Need help with SCS cream

[swinchen]

Hi All,

I got my Saint Charles Shave "Very V" in the mail today.

Every time I get a new lather I do a "hand lather" to test it out and see what proper hydration is. For the life of me I can not seem to get a lather... mostly suds, but not the "too much water" kind of suds. I started very dry, with about an almond sized glob of cream, and added ~ 1/4 tsp water at a time, checking progress after each addition until the foam was clearly over hydrated and provided very little slip in my hand.

It is hard to explain... almost like suds that are trying to be a lather.

Where something like Musgo Real turns into a thick, creamy, stick to your hands kind of lather my SCS seems frothy and light.

Any ideas? I know SCS is a tricky cream to get right... but I think I have a pretty good test system down.

Thanks for any advice,
Sam

 

[SmoovD]

My system for SCS creams is to use a damp brush with a pea-sized amount of cream. Lather directly on face. Add water a few drops at a time until your lather is built. The cream takes a lot of water. What I have found is that by starting with too much product it really makes the build a chore- one really has to add a lot of water. I only build enough for each pass.

 

[swinchen]

My system for SCS creams is to use a damp brush with a pea-sized amount of cream. Lather directly on face. Add water a few drops at a time until your lather is built. The cream takes a lot of water. What I have found is that by starting with too much product it really makes the build a chore- one really has to add a lot of water. I only build enough for each pass.

I will have to give that a shot. I felt like perhaps I wasn't using enough product... it is a very deceiving cream.

 

[swinchen]

So I just tried a hand lather using a pea sized amount... same problem. Maybe it is something to do with the water here. I may pick up a jug of spring water at the store and give it a shot.

Here is the PERFECT analogy for the lathers I am experiencing:

Musgo Real = Whipped Cream
SCS Very-V = Whipped Egg Whites

If you don't cool that won't be very helpful... if you do you will know exactly what I mean.

Sam

 

[SmoovD]

How I found the right water/cream ratio was to keep adding water, a few drop s at a time, way more than I would ever have thought. I just kept adding drops and working the brush. My intention was to eventually add too much water. With the adding of water I would check the lather for density and slickness. I hit the spot but kept adding water until the lather broke down.

Yes, I sometimes have too much time on my hands. Really, it only took a few minutes. Whenever I have a build problem I like to try this experiment just to see where the sweet spot is to be found.

My water is quite hard so I can sympathize with your dilemma.

Good luck.

IMO, the creams are worth the extra effort but YMMV.

 

[swinchen]

I busted out the shave bowl this time and tried for a 5th time tonight...

slowly adding water the foam just got less and less slippery. I am thinking I may end up calling this one a loss. Luckily the soap is a lot better.

 

[Gruder]

You may find the discussion in this thread helpful: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=136508

 

[swinchen]

You may find the discussion in this thread helpful: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=136508

I feel like I should apologize... I just saw that post this morning. Sometimes I get so anxious that I don't spend the appropriate amount of time looking for an existing post. Sorry, I know it is bad form.


Sam

 

[Gruder]

I feel like I should apologize... I just saw that post this morning. Sometimes I get so anxious that I don't spend the appropriate amount of time looking for an existing post. Sorry, I know it is bad form.


Sam

No worries here. Other sites are full of "use the search" posts, but we're a far more helpful and accepting bunch! Hope you get your lather issues squared away. What keeps me coming back to Sue's creams personally is the amazing scents. They're worth the modicum of extra effort, IMHO.