So I don't shave every day, 1 because I don't need to, and 2 because there's just something great about shaving off a few days growth. But I usually get the urge to lather up and give new techniques a shot. I do this all the time. It's become a guilty pleasure that I don't plan on giving up anytime soon. I know I'm wasting my soaps and creams, but its just an enjoyable experience for me. Anyone else share this "practice" lather obsession?
"Practice" lather
- Thread starter Nashty
- Start date
Yes sir! Still do it with every single new brush and often (not always) with new soap acquisitions to try to 'dial in' the lather.
It's also good fun. Highly recommended for newbies to make a few test lathers every day to get a handle on their mix.
It's also good fun. Highly recommended for newbies to make a few test lathers every day to get a handle on their mix.
Whenever i get the chance or a new or used brush! Practice makes perfect. 
I shave every other day and found last year after a host of new brush & soap purchases, my "lathering skills" went really bad - slow and poor lather resulting!
I figured that since I was rotating between badger & boar brushes with soaps that ran the gamut from shea butter (Honeybee) soft soaps (Cella, Velobra), creams (KMF, Proraso, Spieck) that it was my technique and understanding how different soaps & brushes worked together. So on my "off days" I selected a brush with a certain style of soap and would actually practice my lathering until I became reasonably proficient with the different brush / soap combinations
Gene
I figured that since I was rotating between badger & boar brushes with soaps that ran the gamut from shea butter (Honeybee) soft soaps (Cella, Velobra), creams (KMF, Proraso, Spieck) that it was my technique and understanding how different soaps & brushes worked together. So on my "off days" I selected a brush with a certain style of soap and would actually practice my lathering until I became reasonably proficient with the different brush / soap combinations
Gene
It's not a waste if you enjoy it.
Since you're experimenting, it's not really a waste of soaps and creams when improving technique, learning the quirks of a new brush, or finding out how much water that soap or cream can absorb while remaining usable before breaking down to a runny mess.
This is a process I always recommend, and if more new shavers did a few practice lathers they might solve their own lathering problems, and become less frustrated when less than acceptable results are achieved when trying a new brush, soap or cream.
As Celestino said practice makes perfect. I do test lathers all the time. It helps me dial in my technique and gives me the chance to try different brush and software combos.
I do it, too. You're not really using all that much soap since it takes so little to begin with,
and it sure makes for better lather and better shaves.
Just the other day I found a stainless steel bowl that I'd forgot I even had (picked it up at a yard sale probably 10 years ago). I didn't need to shave that day, but I couldn't wait to see how it would work. A few minutes later I had a great lather going. It's now my bowl for using at home. I have a plastic one I take on the road with me.
and it sure makes for better lather and better shaves.
Just the other day I found a stainless steel bowl that I'd forgot I even had (picked it up at a yard sale probably 10 years ago). I didn't need to shave that day, but I couldn't wait to see how it would work. A few minutes later I had a great lather going. It's now my bowl for using at home. I have a plastic one I take on the road with me.
i practice my lather all the time whether it is soap or cream. not only do i get to perfect my art but its loads of fun.
Guilty as charged!
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