Straight Shaving Lather

[pcumby]

Hi All

I finally decided to take the plunge into straight razor shaving.
After careful consideration I've ordered a beginners setup from Larry at Whipped Dog

I'm fairly experienced at DE shaving and can get a pretty good lather worked from just about anything halfway decent

I've seen during my research that the straight shavers prefer a "runnier" lather

Does this mean for most of you that you simply add more water?
Do you prefer a particular type of soap/cream/method?

thanks in advance

Phil

 

[Slash McCoy]

More water will gitter done. Remember tho, you can always re-wet if it is initially too dry.

 

[GreekGuy]

Phil,

I would say that Straight Shaving requires a slicker lather than you may be used to. Using more water as Slash mentioned can help. I will add that some soaps/creams that are fine for DE shaving just are not protective enough for a straight, in my experience. If your lather is less than optimal a straight will let you know. Its the real test of a good soap/cream, IMHO, YMMV and all that.

 

[rockviper]

Hi All

I finally decided to take the plunge into straight razor shaving.
......

thanks in advance

Phil

Yaaaayy!!!!

My lather is a little wetter for straights, which is not the same as runny.

 

[Raithskar]

A nice and slick wet lather will always get it done. Just load the brush apply directly to the face and start working it. I use my old lather bowl to keep water in. I lightly dip the tips and slowly work it in. Keep repeating that till it is nice and slick. When I know I am there I can feel the moisture from the water on my face.

Spread it nice and thin, stretch properly and start shaving. You can always add more soap or water if needed.

Welcome to the Dark Side of Wet Shaving! Muahahahahahahahaha!

 

[professorchaos]

I prefer a thicker lather with plenty of water. The ideal lather, IMO, is one that has enough water to make it shiny. Too thin a lather or one that dries out too quickly inevitably produces a substandard shave.

 

[gash]

...If your lather is less than optimal a straight will let you know...

I agree. A straight forces you to know exactly what you're doing with every part of the process.

 

[seattleshaver]

A good way to think about it IMO is to try to get a thick, creamy leather "painted" on your face and then add just a little more water to your brush and whip up the leather on your face. If you start out with thin lather and make it wet it's just runny...start with thicker leather and it will work out better.

You face does need to stay consistently wet with straight shaving.

 

[California Cajun]

Hi All

I finally decided to take the plunge into straight razor shaving.
After careful consideration I've ordered a beginners setup from Larry at Whipped Dog

I'm fairly experienced at DE shaving and can get a pretty good lather worked from just about anything halfway decent

I've seen during my research that the straight shavers prefer a "runnier" lather

Does this mean for most of you that you simply add more water?
Do you prefer a particular type of soap/cream/method?

thanks in advance

Phil

It needs to be slick but it doesn't have to drip off your face. I'm a straight shaver and here's my lather:

 

[Disburden]

It needs to be slick but it doesn't have to drip off your face. I'm a straight shaver and here's my lather:

View attachment 291336

Thats it!

 

[jkh]

Do people really make different lather for a straight shaving?

 

[Disburden]

I just make lather...

 

[Gamma]

I just make lather...

+1

 

[jkh]

I just make lather...

+1

Yeah, which is why I was confused ....

 

[Wid]

Mine is no different than when I was DE shaving.

 

[Kentos]

Mine is much thinner than the fluffy stuff I made before as touted by some DE users. However the thinner lather is better for safety razors too, IMO.

I basically don't whip it up as much as I used to.

 

[seattleshaver]

I think it probably needs to be a little different (optimally) than that for cartridge razors. It's probably the same as a good DE lather.

 

[tomjr]

i make mine thinner now that i have experience. quite a bit thinner/wetter.

 

[smalltank]

I agree..if its too thick..no glide...if its too wet..too much glide..I make my lather a bit slicker than thicker...lol..

 

[pcumby]

However the thinner lather is better for safety razors too, IMO.

I basically don't whip it up as much as I used to.

I use a thinner lather anyway from day to day
I agree that it doesn't need to be quite so thick

Part of my problem in my original question was a matter of interpretation on my part.
A lot of posters said thinner,i thought runnier.
According to the posts here it's basically the same type of lather I favour on a day to day use anyway

thanks for all the great answers guys

Phil