Lather volume?

[causalfault]

Alright, gentlemen, I'm having trouble with my lather volume (it's too loud and the fiancé keeps nagging ::rimshot:: ).

It seems that no matter what I try, I can't seem to generate the copious amounts of lather that everyone here seems to enjoy. I've been following the Lather-Building tutorials here, and still can't quite figure it out. I've also strayed from the threads here and tried Mantic59's methods (which seem to call for a wetter brush and less time on the puck than the tutorials here, from what I can tell), and they don't seem to work for me really well, either -- tonight, for example, my lather was thin and airy and didn't provide nearly the cushion I needed. My poor styptic pencil got quite the workout this evening. I have found that using a relatively dry brush and spending a little more time on the puck, then adding a few dips' worth of water a little bit at a time provides me with a much more protective lather, but the volume still isn't quite there. Am I just not using enough water, or enough soap, or too much of either, or what?

Does anyone have some super-secret lather-building advice for a relative newcomer like myself? I'm using an AoS Pure Badger and AoS soap, and bowl lathering. My routine is typically something like this:

-Soak brush in hot water for about five minutes during shower, pour about two tablespoons of hot water onto soap
-Squeeze most of the moisture out of brush
-Work brush on puck for about twenty seconds or so
-Dump soap/water goo off puck into bowl
-Work lather for about two minutes, usually adding a little bit of water dipped out of the scuttle with the brush

Still I can't get more than about two passes' worth with this. Three if I squeeze the super-juice out of the brush at the end.


Help me, B&B Kenobi, you're my only hope.

 

[SiBurning]

It's possible to increase the volume by adding air. If you're happy with the lather you're making now, try adding a bit more water to the brush once the lather is depleted and try again, or switch to face lathering at that point. There might be more in the brush that you can work into a wetter, but still effective lather. A lot of people like to have a wetter lather for later passes. Or, just make more of it by spending more time on the puck.

 

[Go West Young Man]

What brush and soap are you using? Sounds like you just need more product on the brush, personally I hit my hardest soap (AOS puck) with a full 60 seconds of swirling, mashing and general brush abuse.

Also, there's no shame in re-loading your brush for a 2nd or 3rd pass if that's what you need.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I wonder if the mineral content of your water might have something to do with it. You might want to get a couple different types of bottled water and see if that might have something to do with it. Possibly a different kind of soap. I picked up some C.O. Bigelow awhile back. While I get good lathers from just about anything I throw the brush and scuttle at, the Bigelow is like a lather explosion.

 

[xtalicious]

Like most things, practice makes perfect. Why don't you spend an evening making lather several times in a row, varying one of the conditions each time? It may help you develop a consistent technique for your usual shaves.

 

[xgunterx]

Note that volume is a lot less important than the consistency of the lather itself.

Do some test lathering in the palm of your hand and then judge how the lather should look and feels (more important) like. Thick in consistency and moist at the same time.
Once you know how good lather looks like, than continue how you normally lather.

 

[BlackBard]

Alright, gentlemen, I'm having trouble with my lather volume (it's too loud and the fiancé keeps nagging ::rimshot:: ).

It seems that no matter what I try, I can't seem to generate the copious amounts of lather that everyone here seems to enjoy. I've been following the Lather-Building tutorials here, and still can't quite figure it out. I've also strayed from the threads here and tried Mantic59's methods (which seem to call for a wetter brush and less time on the puck than the tutorials here, from what I can tell), and they don't seem to work for me really well, either -- tonight, for example, my lather was thin and airy and didn't provide nearly the cushion I needed. My poor styptic pencil got quite the workout this evening. I have found that using a relatively dry brush and spending a little more time on the puck, then adding a few dips' worth of water a little bit at a time provides me with a much more protective lather, but the volume still isn't quite there. Am I just not using enough water, or enough soap, or too much of either, or what?

Does anyone have some super-secret lather-building advice for a relative newcomer like myself? I'm using an AoS Pure Badger and AoS soap, and bowl lathering. My routine is typically something like this:

-Soak brush in hot water for about five minutes during shower, pour about two tablespoons of hot water onto soap
-Squeeze most of the moisture out of brush
-Work brush on puck for about twenty seconds or so
-Dump soap/water goo off puck into bowl
-Work lather for about two minutes, usually adding a little bit of water dipped out of the scuttle with the brush

Still I can't get more than about two passes' worth with this. Three if I squeeze the super-juice out of the brush at the end.


Help me, B&B Kenobi, you're my only hope.

I notice you are using AOS soap, which is has great lathering qualities. I believe you are using too much water initially. Two tablespoons on the puck is way more than I would think necessary. In fact, I don't believe watering down a puck in advance of applying the brush is really necessary, in most cases.

As was said in an earlier reply, copious amounts of lather is not the goal and is not required for good results. What you need is proper consistency more than great quantity. I recommend trying face lathering, as it is easier to tell if the lather is right, because it is already on your face. Remember this important maxim: It is easier to add water to lather than it is to remove it. Start with more soap on your brush and add water very sparingly until you get the consistency you need. Practice. Practice. Practice.

 

[rosborne]

I too don't end up with a copious amount of lather like I've seen in some pics and videos around here and on Mantics stuff. First, be sure they aren't making super lather, soap plus creme. All that matters is that the lather provides cushion and is slick. Don't worry about a cup full of lather. I haven't used AOS but I have used several different soaps that all provide enough lather for 4+ passes without a bowl full of lather. Stick with Kyle's method, adding a little water at a time. I'm not familiar with the AOS brush but some brushes are called lather hogs. This may be one that holds a lot of lather in the bristles. Perhaps try a different brush. Hope this helps.

 

[Dib]

I shave my head as well with every shave and always have to reload. Don't be afraid to reload, you can always buy more pucks and creams.

 

[shmeegs]

Reload, reload, reload.

It beats ending up with a red face and redder marks everywhere.