Problems Lathering with new soap

[patrickmjett]

I just bought some Mike's Natural Soap and I have to tell you... I loved the scent. But I don't love the problems I'm encountering on how to lather it properly. This is my first straight hard soap and I can't seem to work up a lather like I would with proraso or Taylor or AOS creams/soaps. Are there any good videos out there so I can see the proper way to do this... or is it possible I got a weird batch? Is the technique really that different? Am I using too much or too little water? I am using a tweezerman badger brush. I tried several different combinations of soap and water and none seemed to work very well. I was using the orange and pepper scent. Anyone please give me some advice.

Thanks

 

[attime6]

Mike has a video on his Facebook page.

 

[david1201]

You are probably using too little water - my rule with Mike's is to slowly add about twice as much water as I normally need. I also start with a slightly damper brush than I would with most other tallow soaps.

 

[shavefreak]

Yup - get some water in there - it's great soap and you can really feel a difference with Mikes and Sterling soaps being natural, it is noticeable against soaps with artificial stuff. Not better or worse just different.

You are probably using too little water - my rule with Mike's is to slowly add about twice as much water as I normally need. I also start with a slightly damper brush than I would with most other tallow soaps.

 

[patrickmjett]

Well I figured it out. I was stupidly trying to lather in my loading cup. Like I said I'm brand new to this part. I'm excited now. Ok thanks guys.

 

[Graybeard57]

If it's a persistent problem, I suggest just experimenting with different soaps. Have you tried Mama Bear's? It's a glycerine-based product that lathers quickly.

 

[Coler]

The thing about Mike's is its thirsty.

Intuitively you might be inclined to use a dryish brush, to scrub more product up when loading. This is less likely to result in a good lather than if you soak your brush for a few minutes (I let mine sit while I shower) and then hold it bristles down to drip dry. With a badger, I will shake it once or twice, with a boar I will just let it drip until there is just drops coming from it, as opposed to a continuous stream.

So, a much wetter brush than might seem appropriate.

Then simply swirl for a minute on the puck - you will get some bubbly, frothy lather - not what you would happily shave this - continue for a full minute. If bowl/scuttle lathering I will hold the puck over the bowl/scuttle and let the product drip into it.

Then, either transfer to face and continue to lather in the usual way, or swirl in your bowl/scuttle for another minute or so.

A lovely, thick, slick lather will result.