I started out bowl lathering, and with only a little bit of initial difficulty moved to face lathering probably around week five or six of my DE shaving adventure. This was about the time I started experimenting with soaps and both loading and the ratio of product to water were mysterious to me. I haven't looked back and have been strictly face lathering for the past six months or so. I think my real breakthrough was using a shave stick and getting enough product on my face.
Tonight, I decided to dig out my old latte cup and bowl lather again. I have been testing (and strictly in the name of science acquiring) too many new brushes lately, and I was concerned that in my enthusiasm I was lathering myself raw. My first surprise was how much easier it was to get the hydration and consistency that I wanted now that I have a little more insight into how to load up product and now that I have an inkling of what I am shooting for. Also, I found that with my prep, minimally working the lather into my beard is sufficient, so long as I give it a couple three minutes on my face before I start the shave. I noticed during that initial three minutes I had no drying or thinning of the lather, so I didn't even have to resmooth it. I also had more consistent lather pass to pass and a thoroughly pleasant shave.
I still prefer face lathering, but my question is, have any of you gone back to bowl lather after having been a long time face latherer?
Thanks,
Alan
Tonight, I decided to dig out my old latte cup and bowl lather again. I have been testing (and strictly in the name of science acquiring) too many new brushes lately, and I was concerned that in my enthusiasm I was lathering myself raw. My first surprise was how much easier it was to get the hydration and consistency that I wanted now that I have a little more insight into how to load up product and now that I have an inkling of what I am shooting for. Also, I found that with my prep, minimally working the lather into my beard is sufficient, so long as I give it a couple three minutes on my face before I start the shave. I noticed during that initial three minutes I had no drying or thinning of the lather, so I didn't even have to resmooth it. I also had more consistent lather pass to pass and a thoroughly pleasant shave.
I still prefer face lathering, but my question is, have any of you gone back to bowl lather after having been a long time face latherer?
Thanks,
Alan