D.R. Harris Arlington soap

[opliko]

Hey guys got my Arlington a few days ago and have used it a few times, for a couple test lathers and a couple shaves. I noticed that no matter what I can't seem to face or bowl lather that stuff so that it becomes "thick" even with multiple trips to the puck. It always turns out rather thin but still seems to give me a good shave if I hurry up. It always dries out really fast too. any ideas?

PS. My Tabac dries out quick too, but I can get a thicker lather out of it thus prolonging the drying time. I think it may be a tallow based soap problem since I can lather glycerin soaps without problem.

Does tallow soap/Harris soap hate hard water?

 

[whitebar]

Try using more soap by loading the brush longer.

 

[WhosYerBob]

Try using more soap by loading the brush longer.

Ditto on that. With soaps that aren't delivering, make sure that a proper slurry is forming (not foam - but a slimy slurry) and that the brush gets all of it before transferring to a lathering bowl.

 

[alabamalawyer]

If your lather is thin you need to add more soap. You will have to work the triple-milled soap longer than a glycerin based one to get it properly loaded. I don't know if the hardness of the water can affect the soap, but Harris soaps are some of the best, so you should be able to get a good lather regardless.

You can also put a little water on top of the puck to soften it up prior to loading your brush. I put a couple of tablespoons of water on top of the soap prior to my shower. I soak the brush while showering and when finished pour off the water and shake out the excess water from brush. Take the damp (not soaking wet) brush to the puck and swirl it for 25-30 seconds. You should see a thick slurry of soap in the brush (not just airy lather). After that, wet your face and take the brush directly to your face. Add a bit of water to the brush if needed as you build the lather directly on your face. You should end up with a great lather from Harris.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

If your lather is thin you need to add more soap. You will have to work the triple-milled soap longer than a glycerin based one to get it properly loaded. I don't know if the hardness of the water can affect the soap, but Harris soaps are some of the best, so you should be able to get a good lather regardless.

You can also put a little water on top of the puck to soften it up prior to loading your brush. I put a couple of tablespoons of water on top of the soap prior to my shower. I soak the brush while showering and when finished pour off the water and shake out the excess water from brush. Take the damp (not soaking wet) brush to the puck and swirl it for 25-30 seconds. You should see a thick slurry of soap in the brush (not just airy lather). After that, wet your face and take the brush directly to your face. Add a bit of water to the brush if needed as you build the lather directly on your face. You should end up with a great lather from Harris.

+1

Houston tap water is hard as a rock but as long as I load enough soap on my brush I can get a great lather with Harris or MWF or Tabac. Like Chris says, place a little water on the puck to soak for a few minutes before loading your brush. This makes it easier to get enough product on your brush.

 

[opliko]

Yeah was looking at water softeners today and apparently Illinois is in the hardest water zone.

 

[andrew98]

Yeah was looking at water softeners today and apparently Illinois is in the hardest water zone.

As an experiment, try soaking your brush with and lathering using some distilled water.

-Andy

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

IME, and that accounts for a good bit when it comes to the Arlington, is that it needs less water than other soaps. The water level that works great with other soaps is too much if I were to use the same amount with my Harris.

I've since amended my soap lathering technique that I used to use, but it still bodes well with this one. This is my method of face-lathering with Arlington:

1. Standard protocol - Soak the brush and let some water sit on top of the soap.

2. Take the brush out, let it drip first until it stops.

3. Give it a nice (but gentle) squeeze at the base of the hair to let the excess water out.

4. Drain all the water off the top of the soap.

5. Go to work loading the product. With Arlington, I only need 15 swirls or so. I know some may not recommend this, but I make sure to twist that brush into the soap (gently) and really load her up. The result should be a "sticky" lather; not shaveable stuff yet.

6. Splash your face with water and start swirling on your face. If needed, I open up the breech (middle) of the brush and add a small splash of water at a time. This usually isn't necessary for me, but may be for you until you get your water : product ratio right.

This is basically what you'll find in Jim's lathering tutorial excepting the bowl.

Hope this helps some...

 

[RBE17]

Does tallow soap/Harris soap hate hard water?

I've yet to lather Harris soap, but have lathered quite a bit of tallow soaps w/ my hard water, including MWF. The key is to load the brush like crazy and add water as you go. You really have to work the lather. Stick w/ it and you'll be rewarded w/ great lathers.

 

[beginish]

6. Splash your face with water and start swirling on your face. If needed, I open up the breech (middle) of the brush and add a small splash of water at a time. This usually isn't necessary for me, but may be for you until you get your water : product ratio right.

+1. If the bowl lather doesn't work, try the face lather instead. 9 times out of 10, it'll bail you out.