second pass lather

**nikkuchan** · 06-13-2009, 02:16 AM

I'm back in the clinic to get some clarification something that's been bugging me. I can't figure out if it's just my imagination or not.

I built my lather with soap in a bowl, just as the newbie guide instructs, and I build great lather, which is great on the first pass, but when I'm done and go back to my bowl to lather up for pass number two, it seems that the lather has lost some of itself. It seems thinner, and it feels less lubricating.

Is this just my imagination? If it's not my imagination, what are some tips on keeping my lather nice throughout my shave?

**Azza** · 06-13-2009, 02:26 AM

Not your imagination. Get plenty of soap into that brush. The initial lather is not the best, keep swirling that brush until there is plenty of soap in the brush, should look like cream in the bristles, that stuff will not break down easily and you should get enough for at least 6 passes. I then move to a bowl and add a little water which is why it lasts for so many passes. Not sure how the face lathering guys do it.

- Aaron

**nikkuchan** · 06-13-2009, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by Azza

Not your imagination. Get plenty of soap into that brush. The initial lather is not the best, keep swirling that brush until there is plenty of soap in the brush, should look like cream in the bristles, that stuff will not break down easily and you should get enough for at least 6 passes. I then move to a bowl and add a little water which is why it lasts for so many passes. Not sure how the face lathering guys do it.

- Aaron

I figured it was something with my technique. I think I should move to a smaller bowl. The one I'm currently using is kinda large and feels a bit difficult to mix the lather in.

**Azza** · 06-13-2009, 02:56 AM

My bowl is big, I find it easy to work with. About 15 cm across if that helps. Don't go too small if possible.

**SRock** · 06-13-2009, 06:00 AM

If your lather is losing it's quality between passes you simply need to load more in the beginning or as some do "re-visit" the puck between passes.

**kingfisher** · 06-13-2009, 07:25 AM

Lather in your hand for awhile. Feel the lather between the thumb and fingers as you add water.

The second pass lather is always slightly thinner than the first-pass lather; that's how it should be. You need more cushion for the first pass, and you need more slickness for subsequent passes. It works out perfectly in the end.

**tlanning** · 06-13-2009, 07:38 AM

I agree, load the brush well, (almost untill it drags on the soap your using), NOW heres an embarrasing habit I got into with results like yours with creams and soaps. I would rinse and immeadiately grab my brush, (in my pot) and lather up for the next pass, meanwhile my hands were dripping a couple teaspoons of water into the mix

Your most likely not doing that but I was

Cheers

**strat1117** · 06-13-2009, 07:59 AM

I find that sometimes a couple of drops of hot water on the brush will liven things up a bit between passes.

**profsaffel** · 06-13-2009, 08:04 AM

Drops of hot water on the brush is fine, but I usually add it to the bowl itself. The best lather in the brush, if you do it correctly, is actually IN the brush. On your last pass, you can squeeze the brush out for that 'pure-d' lather that is oh so scrumptious! Gives me a shavegasm just thinking about it.

**Duggo** · 06-13-2009, 08:05 AM

Like another member said here, Don't just get the soap on the tips of the brush. Get the soap all over the sides of the brush too.

When you think you have enough soap on the brush, Keep going!

**luvmysuper** · 06-13-2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by profsaffel

Gives me a shavegasm just thinking about it.

Ok, and I thought Facesturbate was the most disturbing term I had read.

LOL

**Alacrity59** · 06-13-2009, 04:20 PM

If all else fails you can kinda double load. Load up your brush on the soap. . . scrape off the brush into the bowl then load up one more time then continue building your lather in the bowl.

**ZZTop** · 06-13-2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by luvmysuper

Ok, and I thought Facesturbate was the most disturbing term I had read.

LOL

+1. Wow.

**htownmmm** · 06-13-2009, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by profsaffel

Drops of hot water on the brush is fine, but I usually add it to the bowl itself. The best lather in the brush, if you do it correctly, is actually IN the brush. On your last pass, you can squeeze the brush out for that 'pure-d' lather that is oh so scrumptious! Gives me a shavegasm just thinking about it.

Originally Posted by luvmysuper

Ok, and I thought Facesturbate was the most disturbing term I had read.

LOL

Only in the shaving world does Faceturbation come after the Shavegasm!

marty