Tabac

[Badgerfat]

My first expeirience with Tabac tonight and I have mixed results. I guarantee 95% was my fault and not giving enough time for the lather process. I loaded on the brush and lathered in an old spice mug. Loading the brush was also a first time thing, and I don't think I loaded it good enough. My lather was workable, but I had to load my brush between each pass (3) and it seemed to dry out a bit on my face... I really like the scent, and want to love the performance, but I think I need to go and figure out how to load a brosh better and take more time on working it into a lather. On a side note, my water is fairly hard, and I was using a Semogue 1305... Do these factor into my unsuccessful bout? I am not going to give up on the tallow, because there are just too many good reviews of Tabac. Tips or tricks anyone?

 

[BBrad]

Getting the correct balance between product and water is very important. Lather that dries out on the face quickly can be due to water being too hot, or too much water making the lather thin and quick to evaporate. The drier air of winter adds to the challenge. Knowing your water hardness and how to adjust for that factor is also important.

The first time using a new soap or cream can be a bit of an experiment. I would try a little more product, since that seems to be what your 'gut' is telling you in your post. The amount of time needed to work it also has to be determined, as that will vary from product to product. Take your time, and don't be afraid to add more product or more water as needed.

I generally bowl lather, and will extract the contents of my brush over the edge of the bowl as I work it. That gives me a chance to see how well I've incorporated the water, or if the lather is too dry. If the lather is too wet, I'll add a little more product. I've found it is better to waste a little product than have a bad shave from not using enough! (My Scottish ancestry growls at that thought . . .)

I tried Tabac for the first time this week, having received some for Christmas. It was a good thing . . . slippery as bacon grease on a brass doorknob . . . and my face felt quite soft afterward! Loved it!!

 

[gstarr1]

Tabac is the gold standard.

It is also relatively easy to get great lather.

You need to start by soaking the brush for 5 minutes in warm water.

Also, put some warm water on the top of the soap puck for the same amount of time.

I use a scuttle/cup to lather but face lathering is great for the skin as well.

Squeeze the brush out gently, then in the small puddled water on top of the brush begin to swirl until all the brush has a large amount of soap on all sides including in the middle center. Now begin to lather on your face or in the scuttle/cup.

Continue for no less than 3 minutes to properly aerate the lather and (ymmv) determine if you like the lather stiff or loose. Adding small droplets of water will loosen it up and thin out the lather.

Please report back and let us know your progress.

Enjoy!

 

[sgtd]

Sorry Badgerfat, it sounds like Tabac just isn't meant for you. You can send it to me and I will make sure it is properly disposed of.

 

[Gref]

when in doubt, face lather.

 

[cpcohen1945]

Funny -- I _never_ have any trouble with Tabac! Maybe it's your hard water . . .

Putting some water on the puck, a few minutes before lathering, is worth a try. It lets the soap load onto the brush faster. Similarly for letting the brush soak. Then shake it out, or half-squeeze it out, or you'll have a watery mess.

I've found Tabac very easy to face-lather with. You need to load enough on the brush -- then, it's pretty fast to work into a good lather. Very slick and smooth.

Tabac was my first "serious" soap, after using Proraso soap. It was a nice improvement.

. Charles

 

[celestino]

Hard water + boar brush = load double what you usually do, add more water and face lather! Good luck.

 

[Mandina]

+1 on celestino and cpcohen's advice. I face lather. The only problem I have with Tabac is trying not to use too much product, since it easily produces a thick, rich, and stable lather--even with my relatively hard water and with my fairly small Muhl black fibre brush. It works great for me with either the wetter or drier brush method. With the latter, I wet the brush tips frequently while loading and while face lathering. Tabac is potent, so it requires a good amount of water. Yesterday it made enough lather for 5 thick passes, without re-loading from the puck, even though I only do 2 or 3 passes.

 

[Badgerfat]

Sorry Badgerfat, it sounds like Tabac just isn't meant for you. You can send it to me and I will make sure it is properly disposed of.

LOL

 

[StuMcB]

when in doubt, face lather.

With a stick!

 

[jhamlin38]

go back to the wiki pages on how to lather. The water in SFV La is extremely hard, and I always have enough lather to shave every part of my body three times over, without reloading.
keys to a "proper" lather.
Let water sit on soap for a few minutes, wring out and shake out the brush, as much as possible. Dump the water on the soap in the bowl. stick the brush on the soap, press down slightly, and twist and push about 10 times.
now start the lather in the mug/bowl. after about a dozen swirls, drizzle another teaspoon of water, whip about a dozen swirls, drizzle another teaspoon of water and continue to whip.
You'll be up to your eyeballs in lather.
It doesn't matter whether you use warm, hot or cold water. Tabac is THE best