Post your almonds

[Judge Dredd]

Everyone says to use an almond-size amount of shaving cream.

That never seems to be enough for me for a 3-pass shave (let alone the 4 passes I really need for a DFS).

So I'm wondering if my almonds aren't big enough. Or better yet, almonds are different sizes around the world.

I'm beginning to think that the North American almond is probably two or three times the size of the Australian almond (so, about the size of a lychee).

I was hoping to get some clarity and perhaps a consolidated and accepted definition of "almond" because as I currently see it, it's not a standardised measure.

 

[tmurzz]

So, the amount of shaving cream you use is the literal the size of an almond?

Most important phrase in shaving is YMMV.

Don't do what other people are telling you to do - do what works for you.

 

[Taborcarn]

With or without the shell?

 

[CFSoto]

This depends highly on your water.

My water here in Copenhagen, Denmark is literally ROCK HARD. My bathroom needs constantly to be cleaned from excessive lime on the walls and the sink in my bathroom.
This also heavily influences the amount of shaving cream you need to use. People living in areas with little lime in the water can literally create a lather explosion just looking at a shaving cream (slight exaggeration, but you get my point)

I need to use 2-3 large almonds of my cream from TOBS, GFT, TF&H, AOS and even Castle Forbes.
I use 2 large almond sizes of my Proraso, Santa Maria Novella and Musgo Real cream.

When I dip the brush directly in the pot, I make sure it's heavily covered with cream because I know I NEED TO USE MORE PRODUCT !

It also takes me longer to build the lather than if I had soft water.

Very good answer Claus. I have lived in places with very hard water also and it makes a world of difference with any type of lather or 'soap suds'. In the past,on several occasions,I've had to have water softening systems installed at my house. Anyway,your explanation was excellent.

Craig

 

[the_edski]

I thought the proper term was "snurdle" and I am not showing anybody what my snurdle looks like, that is just immoral and wrong!

P.s...this is yet another YMMV part of shaving and really, what part isn't?

 

[Judge Dredd]

So, the amount of shaving cream you use is the literal the size of an almond?

Most important phrase in shaving is YMMV.

Don't do what other people are telling you to do - do what works for you.

Well, it was when I was starting out, but now that I know more, as you say, I do what works for me - but that was a process of trial and error. It was just such a confusing measure for me as a noob that I thought it might help some of the other newbies if we clarified that an almond is a very loose guide at best. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a number of people feeling dissatisfied with their lather and considering giving up, when in fact all they probably need to do is upgrade the almond to a Brazil nut or a pecan.

And if it's too much, who cares? I've got so much product stashed away anyway, and if I go through it quicker it just means I get to buy more.

 

[brucered]

I use a Canadian Walnut size

 

[AjaxLepinski]

Lug nut for me!

 

[brucered]

I tend to use more then needed, rather then less.

I try not to be completely wasteful, but also want to make sure I get enough lather for my complete shave.

 

[AjaxLepinski]

I tend to use more then needed, rather then less.

I try not to be completely wasteful, but also want to make sure I get enough lather for my complete shave.

+1 to more than needed but, not completely wateful... I like a yogurt-like lather, heavy with water

 

[Feek]

Almond size is nowhere near enough for me with the hard water here. I just use loads!

 

[pipskicks]

YMMV is huuuuge. Your brush may take more lather and that may take more product. It's hard to just set one size of cream to use and never change it. The good part with cream is that if you need more, it's easy to add more, I hate going back to the puck after getting my hair all over my brush lol.

 

[brucered]

I can get away with a 1/4 teaspoon on some products, like AOS cream (proof here). But when I use Nancy Boy, I have to use considerable more.

it's just a matter of practice and experience. Now when I pick up a cream, there is no thought as to how much I need, it's just automatic, but I still air on the side of "more is better"