Just a tip about lather.

**nrv216** · 08-17-2012, 07:27 PM

Hey all,

I know for a lot of us this will be common knowledge and, therefore, redundant. I just wanted to mention for the sake of the newbs that lather has three parts; water, soap/cream (aka product) and air.

I see a lot of threads that are properly ended with suggestions such as, "use more product" or "use more water." However, I rarely see the phrase "use more air!" That is probably because saying to use more air sounds stupid but I have found that it is actually sound advice in some cases. There is a reason that when you watch the shave videos on youtube (such as Mantic's) you see the shavers working the lather on their faces with their awesome brushes for a considerable amount of time. Aeration can completely change the cushion, slickness and consistency of a lather whether it is accomplished through face or bowl lathering.

My example from today: I was using cella and my Simpson duke 2 to prepare a lather for my straight razor shave. I like to load a lot of product with cella but basically use Marco's method with a slightly drier brush. After loading the brush, I looked at it and noticed that the lather looked thin and runny. It also contained many larger, dish-soap-like bubbles that are not good for a shaving lather.

As I stared at my shaving brush (and my fiance walked by shaking her head at her lunatic future husband), I remembered the first time I shaved with cella and painted that thin bubbly mess onto my face only to have it drip off and leave a sweet smelling but useless film where I expected the often celebrated Cella goodness.

So, I am writing this post for the newbs out there who are wondering why the soaps everyone else rave about are not working for them. Sure it might just take more water or more product but me... I used more air and it worked!

nrv216

**takeshi** · 08-17-2012, 10:18 PM

Are you using more air or incorporating it better? There's an important distinction to be made. It's probably the latter.

**jake royston** · 08-17-2012, 11:23 PM

interesting... ive had trouble with my Col. conk soap too. it would lather up nicely, and be rich and shiny, peaks and all, then a minute later, half of it would be gone! It also appeared that the lather deteriorated, and the air bubbles were growing in size, all by themselves! Is this typical, or am i doing something wrong?

**Krona Kruiser** · 08-17-2012, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by jake royston

interesting... ive had trouble with my Col. conk soap too. it would lather up nicely, and be rich and shiny, peaks and all, then a minute later, half of it would be gone! It also appeared that the lather deteriorated, and the air bubbles were growing in size, all by themselves! Is this typical, or am i doing something wrong?

Use more product.......

I know what you mean but I think it's about incorporating it better and using enough product. If you swirl or pump away to quickly, you end up with airy bubbles. When you have the right ratio and take your time to create lather (on your face or bowl) you can tell the difference in the quality of the lather.

**ackvil** · 08-18-2012, 04:55 AM

Good advice above. Often if you work the lather more what started off as thin lather will thicken up and become perfect.

**sparco** · 08-18-2012, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by ackvil

Good advice above. Often if you work the lather more what started off as thin lather will thicken up and become perfect.

+1 Give it some swirls and 1 or 2 minutes. Great lather doesnt come in a blink of an eye.

**deruitem** · 08-18-2012, 06:50 AM

I think you just need more time with the brush. I use the Marco method and bowl lather. At first it looks super thin but I keep at it and BAM lathery goodness

**Wildalaska** · 08-18-2012, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by ackvil

Good advice above. Often if you work the lather more what started off as thin lather will thicken up and become perfect.

Especially when you are building your lather correctly...on your face

**Mr D. Caff** · 08-19-2012, 04:32 AM

Somewhat of a newbie here. So, for you guys lathering on your face works better than in a bowl?

**sparco** · 08-19-2012, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by Mr D. Caff

Somewhat of a newbie here. So, for you guys lathering on your face works better than in a bowl?

It depends on a bunch of factors; Which brush you use reagarding shape, knot size, length of the loft, type of hair on the brush. Etc etc.
As for myself, I lather in a bowl 95% of the time.

**gus1942** · 08-19-2012, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by Mr D. Caff

Somewhat of a newbie here. So, for you guys lathering on your face works better than in a bowl?

Certainly; face lathering facilitates the addition of water or product to quickly achieve the proper lather consistency. The majority of B&B members face lather. I prefer using soaps, usually sticks, but creams work great.

Gus/BOTOC/Arkolyte

**gus1942** · 08-19-2012, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by sparco

It depends on a bunch of factors; Which brush you use reagarding shape, knot size, length of the loft, type of hair on the brush. Etc etc.
As for myself, I lather in a bowl 95% of the time.

I always face lather, and truthfully, any brush will work.

Gus/BOTOC/Arko

**akokandy** · 08-19-2012, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by gus1942

I always face lather, and truthfully, any brush will work.

Gus/BOTOC/Arko

+1 I couldn't agree more. But I'd have to say that although any brush will work, some work much better than others. Extremely large brushes generally are not as effective for face lathering. I myself prefer medium-sized boars for the job, but I've had equal success (but maybe less efficiency) with larger badgers and boars.

**akuri** · 08-19-2012, 07:45 AM

i just put some water on my brush and some water with my soap/cream and swirl around till it thickens up quite easy and affective method

**uud4d** · 08-19-2012, 10:31 AM

the lathering technique is just like any other and that is practice makes perfect, I am a newbe and have been shaving with a safety razor and cup and brush for most of my life. I just ordered a DE Merkur because I have become confident that I will be able to master the technique but going in I know that it will take practice and patience.

**gus1942** · 08-19-2012, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by akokandy

+1 I couldn't agree more. But I'd have to say that although any brush will work, some work much better than others. Extremely large brushes generally are not as effective for face lathering. I myself prefer medium-sized boars for the job, but I've had equal success (but maybe less efficiency) with larger badgers and boars.

Adam, I also find myself using my boars more and more. Like Semogue 620,830, and SOC.

Gus/BOTOC/Arkolyte

**Predict** · 08-20-2012, 04:33 AM

I could be wrong but my observation has been that air is incorporated with the water. As in more water in the brush to begin with adds a lot of air right away. Whereas starting fairly dry and adding drops of water as you go slowly incorporates the water for less air bubbles. I also find that certain soaps (Cade, and Cella) for me, are very sensitive to this. I couldn't get Cella or case to lather well until I started shaking my brush out a lot more. That's my 2 cents. You may keep the change.

**Mr D. Caff** · 08-27-2012, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by ackvil

Good advice above. Often if you work the lather more what started off as thin lather will thicken up and become perfect.

I read a suggestion on here once that said lather is better when applied to your face for 3 minutes. I thought I had no time to lather for 3 minutes until I tried it. Works wonders for me.