Mama bear soaps, is there something I'm missing?

[Rothman]

I received some samples today and couldn't wait to try one.

I tried everything I could think of and could not get a decent lather. Sure it was nice and thick right after making it (in a bowl) but, once I applied it, it dissipated far too quickly to use. I would get just a few strokes in with my DE and by the time I shook my razor out in the sink and came back to shaving the lather was all but gone. It took me at least three times as long to shave my face and head today because I had to apply and re-make lather so many times.

I used less water, to the point that it took a rediculousy long time to get enough lather to apply. It seemed much thicker but the scenario was the same once applied.

I tried more water, it was far worse.

I tried face lathering, more of the same.

FYI I was using a Proraso boar brush (omega).

One entire sample (a fair sized one at that) was used up and not a single good lather came from it.

What am I missing?

 

[Emanon]

Sorry, I can't help, I have no answer. But I am a little surprised. I don't use Mama Bear but I have and had no problems such as you describe. I thought it lathered well and lasted. I bowl lathered and used a Boar.

 

[wimbouman]

Strange.
Maybe it is the water. Have you tried other glycerin soaps before?

 

[SliceOfLife]

Mama uses a well-regarded glycerin soap mix as I understand, but some people just don't care for glycerin (aka clear aka melt and pour aka etc) soaps when compared to cold process stuff like Panna Crema. The advantages are mostly scenting (many more scents available, typically more experienced scenters at work (MB has been making dozens of scents since before I started wet shaving, usually stronger scents that don't leave the soap as quickly)).

In my experience you can get good lather from glycerin soaps, but it requires a better brush than the easier traditional soaps (cella, tabac, etc). I whip up quite solid lather from my glycerin soaps with a dense badger, but I wouldn't want to go back to a VDH boar with them.

 

[Rothman]

This is my first glycerin based soap experience. I admit that I am a cream guy but I have used a couple different soaps with no such problems before. My water isn't particularly hard so I don't see that as much of a factor.

 

[Chris H]

Boar brushes have an ability to soak up and hold a surprising amount of water, so I would start with a relatively dry brush and add the water a few drops at a time. Mama Bear will froth up in to a big bubbly lather easily, but if you don't have enough soap it will quickly dissipate. Maybe try loading for about 45 seconds and if you're using those little sliver samples, be sure to melt it down in a bowl or something with a large surface area so you load enough soap.

 

[Emanon]

Strange.
Maybe it is the water. Have you tried other glycerin soaps before?

My home has a water soften. I've only used Mama Bear and VDH Deluxe as far as glycerin goes. Bother worked well.

 

[Mr5x5]

Odd. I would say use more product but that can't be the issue. I get 2 or 3 shaves out of her samples. Hope you can get it to work for you. I've never tried cream and maybe it is that different? MB is my everyday soap and I just use a VDH Boar to face lather.

 

[shep12]

Mama Bear soaps, for me, usually have a great lather. I have used both boar and badger brushes with the same result. I have only experienced the problem you did if the lather gets too hot....for example, using a scuttle and using very hot water. Could it have gotten too hot?

 

[Graybeard57]

I've gotten good lather with both badger and boar from MB soaps. I encourage you to just keep at it, and you'll find the right combo of water and soap. Enjoy!

 

[Schemaman]

What Chris H said. Also, when I use Mama Bear Soaps, I find I don't get giant lather, but it's enough and really really slick. My favorite so far is Northwoods Camp (as opposed to the one just called Northwoods).

 

[Rothman]

I have some more samples, I'll try another tonight. I cold water shave/lather so the heat should also not be the issue. I can't imagine starting with a dryer brush but, I will try it nonetheless.

 

[Mick]

try with a dryer brush then add water until you get the right ratio of soap/water. It should pop lather.

 

[SafetyRZRBgnr78]

I have to face lather with the samples being that they were pretty small.

I own a tube of Andy's mint and I don't have a problem with it. I soak my brush with warm water and shake it out 3 times. Then I load it for about a minute or so Ioh I also put a few drops on top of the soap too. I scrape the excess off into my bowl and whip it up until it becomes thick then I add drop of more water if I need too.

That was using hard water and it worked great. I now use filter water but haven't used my MB with it yet. I'm sure it will work even better.

 

[Cholli]

As glycerine soaps I tried Mama Bear, Kell's and Col. Conk. And Mama Bear was the only soap I got real good lather from. The two others flopped with lather.

 

[Charms434]

I heard their lime ice is great in the summer

 

[Chevyguy]

Just used the Awakenings SS from Mama Bear. I have semi hard water so I have to start with a semi dry brush and load up with a little more soap. I facelather so I add water as I go so I get a wet and slick lather. Sue doesn't use a melt and pour soap base she makes her own from scratch.

Clayton

 

[Foyle]

If your lather is disappearing, you're not loading enough soap on the brush. More loading should take care of your problem.

 

[bassopotamus]

My first thought is that it is hard to really load enough product from her samples. I used MB exclusively for about a year (before I discovered the wonder's of Tallow) and never had those kinds of problems

 

[Chris H]

It's not really hard to load from the samples if you melt them down. It won't ruin the scent (as far as I can tell) and you just have to wait an hour or so for them to cool.