Lather Inconsistency Between Hand and Mug.

[Tipsy McStagger]

I have been struggling with my Proraso green soap the last couple weeks, I was using AoS cream previously, and I have refused to give up on it. Today I went back and watched a Youtube on getting a good lather and tried what I saw, like loading the tips much more gently than what I was doing, but I ended up with the same results, a weak lather. Just for my own edification and slight desperation, I gave the hand lather build a shot and ended up with a much, much better lather, dare I say almost perfect based on what I have seen in many of your screenshots.

This makes me think the issue is my mug, though I am not exactly sure why. It is an oversized, ceramic coffee mug I got from Bed Bath and Beyond. So I guess I have two questions:

1. Could the mug material be hurting my lather?

2. Does anyone have a mug suggestion that they achieve great lathers with?

 

[CraigarTA]

It could actually come down to how much water is left in the mug or how hot the mug is. They mug I have has a soap puck in it then I lather on my face

 

[Harry Snider]

I get great lathers with my mug(face)! Give face lathering a shot!

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

The water usage was the same. The mug had no standing water. Only what little was left in the brush after squeezing. Once I saw a good lather forming on my hand, I did add a few drops to the tip of my fingers and worked that in to get a better lather. However, when I added a similar amount in the mug, the results were very different. The mug lather remained flat.

 

[mftoms59]

If your water is too hot the stability of the lather will not be as stable as a slightly cooler, but still warm-hot lather, do not use water that has boiled or is close to boiling. Personally I'd recommend you try a couple of face lathers... you might really like it. If you really want to bowl lather go to a second-hand/ Goodwill store and look for a Spice Mortar Bowl, ~5.5-6" in diameter & ~3-3.5" deep. The textured bottom does change the feel/texture of your lather & it will retain heat very well.

 

[oldbluelight]

If your water is too hot the stability of the lather will not be as stable as a slightly cooler, but still warm-hot lather, do not use water that has boiled or is close to boiling. Personally I'd recommend you try a couple of face lathers... you might really like it. If you really want to bowl lather go to a second-hand/ Goodwill store and look for a Spice Mortar Bowl, ~5.5-6" in diameter & ~3-3.5" deep. The textured bottom does change the feel/texture of your lather & it will retain heat very well.

mftoms59 may be on to something there with texture. Consider the fact that your palm has a texture from the creases, the uneven surface, your fingers and your fingerprints. That texture may be providing just the right amount of extra agitation on the tips of your brush to boost the build of the lather. The recommendation for face lathering is also a way to take advantage of the texture provided by your stubble or, in my case, deep folds and wrinkles.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

The texture point is a good one. This thing is polished super smooth. Makes sense. Thanks guys.

 

[ricardo9505]

my guess is your brush and not loading enough.
It took me a while to discover the wonders of a denser brush and how I was missing out on superb lather and lubrication.
as some wise shaving vet taught me here: when in doubt, load more!!!

 

[ricardo9505]

also try dropping like a teaspoon of warm water in the bug beforehand. if you're using proraso soap in a tub this is a non issue

 

[KW Driver]

I'm going with texture too. If you want to work with that mug, grab some 60/80 grit sandpaper and scuff the bottom/sides of the mug. The more scuffed, the better.

Or, find something else, and put coffee in your mug. Or a puck of soap.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

Quick update, sandpapered the heck out of the mug, took a few iterations, but finally got an amazing lather. I believe my brush even cheered in excitement.

 

[mftoms59]

I'm glad the texture tip worked in your favor, I had picked up the Spice Mortar when I used to use Boars. I found the textured surface aided in splaying the tips, and I also noticed the lather seemed different than when I used smooth surfaced bowls. Since curiosity had gotten the best of me, I made side by side lathers, using smooth bowl & Mortar bowl. I used my Badgers; Best, Finest & Silver-Tip, as well as my Horses & Horse/Badger brushes, each time the lather from my Mortar seem superior.