Flying through my TOBS Sandalwood tub. Is this normal?

[NewTyme]

A couple weeks ago I purchased my first TOBS tub of Sandalwood. My initial impressions: amazing lather and strong scent. I haven't been using it that much (I save it for when I want a more "luxurious shave"), but I've noticed that the tub is quickly depleting. I'm almost halfway through the tub after what seems to be a handful of uses, whereas other creams I've tried seem to last for months.

For reference, in my normal rotation are Proraso White tub, Proraso Green cream in the tube, and Omega's soap. I typically lather with a Simpson Colonel. I've been DE shaving for about a year.

Am I just using way too much product? Should I be more careful with loading and add more water? I love this cream but there is no way I can afford using it often at the pace I'm going.

 

[brybry642]

How are you loading your brush from the tub of TOBS?

 

[Mick]

I use a small sample spoon to scoop out about 1/8 tsp of soap into a bowl/scuttle. This seems to be about the perfect amount for all of the brands of shave cream I have tried.

 

[KodiakAttack]

It could also be that your cream is drying out at a fast rate. When it dries it shrinks (Sometimes I'll get an occasional brand new tub sent to me that is partially dried).
If thats the case, you can add a few drops of some distilled water and take a small whisk, and mix it together to rehydrate the mixture.
Otherwise, as turtle posted above, that is a good measurement. I always suggest using "a toothpaste amount" as if you were to brush your teeth with it. More or less depending on your brushes lathering abilities.

 

[Wishoot]

I use probably less than half that amount and get explosive, thick lather. Having soft water helps a lot.

 

[Scott0079]

Almond size of cream should more than give you enough for 3+ passes.

 

[Mick]

Almond size of cream should more than give you enough for 3+ passes.

I did that once and got this Now I uses about 1/2 that amount

 

[Scott0079]

I did that once and got this Now I uses about 1/2 that amount

I said MORE than enough

 

[Mick]

I said MORE than enough

Here are some "typical" bowl lathers with what I use.

I like the measuring spoon as I always get the same amount of lather over and over again

 

[Scott0079]

I'm not sure you have enough "bowl" for a Polo

 

[NewTyme]

Thank you for all the quick replies. I think the issue is I was loading directly onto my brush from the Tub. I'm not use to such a soft product in a tub, so I was probably picking up more than I needed.

I just did a test run, using a small almond sized dab that I first placed my scuttle. Yep. Huge lather. I also used more water than normal. Even bigger (but still creamy) lather. So I think less product and more water is the ticket for me. Funny how that works.

By the way, I'm even more impressed with this cream now that I see how little it takes. I can't believe the amount of foam that is born from so little soap.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

+1 to most of the other guys. I also use about half of that.

 

[ricardo9505]

almond size drop is all it takes. I have a tub of Mr. Taylors still left use it once a week, sometimes 2, and it has lasted over 7 months. still 1/8-th or more left

 

[GarrettReid]

I use a 1/2 tsp and don't get anything like turtle does.

 

[Feek]

I can make a lather like that very easily using ToBS creams but from those pictures, it's much too fluffy for me. I prefer a thicker lather, almost paste like.

 

[gooser]

when i first started wet shaving i was eating through product like crazy !!! it wasnt until i learned how to lather each product and what water amount each likes is when my cream/soap usage really slowed down !!

 

[NewTyme]

when i first started wet shaving i was eating through product like crazy !!! it wasnt until i learned how to lather each product and what water amount each likes is when my cream/soap usage really slowed down !!

I'm finding this as well. Though I've been DE shaving for a year, this is still much to learn. Different products, paired with different brushes can make a huge difference.

I'll still need a few shaves to fine tune the TOBS Sandalwood, but thats half the fun!

 

[brooks_bro]

I prefer to load heavy - I see it as a positive when I eat through a tub of cream since it means I can buy more - after all, this hobby is about saving money, right?

 

[zygalski]

Really soft water here. With all TOBS I just dab the tips of the damp brush, face lather & enough for 3 passes.

 

[blzrfn]

I can make a lather like that very easily using ToBS creams but from those pictures, it's much too fluffy for me. I prefer a thicker lather, almost paste like.

+1 I prefer to add just enough water so that there is a light sheen on the lather, the pictures that Turtle posted are either under-worked, over-saturated with water or were taken after the lather was sitting for a long time (just my personal taste, YMMV)