Soap question

[adauria]

Hi folks,

I've shaved twice now with my Merkur Classic and love it. I've got Col Conks almond soap in a mug. The first time I built an OK lather in the mug, the second time I lathered up right on my face and it was also OK.

Here's my question (for you soap users): When you build lather in the mug, where do you rub the brush? Do you continually spin the brush against the soap in the bottom of the mug, or does it make more sense to get some soap on the brush and then run the brush on the side of the mug so as not to use more soap than necessary (kind of like using the side of the mug as one would with a face lather)?

Thanks!

-Andrew

[adamant]

I have my soap in another container to load it. I know people do both. I think if you do it in the mug with the soap, the amount of water will limit the amount of soap that comes off the puck.

[Hando]

sounds as if it'd be kinda awkward trying to make your lather that way.

if your not going to face lather i would say transfer it to another mug/bowl, that would stop you using un-neccessary amounts of soap

[pal]

When using a soap mug with a puck in the bottom, I build my lather right on the soap. I like to use Mama Bears Soap, it comes in a plastic container with a lid. I usually load my brush on the soap and then face lather or take it to another cup and build the lather there.

[Bertilak]

Hi folks,

I've shaved twice now with my Merkur Classic and love it. I've got Col Conks almond soap in a mug. The first time I built an OK lather in the mug, the second time I lathered up right on my face and it was also OK.

Here's my question (for you soap users): When you build lather in the mug, where do you rub the brush? Do you continually spin the brush against the soap in the bottom of the mug, or does it make more sense to get some soap on the brush and then run the brush on the side of the mug so as not to use more soap than necessary (kind of like using the side of the mug as one would with a face lather)?

Thanks!

-Andrew

Well, 40 some years ago I used Williams in a Williams mug and built up the lather right in the mug then rinsed it out when done shaving. (But mostly I used canned foam -- anything other than Gillette I would consider exotic.) Soap was cheap enough I didn't worry about using it up too fast. Today, I use much better soaps and they cost a bunch more than Williams so I use a separate lathering bowl to prolong the life of the soap. In any case, the soaps I use come in containers (plain or fancy) which don't allow for lathering right on the puck.

[Confilo]

I pick the soap from the pug which had been softening with warm wather, after softening throw the water out. With the brushes bristles coated with tallowy soap, I work it in the scuttle by swirling it and building tallowy lather.
As I continue to lather in passes 2 & 3 I repeat the scuttle swirling sometimes adding a bit of water from the tip of the brush bristles if needed.

[Ru4scuba?]

+1 to Confilo's method...this is how I build soap lather as well. I prefer soaps and use them predominantly (unless I'm in a hurry) and then I use my TOBS.

[neilxvx]

I haven't used a bowl to build my lather in over a year, and I use soaps 9/10 shaves.

I personally love and only use the face-lathering method. Using a bowl is just not efficient IMO, but some guys like, more power to you either way.

However, to me, face lathering makes so much sense. You don't clutter up more space because you don't have extra stuff. You spend more time scrubbing the lather into your beard, meaning better prep and a better shave.

[Bertilak]

I haven't used a bowl to build my lather in over a year, and I use soaps 9/10 shaves.

I personally love and only use the face-lathering method. Using a bowl is just not efficient IMO, but some guys like, more power to you either way.

However, to me, face lathering makes so much sense. You don't clutter up more space because you don't have extra stuff. You spend more time scrubbing the lather into your beard, meaning better prep and a better shave.

Ya know, Those are all reasons I would use, but for some reason I prefer bowl lathering. I can't explain why!

[neilxvx]

Ya know, Those are all reasons I would use, but for some reason I prefer bowl lathering. I can't explain why!

More power to you bud! It's a little less messy, and you can keep the lather warm, both are good +'s.

[ambrose]

Im with you on face lathering, better prep better shave.

[Cuttingboard]

Is there a tutorial for face lathering? With creams, I put a little cream on my brush and then create the lather in the palm of my hand.

[TFrankMac2140]

Is there a tutorial for face lathering? With creams, I put a little cream on my brush and then create the lather in the palm of my hand.

Mantic has a great video on face lathering.

[adauria]

Thanks for the tips guys! I will continue to experiment, but I am leaning toward face lathering.

This is a great forum!

-Andrew

[kenpojay]

If I lathered on the soap, My fancy lather bowl would get lonely.