SOap breakdown question

[PainhammeR]

Hi all. Been wet shaving now for a little over a week and I have a variety of soaps and creams (Col Conk Bay Rum & Amber, Proraso (the green tea one), and The Real Shaving Co.). I am using a nice Badger Brush and I usually get good lather from the creams. The soaps are a bit harder for me, maybe not enough water or soap. I also use a bowl/mug and hot water for some warm lather.

Anyway, Sometimes when I let the lather mug sit in the water bowl while doing my first pass, the lather seems to break down a bit. I can stir it up again real quick, but I am wondering if the lather is breaking down. Could the water be too hot? Or maybe something else?

Still finding my shaving groove, but getting better and enjoying it. The hardest part is getting up on time to fit in a good shave. Snooze buttons are evil!

[Dandaman]

Yes, very hot water seems to speed lather decay. I think the key may be hot but not too hot. Hard to be more specific, I can't give you temperatures. I use a Georgetown Pottery Scuttle and fill it from a Rival (kitchen) water heater. I pour decently hot water in with the brush itself and slightly hotter water - by letting it heat a few seconds longer - into the outer chamber. But if I overdo the heating, I see the lather start to degrade.