How much lather?

[makays]

I'm confused! I use hard soaps in a mug. I start the lather in the mug, then complete making the lather on my face.

Here's my confusion:

When I watch Mantic's exellent videos, the one that shows making lathers, when he comes to making lather as I do, he starts out with just a "litte bit" of soap on the brush, before he starts on his face.

Then, I look at the excellent review of various grades of badger brushe done by Joel, here on B&B, he shows the brush just "heaped" in lather before he even starts to put it on his face. His photo showing "Lather beginning to build" looks like it has about the same amount of lather that Mantic has when he takes it to his face. Then Joel continues to make lots more lather.

Which is the correct amount, or is it just one of those "YMMV" things?

I'd appreciate any input.

 

[Jarmo P]

Lots more loading to brush with the soap than with Mark's video. The other advices on lathering are excellent.

 

[Ignatius]

^ +1

Never could fathom the 'three second swirl' thing; I lather on the puck for at least 20 seconds then on the face for at least 30 - 60.

 

[Eug]

Great question. I'm new to DE shaving as well and had the same exact question. I now currently build up lather in my mug for about 30 seconds and then transfer to my face to build some more.

Before, I tried to mimic Mantics video's and swirl the brush a few times on the puck with a brush fully loaded with water. With this technique, I didn't get nice, rich, creamy lather.

Now I load my brush with water, shake out some of the water, and begin loading the brush with the soap. I try and get the soap deep into the middle of the brush using a twisting plunger motion from time to time.

I believe the technique depends on how easily you can load your brush with the soap and the brush quality itself.

 

[makays]

Thanks for the input. I had sort of concluded for myself that I needed more soap than Mantic seemed to use. I was just afraid I was using too much soap.

Thanks again.