Loading Soap- need advice

[Darth Lather]

Hi guys.

FIRST, as I am new here, please let me know if there is a better area to post technique/newbie questions. If this is not appropriate here I am sure one of the mods will move it.

I have been spoiled since I started wetshaving a few weeks ago because up to now I have been using Proraso Shaving cream and I have never had a bad lather. It was pretty easy. I think Proraso SC is just very user friendly.

I got some MamaBear soap - 3 types. This was much harder to get a good lather.

I THINK my problem is loading the soap but it could be many different factors. I watched the video on Mamabear's website that shows how to do it.

I see the first step is puting water in the tub. I don't know how much and I don't know how long to let it set before trying to load the brush.

Is adding a couple tablespoons of water to the soap tub a normal step before loading?

My lather was not very slick, too foamy/airy. I think I needed more soap on my brush. Maybe let water sit longer on top of soap/puck ?? I am using a badger brush and its soft and seems like I am not getting enough soap on there.... maybe....

If its easier, maybe those that have been on here a while can just post some links to forum discussions or other videos. I did a search which was WAY too vast to read in one sitting - I need to narrow down the search.

Thanks guys!!!!!

 

[sproosemoose]

Soak your brush in hot water for 1 minute

Put some hot water on top of the soap for 1 min also.

Take out brush and shake *slightly*, so it's not toally just dripping wet.

Load the brush in circular motions for around 1 minute.

Lather on your face for around 1 minute, you should be good.

 

[Darth Lather]

I perfer to use a scuttle. Would anything change in your step-by-step if I used a bowl/scuttle to lather.

I doubt I let the water sit on the soap for a minute last time.

thanks

 

[Azza]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIsj58fqVjY

This video was very helpful for me, totally changed my perspective on soaps. Hope it helps.

Aaron

 

[matt]

I had been having some problems of my own loading soap when for a while after I started wetshaving. I started just soaking the brush for a good 3 minutes in hot water. then shaking out a minimal amount of water while not bending or snapping the rist. Then a quick flick of the brush. That usually leaves just enough water to load the soap on the brush and have a fine lather that doesn't need any tune ups during the shave. It also is faster IMHO.

 

[boomer56]

I've moved to a scuttle, seems to be relatively good at keeping warm things warm and wet things wet.

I'm sure there's a psychological test in that statement somewhere...

Anyway, I would suggest playing with the lather a bit, trying it with less or more water on your hand, cheek, or in your bowl, until you get what seems right for you, and remember the process. When what seemed right earlier is less clear later, understand how you got to where you are...

Sadly, so much of getting shaving right is science...and we were all bored with that back in 7th grade...

Some things you just can't dodge.

Let us know what works for you!

Boomer

 

[PipPip]

Two tablespoons of water seems a lot. I add about 1 teaspoon, let it sit on the soap for a few minutes whilst my brush soaks in warm water. Then I pour the water off the soap into the bowl, shake most of the water out of the brush and then load the brush with soap for at least 30 seconds before starting my lather. Generally I add a few extra drops of hot water, depends on the soap. I get masses of great lather with this technique from several different brands of soap.

 

[dpmtherrien]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIsj58fqVjY

This video was very helpful for me, totally changed my perspective on soaps. Hope it helps.

Aaron

I've watched this video too. Some good tips, and very helpful.

 

[kingfisher]

Doing what is shown in the video should yield you a good lather; however, it wastes a ton of soap. He washes 5 or 6 good shaves down the drain.

You should read the soap lathering tutorial sticky thread. If you follow those instructions, you should be able to get a great lather out of the MB soaps, without washing most of it down the drain.

Let me summarize it.

1) soak the brush, but then let the water run out, shake it a couple of times, and then squeeze water out of it, so it is relatively dry.
2) work the brush on the soap for a good while, until there is a lot of soap clumping on the bristles, then do it some more. There should be a thick paste forming on top of the soap (not a lather) and it should be harder and harder to move the brush around on top of the soap
3) Move the brush to a lathering bowl and begin to swirl it, adding a little bit of water at a time. Incorporate each new bit of water completely before adding more water
4) Repeat step 3 over and over again until you get the lather you want.

My additional suggestions: 1) buy an Omega boar brush. they can be had for about 10 bucks. They are soap monsters. 2) after loading the brush, make your lather calmly; in other words, don't flail the brush around like a breakfast chef trying to prepare eggs for a omelet; the chef does that to get a lot of air into the egg mixture. You want your lather to be mostly water and soap with just enough air to make it into a beautiful lather. Too much air ruins a lather.

 

[xivex]

Overload the brush with soap. Do way more than you think is necessary. Then try to lather.

Experiment with a bowl and the soap without shaving. Just whip up a batch of lather, trial & error with the water, brush loading, mix. Then throw it out and do another one. Do 3 of those experiemental bowls and I bet you'll have it down.


X

 

[shmeegs]

I've moved to a scuttle, seems to be relatively good at keeping warm things warm and wet things wet.

I'm sure there's a psychological test in that statement somewhere...

Anyway, I would suggest playing with the lather a bit, trying it with less or more water on your hand, cheek, or in your bowl, until you get what seems right for you, and remember the process. When what seemed right earlier is less clear later, understand how you got to where you are...

Sadly, so much of getting shaving right is science...and we were all bored with that back in 7th grade...

Some things you just can't dodge.

Let us know what works for you!

Boomer

BINGO. Lather is a science. What builds a good lather for you, won't work for me. Try changing different areas of your lather. More/ less soap. Hot/cold water. Where you build it? It's all different.

This is what I do.

1) soak your brush in hot water and put enough hot water on the top on the puck while you shower

2) squeeze out half to 3/4th of the water in the brush and swirl the brush over the puck until you don't see any big bubbles anymore (usually about 30 secs)

3)lather over face until no bubbles at all (usually 1 more min)

4) when you are done shaving, remember to use or save the uberlather in the brush. Placing that on your puck and letting it dry with make for an easier, better lather the next time around.


Like I said, patience is a virtue when it comes to traditional wetshaving. Try it out and if it doesn't work, go back to it a week later and you might be shocked to see that it works.

 

[DizzyArnaz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIsj58fqVjY

This video was very helpful for me, totally changed my perspective on soaps. Hope it helps.

Aaron

Thanks for this Aaron. I watched earlier today and kept it in mind when making my lather for tonight's shave. It was very helpful.