Creating a lather

[woliaj]

Hi guys, im a newbie to wet shaving,
i've watched a couple of videos from mantic and geofatboy, about creating a good lather but i cant seem to do it myself. Ive bought a new brush (could the fact that the brush is new be the reason) and i have TOBS shaving soap, the brush is a simpsons chubby 2 best. My previous shave i used a bowl that was a bit big, and it didn't really seem to lather up. I loaded the brush, made a bit of lather, but nothing impressive, kept swirling and then it disappeared, then i loaded up again and it made a substantial amount but for my next pass i had to make more. This time the bowl was more of a cup (too small) so it made it a bit better, but same story. I was also thinking maybe its the thickness and amount of hair in the brush thats making it hard, as in all the lather is disappearing into the brush (going into a wormhole and appearing in another universe???) Any tips on how to make alot of good thick, consistent smooth lather?

 

[mekler]

Use more product and dont be afraid to squeeze some lather out of that brush! One thing I would suggest (and I do this for all new soaps I try) is make the lather in your hand. IMO, that's the best place to test out a soap to learn about it's nuances. Give face lathering a try as well.

 

[duck dive steve]

+1 on the more product and try face lathering. Some people can make a good lather with very little product but it takes experience and a good knowledge of that product. I would start of my swirling your brush on the soap for at least 30 seconds maybe even a minute. Do clockwise, anti clockwise and press the brush into the soap. You will get there eventually

 

[Archer808]

Follow Jim's tutorial here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/21136-How-to-make-great-lather-from-a-soap-Tutorial

 

[Kenno]

use jim's method ^ and soak that brush for 10 min or more. load the soap for 40-60sec.

 

[ackvil]

If your lather is not thick enough or doesn't seem to expand then you are not using enough product or water and you are not whipping it up enough. Jim's tutorial is excellent. You can additional information here.

 

[lt114]

Use more product, and possibly more water, and face lather. You could have a flow though issue with the Chubby being so dense.
Density will not be a problem if you face lather.

 

[Luc]

You are not using enough product...

 

[intotheforge]

Make sure you actually soak the brush even if it's just a couple minutes. Just wetting it under the faucet never works for me. And use more product of course.

 

[wstruth]

With TOBS (or any other hard soap for that matter), I wet the puck as I prepare my face for shaving. My method is pour enough water onto the soap that it is slightly covered. Personally I load with a fairly wet brush, in my case its a Shavemac Silvertip . I shake the excess water out and load for 45 seconds (that's what I count to anyway) with about 2 to 3 swirls per count. When I use a boar brush I just let the excess water drip out - no shake - this is also called the Marco Method around here. I face lather and usually get enough lather to do 3 to 4 passes. Like mekler suggests try hand lathering till you get your ratios right. I also find that TOBS soaps in general like more water than some, so the best lather for me with TOBS is not as thick as say an Italian soft soap or DRH Arlington, but it is slick and protective.

Regarding the brushes I use silver tip badger, pure badger and various boars. EACH one requires a sight change in how I lather the soap. Just keep on experimenting and you will find out what works for you. Hand lathering really does give you the fastest feedback because its visual and tactile at the same time time.

 

[Marco]

Use MORE soap!