have used boars for several years; found myself in spot where I have only one brush at the moment (if some of you passed out when you read the last part, its ok).

Thanks,

[Dripp]

hmmm - never had a problem with mine and have never needed to reapply. Not sure what to tell you, but maybe too much water?

[Go West Young Man]

Might be that the brush isn't broken in, but more likely you're just not putting enough soap on your face to begin with.

[nav]

Valobra stick is a super solid stick and you really need to get enough soap on your face. A boar which hasn't broken in will not help at all. If you have another brush that is a badger or a broken in boar, give that a go so you can get the feel of the soap without the variable of the new boar.

It's a great soap but you really need to get enough on your face. I grated my stick and put it into a shave stick tube and it is much easier to get enough soap on my face.

[mchad21]

I agree. I grated mine into a bowl and lather it from there, directly on my face. The one thing that does help (and is slightly different than using it in 'stick' form) is to splash a little warm water directly on the soap (in the bowl) and let it sit for a few minutes. This makes it a bit easier for the brush to pick up the soap.

[franz]

One trick to make sure you have enough product is to prime the brush by loading it on the stick, in addition to rubbing the stick on your beard.

[Optometrist]

Never had a problem from my favourite stick. I agree that it sounds not like enough product.

[xillion]

One trick to make sure you have enough product is to prime the brush by loading it on the stick, in addition to rubbing the stick on your beard.

This is a great tip. I do this and I always get a thick protective lather from my Valobra stick.

[Chevyguy]

One trick to make sure you have enough product is to prime the brush by loading it on the stick, in addition to rubbing the stick on your beard.

+1 on this, works for me everytime.

Clayton

[Catalin]

Never had a problem from my favourite stick. I agree that it sounds not like enough product.

+ 1. I would use more product.

[Sledgehammer39]

I never had that issue with the Valobra.. Try adding a bit more water and really work it.

[OneRand]

Thanks all,

I will keep at it. Will see what happens when the brush breaks in. I do feel that I have been rubbing the stick on my face for long enough - not skimpy with the soap. Will try the brush load trick too.

[Alum of Potash]

Over the past few days, I've been having exactly the same problem with Valobra and an Omega brush (~22mm knot) that is broken in. This comes after a lot of use with a La Toja stick and the same brush. I cover my face heavily with the soap in both cases: Valobra needs a second application somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd pass, whereas La Toja does not.

[bkfist]

Valobra stick gives me a thick lather with just 30 seconds or so on the face. I don't rub hard, just fast circular motion, like I'm lathering up a brush. I'm guessing it's your new boar brush getting broken in.

I was happy to find Valobra stick, as it's the only Italian made soap I've came across that I found decent enough to actually use.

[Sullybob]

I think the main problem is that your brush isn't broken in yet. I have had the same problem with unbroken in boars. Once they get broken in they perform much better.

[mharris127]

. . . I was happy to find Valobra stick, as it's the only Italian made soap I've came across that I found decent enough to actually use.

I am sure Cella users would beg to differ on that one, bkfist. If you mean the only Italian made stick, that is possible.