Ogalla Lather Problems

[redwoolf]

I recently purchased a new puck of Ogalla Bay Rum and Sandalwood shaving soap, and the beautiful thing just wont lather for me. In reading through the reviews for the old formulation of the soap, it appears those problems are persisting for me. When did the reformulation take place? Is there a chance that I have a remaining puck of old stuff?

I've tried two different brushes on four different occasions and no matter what the lather is light and airy. It presents all of the problems for which the old formulation was criticized.

 

[FreezerBurns]

Have you tried face lathering? For me, that's the only way to go when using Ogallala.

 

[redwoolf]

Have you tried face lathering? For me, that's the only way to go when using Ogallala.

I did, but it was a half hearted attempt after mounting frustration. That could be tried again on the next shave. Do you get a nice foamy lather? Or is it still light and airy? The only other glycerin based soap I have experience with is Honeybee Spa, and I've never had trouble with that one....

 

[ShaveAddict]

It could be an old batch of soap that you got,
but me i purchased a puck of Ogalla and used it for the first time yesterday and for me it is the easiest soap to lather.
And the lather is very thick.
Did you melt your soap before using it?

 

[redwoolf]

It could be an old batch of soap that you got,
but me i purchased a puck of Ogalla and used it for the first time yesterday and for me it is the easiest soap to lather.
And the lather is very thick.
Did you melt your soap before using it?

No I didn't melt it. Did you? Do you suggest that I do melt it?

 

[ShaveAddict]

No I didn't melt it. Did you? Do you suggest that I do melt it?

Yes,
it's written on the box of the soap to put it in the microwave for about 45 sec when first use.
What i done is i let the soap in the microwave until it got all liquid and after i poured the liquid soap in my shave mug.
And hour after the soap return into his solid shape and it's ready to use.

 

[MrGuy]

Sometimes glycerin based soaps develop a "skin" that makes lathering nearly impossible. Melting it into a container would fix this, or taking a very wet brush and just spend a good couple of minutes lathering on top of the puck a time or two would help as well. I just bought a puck of the bay rum, lime, and peppercorn and I couldn't be happier with the performance. I melted mine down into a mug by cutting it into about 8 pieces then short bursts in the microwave with gentile stirring between before using it.

 

[FreezerBurns]

I did, but it was a half hearted attempt after mounting frustration. That could be tried again on the next shave. Do you get a nice foamy lather? Or is it still light and airy? The only other glycerin based soap I have experience with is Honeybee Spa, and I've never had trouble with that one....

When I use a bowl I get the airy lather but when when I face lather it's nice and thick. I always make sure to use a lot of soap too, I really load up the brush.

 

[jonwings]

I have a Ogalalla Bay Rum and Sandalwood Shave stick that I use to face lather and I get a nice thick lather everytime. It is actually one of my favorite soaps.

 

[gaj90027]

When having problems lathering a new soap I always load the brush up more than I think I should and then I go back to the old lather practice sessions I used to do. Start adding water a few drops at a time and keep whipping until the lather is perfect and then keep going until it's a runny mess. Do this a couple times and you will recognize when the lather is at it's best for the particular soap you are using.

For some reason, Ogallala was a hard soap for me to learn to lather with. I kept stopping when it was way too dry and the resulting lather would just dissapear on my face. Now I know with any new soap that if I loaded the brush well with soap that I just need to keep adding water and it will be fine.

I use Ogallala bay rum lime & peppercorns as well as the new scent bay rum & sweet orange

 

[JPM]

It could be an old batch of soap that you got,
but me i purchased a puck of Ogalla and used it for the first time yesterday and for me it is the easiest soap to lather.
And the lather is very thick.
Did you melt your soap before using it?

+1. I usually get a really thick lather with this soap.

 

[redwoolf]

Thanks for all the advice.

I thought the mentioning of microwaving the soap was just to clarify that it was an option. Some posters here have expressed that after microwaving a soap it loses it scents. I will try it though since ShaveAddict had such succes with it.

Also, face lathering with ogalla does yeld better results than bowl lather.

 

[ShaveAddict]

Thanks for all the advice.

I thought the mentioning of microwaving the soap was just to clarify that it was an option. Some posters here have expressed that after microwaving a soap it loses it scents. I will try it though since ShaveAddict had such succes with it.

Also, face lathering with ogalla does yeld better results than bowl lather.

There is only one thing ,
if your wife/girlfriend is like mine she will yell at you once she would know that you put the soap in the microwave.

 

[MrMoJoe]

I wish I had an answer for you; the only thing I can figure is you got a bad puck. Other than experimenting with more/less water and time spent loading the brush, I can't imagine. For me, Ogalalla produces the complete opposite of light and airy lather. In fact, it's lather is unique as I find it to be very dense as opposed to fluffy, texture more like a clay mask than cotton candy. It's just the nature of the soap, but for me it yields outstanding shaves. Good luck with it and hang in there.

 

[redwoolf]

Sometimes glycerin based soaps develop a "skin" that makes lathering nearly impossible. Melting it into a container would fix this, or taking a very wet brush and just spend a good couple of minutes lathering on top of the puck a time or two would help as well. I just bought a puck of the bay rum, lime, and peppercorn and I couldn't be happier with the performance. I melted mine down into a mug by cutting it into about 8 pieces then short bursts in the microwave with gentile stirring between before using it.

So it seems this was the issue. After running the soap under water and rubbing the top of the puck for a few minutes to remove this skin, I was able to finally load the brush enough and build the glorious lather I had been hoping from. I would never have thought of this myself, as I hadn't had this problem with any of my other glycerin soaps. Thanks all for chiming.

 

[MrGuy]

So it seems this was the issue. After running the soap under water and rubbing the top of the puck for a few minutes to remove this skin, I was able to finally load the brush enough and build the glorious lather I had been hoping from. I would never have thought of this myself, as I hadn't had this problem with any of my other glycerin soaps. Thanks all for chiming.

Just one of the handy tips you pick up if you spend enough time here. Good to hear the lather is improving for you, I'm pretty impressed with Ogallala soaps and the AS/cologne as well

 

[redwoolf]

Just one of the handy tips you pick up if you spend enough time here. Good to hear the lather is improving for you, I'm pretty impressed with Ogallala soaps and the AS/cologne as well

Yeah, after receiving a sample of the Bay Rum and Sandalwood aftershave from Bullgoose, I had to return to try the soap and pick up a bottle of the Bay Rum aftershave. Next time I do a AS and soap purchase, I'll be picking up the Bay Rum and Sandalwood AS and maybe the peppercorn soap.