My Set Up and VDH Experiment

[DICE]

Snapped a quick pic of my setup after mixing up some custom Van Der Hagen shave soap. I like the VDH soap but wanted to add some menthol and a bit more scent, so I melted the soap down using the double boil method in my WalMart 96 cent stainless bowl. I added 1 tsp of Vick's BabyRub (contains aloe, eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender) and 1/2 tsp of Cool Wave aftershave. Then put it in the fridge to let it set up. Smells good, now I just need to try it out. Only been DE wet shaving for 2 weeks but am already hooked, and so far my Edwin Jagger DE89 with Derby blades has been treating me good

 

[catherix]

hmm, sounds like a good experiment! I would assume that everything in there should be fine to shave with since its designed to go on the skin anyways. I wonder what, if any, effect it would have on the lathering.

You got that bowl for 96 cents??!?! Man, I wish I'd seen that one when I bowl lathered! I suppose it'd be good for holding soap as well. Looks great with the rest of your setup sir!

 

[DICE]

Ok just got done trying it out. Seems as I am still having problems getting a good lather (the same problem I was having with the original VDH Deluxe) No matter how much soap I use or water I add the lather seems thin and dries out on my face fast. I have been swirling the brush in the bowl then lathering on my face. This new mixture I made didn't change performance of the soap at all but made it smell better. When I make my next batch I think I will just buy eucalyptus oil and use that, but put more in to get more of a menthol feeling. I am sure my lather problem will get better with experience. I have watched numerous videos trying to see different techniques, but cant seem to get it to work.

Oh yea the stainless bowl! they are 96 cents at WalMart, It was in the pet section, I think it was labeled as a cat bowl or something along those lines. It is perfect to hold my soap for my face lathering (or lack of haha)

 

[catherix]

Ok just got done trying it out. Seems as I am still having problems getting a good lather (the same problem I was having with the original VDH Deluxe) No matter how much soap I use or water I add the lather seems thin and dries out on my face fast. I have been swirling the brush in the bowl then lathering on my face. This new mixture I made didn't change performance of the soap at all but made it smell better. When I make my next batch I think I will just buy eucalyptus oil and use that, but put more in to get more of a menthol feeling. I am sure my lather problem will get better with experience. I have watched numerous videos trying to see different techniques, but cant seem to get it to work.

Oh yea the stainless bowl! they are 96 cents at WalMart, It was in the pet section, I think it was labeled as a cat bowl or something along those lines. It is perfect to hold my soap for my face lathering (or lack of haha)

Thanks for the info on the bowl. Might have to pick one up one of these days.

In regards to your lather issues, I would HIGHLY recommend more product. How long would you say that you're loading at the moment? Usually the problem with thin lather isn't too much water but rather not nearly enough product. Give this a try:

1. Soak brush in warm water a few minutes.
2. Pull the brush out and give it a couple good shakes. Not too hard, but a couple good ones.
3. Load the brush. Swirl on the soap for a good 60 seconds before you stop.
4. Go to your preferred lather method, either face or bowl. If you're face lathering, start with some circles under the chin/jawline to get the lather going.
5. Dip the tips of your brush and continue building. Continue to do this until you're satisfied with the consistency.

This method works well for most soaps and gives a lot of control over the water to product ratio. You can also try this, work great for soft soaps. My only other recommendation would be to do some test lathers. It might seem wasteful but quite frankly this stuff is CHEAP and some practice will do a number on your technique. Try starting with a wet brush, try starting with a dry brush. Try loading for 30 seconds, try loading for 60 seconds. And let me know if you need any help or have any questions.

 

[catherix]

Oh, you can also try this. The method I laid out above is the one that I use almost everyday; something sorta between Jim's method and Marco's method.

 

[DICE]

Thanks Catherix! My routine is:
-soak brush while showering or holding hot towel on face
-wet face with hot water
-shake brush out gently 2-3 times
-swirl brush tips around soap guessing 15 or so times
-lather one side of the face using circular motion (tried slow and fast no difference)
-swirl brush in soap again
-lather other side of the face
-dip tips of brush in water hoping this will foam up the lather
-doesn't work
-swirl brush in soap again and apply to face
-doesn't work
-this repeats itself for every lather for my three pass shave
-I just give up and shave with the flat lather

I will def look at all your links and try everything next shave! Thank you so much!

 

[catherix]

Yep, I would definitely say its a more product issue.
I'd say make 2 changes to your routine - shake out your brush with 2 GOOD shakes or so and load that soap like you hate it! 60 seconds or so.

You shouldn't have to go back to the puck again in the middle of the shave, the brush should be filled to the brim with lather after loading and lather building.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

 

[superkreep]

I found getting more product into the brush makes a huge different i.e. load and hydrate. Recently got a boar brush and it goes into beast mode ! They are pretty affordable, ~$20, I got the Semogue 2000. Good luck with the shaves !