Does anyone else cheat with Mike's soaps?

[Teppanyaki]

A question I've meant to ask but keep forgetting to post - does anyone else have this experience? When I shave with Mike's soap, I can get a relatively wet brush, swirl it on the soap for 20 strokes, and paint on a relatively thick, wet, non-foamy lather that works really well for me. When I try other methods (or with other soaps), I end up getting airy foams which look nice but don't shave nearly as well.

Aside from the obvious ("You clearly need to work on your lathering skills!!!"), does anyone else do this?

 

[JDTTO]

If it works, it works.

I have never tried Mike's but I certainly do not want too much air in my lather. (let's say I prefer yoghurt to whipped cream).

 

[Chadao]

Not I. Just finished whipping up a really thick Mike's lather.

 

[oldtrout]

No, I haven't tried that method; however, if this produces the lather that works very well for you it's not cheating.

Is cheating even possible when making lather?

 

[BlackBear]

I think Mikes soaps are so good that you could lather them any which way you want.......and still get an awesome shave!

 

[santamariasteve]

I think the method you described is what one is supposed to do to get a decent lather. I don't quite understand your question or your uncertainty. I'm shaving with Mike's this week by coincidence.

As with any soap, I fill the mug with warm water for several minutes, dump off the water, and then take a warm wet brush and whip up a lather for 10 to 20 strokes. That is the only method I know. Experience will tell you when you are using the correct amount of water. You don't want the lather too wet and runny, or too "dry" and thick.

Mike's is an excellent product. When you get "airy foam" that suggests you are using too much water.

 

[Teppanyaki]

When you get "airy foam" that suggests you are using too much water.

That would explain a lot - I tend to use Marco's method at times with a pretty wet brush and then add more water. I end up with lots of "froth" which doesn't feel the same.

If I do the 10-20 swirls of Mike's, it works well. It doesn't generate a lot of lather, so it's good for a pass and touchups, but going back to the puck isn't a problem.

 

[Mandina]

I myself need to start out with a well-shaken brush to lather Mike's, then gradually adding water by dipping the brush tips in water (then giving a shake)quite a few times while loading--which I need to do for 90+ seconds--and while face lathering. The result is really nice. But as you say, Mike's works well even with far less than picture-perfect lather.