Pharmacies, like Boots, often sell deionized water - not as pure as distilled water, but all the hard-water minerals will have been removed. (I used to buy it in big 5L bottles back when I had some carnivorous plants that couldn't handle tap water, and they were fine with it.)
Lathering MWF with hard water.my method.
- Thread starter Recluse
- Start date
Pharmacies, like Boots, often sell deionized water - not as pure as distilled water, but all the hard-water minerals will have been removed. (I used to buy it in big 5L bottles back when I had some carnivorous plants that couldn't handle tap water, and they were fine with it.)
This method worked really well for me, I was an avid hater of the fat before trying this! Great post!
Fantastic technique.
I have moderately hard water, but most of the time could get a good MWF lather with which I almost always face lather.
Today I tried a face lathering version of this technique using a Semogue 830 boar brush and it was easy and very effective. You may wonder what a face lathering version of this technique is? Well I built the slurry on the puck and dripped it into a bowl. I then well loaded the dried 830 with now softened MWF, but dipping the brush a few times into the MWF slurry as I build the lather on my face. Result, a superb MWF lather and a terrific shave.
Thanks, Recluse.
I have moderately hard water, but most of the time could get a good MWF lather with which I almost always face lather.
Today I tried a face lathering version of this technique using a Semogue 830 boar brush and it was easy and very effective. You may wonder what a face lathering version of this technique is? Well I built the slurry on the puck and dripped it into a bowl. I then well loaded the dried 830 with now softened MWF, but dipping the brush a few times into the MWF slurry as I build the lather on my face. Result, a superb MWF lather and a terrific shave.
Thanks, Recluse.
great idea! will try this next time I have a puck of MWF. Just finished my sample from Gary today!
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- #45
Yes, this is the exact technique I use with Cella as I prefer to face lather it. If I were to use additional 'hard' water from the tap instead of the slurry, the lather would disappear instantly.
I appreciate the kind words from everyone. I'm pleased the video was able to help many of you.
I'll have to try your technique with Cella , a soap that has alway been "just okay" for me.
You have a future in shaving videos!
It was well shot, well lit and I like the pace and narrative of your video. It's equally informative and relaxing, making what you want to say very accessible
I just wanted say thank you! My wife and I had just moved to a place without a water softener so my shaves have been killing me. Tried this technique today, and it worked great. A think I shook off a little too much water, so I'm still in the process of dialing it in, but it has still worked far better than anything else I have tried to date.
Thanks so much Michael - can't wait to try it out!
I'm going to try this out tonight! Sounds like an interesting idea. I already love the product so maybe this will make me like it even more.
I don't have hard water, but this method still seems to create a lather better.
I've been trying out Petal Pusher Fancie's kokum butter shave soap and having serious lather issues. This is a soap I really want to like because it makes my skin feel fabulous after the shave. I think this technique might do the trick. One of the most informative things I've seen on B&B. Thanks Recluse!
The video is no longer available, anywhere, as far as I can tell. I'd really like to see it if possible. Any chance of reposting it? Or is it available somewhere that I'm not aware of?
I think I know what you might be doing in the video. Or I at least have an idea. Are you using the water off the puck after soaking the puck? That (soaking the puck) would have softened the water that the puck was soaking in. Anyway, if you can't repost the video, maybe you could post your step-by-step method?
Any help would be appreciated.
And maybe someone could repost Marco's Method. I couldn't find it just now.
So basically you take you soaked brush, shake 1 or 2 times. This leaves a lot of water in the brush. Load very gently on the soap for a minute or so--you will get a fairly bubbly, wet load on the brush. Squeeze this into a bowl. Now load the brush like normal until you get the pasty, brush tips sticking in clumps look. From here you can bowl lather using the soapy water that's in the bowl. It usually is just about the right amount of lather but may take some experimenting to determine just how to shake out the brush at the start. Two shakes works well for me an is what the op recommended. The other option is to face lather and use the soapy water from the bowl if additional water is needed--just dip the tips into it.
The op contends (I assume he's right cause it works) that the calcium and/or magnesium in hard water bind to soap molecules, preventing them from contributing to the lather. Some soaps come with EDTA added to prevent this bi binding the calcium. This method uses the initial load of soap to bind the calcium out if the water. Then that water is no linger "hard" and your second load of soap can do its job using that water without being troubled by the calcium.
The op contends (I assume he's right cause it works) that the calcium and/or magnesium in hard water bind to soap molecules, preventing them from contributing to the lather. Some soaps come with EDTA added to prevent this bi binding the calcium. This method uses the initial load of soap to bind the calcium out if the water. Then that water is no linger "hard" and your second load of soap can do its job using that water without being troubled by the calcium.
