Having trouble lathering up.

[jake royston]

I know there are threads out there, but i am desprate for answers at this point.
I use a penworks Grade A silvertip brush, and have been using TOBS sandalwood shaving cream. I was getting a decent lather, but it would dry up sometimes, and would make my face sort of sticky when i would begin shaving. (I use a Merkur Futur in satin finish if that matters at all) I bought some TOBS jermyn street shaving cream for sensitive cream, and my lather is SOOOO much better! And the scent is so awesome i keep opening it just to smell it! It is shiny, has awesome slickness when applied to my face, and has great peaks, and is super easy for me to lather up. The sandalwood cream is harder for me to lather for some reason. Why is this? I also bought some of Mitchell's wool fat shaving soap, and i find it extremely hard to lather up...

When i lather it up, its all foamy, and seems to evaporate within a couple seconds. For some reason, I cannot lather up this soap, and i need some tips!
thanks,
jake

 

[Go West Young Man]

Triple or quadruple the amount of time you're loading on the puck, you don't have enough soap in the mix.

 

[extinctary]

when I use hard soaps like MWF and TOBS, I always put a bit of warm water on top of the puck while Im showering an it softens it up a little, makes it easier for the brush to pick up soap.

 

[jake royston]

thanks guys, ill have to try again tomorrow. I forgot to mention that i was loading for 20-25 seconds, with some light pressure, but the mug i have, has a somewhat small opening.

 

[Matt555]

MWF does not lather up like others. It will be a bit bubbly. It should not evaporate though. Try face lathering it. But like I said, it will not be super thick on creamy like others. As for the TOBS, I have no idea why one would lather better than that other. Have you looked at the ingredients? Are they the same?

 

[JetsMets#1fan]

I use a Merkur Futur in satin finish if that matters at all

Thats your problem right there Jake, should've gotten the chrome futur.

 

[takeshi]

When i lather it up, its all foamy, and seems to evaporate within a couple seconds. For some reason, I cannot lather up this soap, and i need some tips!

I know you say that you know there are threads out there but your problem is the typical one: insufficient loading (mentioned in many threads on lather problems). You really should check out the lathering guide linked in the sticky at the top of this subforum and pay particular attention to the section on loading. Do not rely on time or swirls. You need to learn to identify a properly loaded brush by look, feel and sound.

Once you get your brush properly loaded building lather is relatively easy. Personally, I find face lathering a bit easier as my face provides additional feedback.

 

[Mandina]

Of course it depends on your water, brush, and the specific soap, but I typically have to load the brush for 60 seconds or more--two full minutes for MWF and Pre de Provence. That gives me enough for 3 passes, and usually without wasted lather.

 

[njpaddy]

Never used MWF because I tend to stay away from lanolin products, but here's a mantic video on lathering MWF.

 

[attime6]

Whether it's a cream or soap start with a drier brush and add water as you go along.

 

[Deltaboy]

Spend more time loading the Brush and soak the puck while you shower.