First shave with a DE razor.Soap question

[ScottishStu]

After waiting for some supplies to arrive in the mail I was finally able to perform my first wet shave. I think I started out being a little too paranoid. I was thinking that if I didn't hold the razor to the exact angle to the second that I'd cut myself and bleed profusely. What I can say now that I'm done is that it was a lot more intuitive than I was expecting. Once I got in there and did what I thought I needed to it was really no problem. Now from what I've read so far I understand a 1950's super speed is a pretty gentle razor. I'm glad I followed all the recommendations I've read on here about what beginners should use. I was able to get through the shave with my face in one piece. And no cuts either! As I was shaving I felt like I was shaving the same way that I always tried with a modern plastic razor. The only difference was that it worked how it was supposed to. Using multi-blade razors I've found myself swiping over and over while it's just not cutting or doing what I wanted. Like there was too much plastic all around the blades for it to even work right. I'm really glad I tried wet shaving. I don't see myself ever going back to the old way! Now I'm no pro and I know I'll be getting better at the shaving part but one thing I had sort of an issue with was the lather. I used GFT coconut soap. Since I've never used shaving soap so I don't really know what the consistency is supposed to be like in person. I'm used to Edge gel that really glues itself to your face. My mix of GFT wasn't exactly like that. I first got a bunch on my brush right from the wooden bowl it came in. Then I mixed it up more in a little coffee mug while adding a little bit of water. It wasn't really bubbly but it felt light. It felt very light like nothing was really on my face. I also had to go back to the bowl a few times to lather up again because it seemed to be thinning out before I could shave my whole face. What I'm wondering is what is normal for this kind of soap? Is it thick? Thin? Should I have to lather up before I get through a whole pass? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mick]

I like face lathering with soaps. You might want to try this to see if you enjoy it more than trying to make a lather in a bowl.

Load your brush and just bring the loaded brush to your wet face. Swirl it around lightly to build a paste on your face. then dip the tips quickly in some water to pick up a little more water and back to your face. Go back and forth until you have a moderately thick shiny lather.

Finish off by going back and forth in a painting motion to distribute the lather on your face evenly

you should have enough lather in your brush to do 3 more passes. For subsequent applications you only need to "paint" it from your brush onto your face.

You won't end up with Santa Claus thick lather but it should be easier to get a good lather on your beard this way until you get better at making lather in a bowl.

 

[wimbouman]

^. This. Very sound advice.

If that fails, there's a lot of tips and techniques around this forum.

More product, more work is the adagium, usually.
Also, do not use too hot water.

And finally, Trumpers are known to be hit or miss at the moment after they reformulated their soap.
More miss, actually. And that is sad, as my older Limes for instance is a great product.
If you have the chance, maybe try another soap or cream?
A lot of vendors send samples for reasonable prices.

 

[ScottishStu]

I'll try face lathering for sure. When I whipped up a few practice lathers in a bowl I found it is quite a forearm workout When you say Trumpers are hit or miss what exactly do you mean?

 

[Mick]

I'll try face lathering for sure. When I whipped up a few practice lathers in a bowl I found it is quite a forearm workout When you say Trumpers are hit or miss what exactly do you mean?

Trumper's changed their soap formula as did a number of other companies to make them more "eco friendly".

If you want to bowl lather, go with creams. they are a lot easier to build into a good lather in a bowl than soaps are.

 

[StuMcB]

For face lathering (now stop laughing at me) but I not only load the brush but also rub the puck on my face, kinda like a pre shave.

 

[ScottishStu]

Trumper's changed their soap formula as did a number of other companies to make them more "eco friendly".

If you want to bowl lather, go with creams. they are a lot easier to build into a good lather in a bowl than soaps are.

Oh ok I understand thank you. Do you have some shaving creams you'd recommend?

 

[Chris H]

Oh ok I understand thank you. Do you have some shaving creams you'd recommend?

A lot of new shavers start with Taylor of Old Bond Street creams. They are relatively inexpensive, and are very easy to lather because they have a wide sweet spot for the amount of water to add. They also have many beautiful scents to choose from. I have the Lavender, Sandalwood, Eton College, and St James Street. I love every one of them. Check out Garry's Sample Shop here on B&B for a huge selection of samples.

 

[LAM&P]

I agree with Turtle about face lathering with a stubborn soap...I bowl lather but face lathering almost always produces a fine lather. As far as soaps go, I'm a creature of habit and linger around Proraso; just recently ventured out of the comfort zone and purchased Ogallala Bay Rum/Sweet Orange and I think it's wonderful, as is said of all of their products. Both are reasonably priced/fine products and you couldn't go wrong...of course "Your Mileage May Vary" as with anything.

 

[ScottishStu]

A lot of new shavers start with Taylor of Old Bond Street creams. They are relatively inexpensive, and are very easy to lather because they have a wide sweet spot for the amount of water to add. They also have many beautiful scents to choose from. I have the Lavender, Sandalwood, Eton College, and St James Street. I love every one of them. Check out Garry's Sample Shop here on B&B for a huge selection of samples.

Thanks for your advice. How would I navigate to Garry's sample shop?

 

[SteveWY]

Go here: http://sampleshop.blogspot.com/

 

[ScottishStu]

Go here: http://sampleshop.blogspot.com/

Ah there are so many. I want to try them all!

 

[Wingnut]

Ah there are so many. I want to try them all!

Is there a problem here? I don't see one...