Lather - How mutch water?

[Ralle1900]

hi.
i seem to be having trouble getting a good lather, as i really have no idea how mutch water i need?

when do i know if its too dry?
or when its too wet?

i am using Proraso shaving cream.

anyone with some good advise?

 

[talbotdale]

I found this tutorial to be helpful http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2125020

He is using the same cream as you. I have been using "Real Shaving Co.'s" shaving cream. I find that I typically "half squeeze the water out of my Rooney 1/1 then, after whipping the lather for about a minute, I usually add around another 1/4 tsp. of water. I whip this more and this usually gives me the lather I'm looking for.

Good luck,

Tal

 

[talbotdale]

I should also mention that I think the "finding the lather's sweet spot" technique is very educational. Start whipping your lather for about a minute, add a 1/4 tsp. of water, whip for another 45 seconds, another 1/4 tsp., another 45 seconds. Do this until you have obviously added way too much water and the lather won't stand in meringue-like peaks. This will show you what your lather is capable of. On subsequent lathers you will know what consistency you are looking for.

This technique is somewhere on this forum. I think it is explained more fully in the wiki.

Again, good luck and enjoy,

Tal

 

[AnB_Daddy]

Here is a video another member showed me when I had the same question.

http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59#p/u/52/fXVxXvv_8yk

 

[Ralle1900]

it seems like acording to the tutorial that my lather has been waaay too wet.
thank you for the advise. i well tell you in the morning here is i have had any improvements

 

[sodajerk]

it seems like acording to the tutorial that my lather has been waaay too wet.
thank you for the advise. i well tell you in the morning here is i have had any improvements

Very well could be too wet. In the experiment mentioned above, you begin dry and slowly build to the slickest lather possible. This experiment is easiest to control if you use a bowl.

Main thing -- go by feel, not looks! Good luck!!

 

[Chisanga]

I think my later has been way too dry.... it has been fun experimenting a bit recently but I seem to be going through a whole load more shave cream/soap

 

[ducatisteve]

I took about half an hour one day and just practiced lather (without shaving). I would start very dry in the bowl, feel what the cream was like, and slowly added small amounts of water, feeling how it changed the lather each time until it became obviously too wet or soupy. After about four batches I got it down pretty well and now I can get a pretty consistant lather out of any soap/cream/combo. The process is still always the same though. Soak the brush in the bowl of hot water, dump/squeeze/shake dry, start mixing the cream or soap and begin adding water until I reach the consistancy I like. I find it I start with anything more than about a half teaspoon of water in the bowl it will blow up into a frothy mess and take longer to make.

 

[ferroburak]

1/4 teaspoon is just a drop.. Isn't it too little?

 

[tpoof]

I took about half an hour one day and just practiced lather (without shaving). I would start very dry in the bowl, feel what the cream was like, and slowly added small amounts of water, feeling how it changed the lather each time until it became obviously too wet or soupy. After about four batches I got it down pretty well and now I can get a pretty consistant lather out of any soap/cream/combo. The process is still always the same though. Soak the brush in the bowl of hot water, dump/squeeze/shake dry, start mixing the cream or soap and begin adding water until I reach the consistancy I like. I find it I start with anything more than about a half teaspoon of water in the bowl it will blow up into a frothy mess and take longer to make.

I did the same and feel others should as well...
learn what your brush and soap or cream can do.

 

[galopede]

How much water?

All I can add is - As much as you need! I've found every soap and cream has different requirements.

I face lather and I know when it feels right.

Good advice above on practising in a bowl.

Gareth

 

[BladeRunner001]

I found this tutorial to be helpful http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2125020

He is using the same cream as you. I have been using "Real Shaving Co.'s" shaving cream. I find that I typically "half squeeze the water out of my Rooney 1/1 then, after whipping the lather for about a minute, I usually add around another 1/4 tsp. of water. I whip this more and this usually gives me the lather I'm looking for.

Good luck,

Tal

+1

 

[Luc]

I also did a thread that shows lather that's too wet or too dry here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2141228

You don't need much water. Keep in mind, it's easier to fix a lather that's too dry than too wet. To add your water, dip the tip of the bristles in water, just a quick dip, not deep or use your hand and let a few drops fall from your fingers.

 

[asmaan]

I always shake my brush a couple of times more than I really think is necessary. It mostly works, and is a good rule when I use different brushes from time to time (and forget how much water every brush needs).