The need for lots of water

[umgowa997]

I just discovered a subtle nuance to my shaving technique and want to share it to see if any others out there have discovered the same thing. I use TOBS shave cream which whips up to a great lather. It also takes a lot of water without degenerating. I notice that after I whip it up to a nice lather the shave is much better if I dip my brush in water one last time and go over my beard again. The lather (as I said) does not degenerate and the resulting shave is better with the extra water. It's as if my whiskers want as much water surrounding them as possible. I get the sense that the lather not only delivers a nice lubricating effect but also holds this all important water next to and around the whiskers. When I don't apply these last few swipes of water soaked brushing, my shave is harsher and not as comfortable and smooth. Has anyone else noticed this or shared this experience?
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[ProphetNoir]

Yes. Absolutely! I was thinking of making a similar observation in a post when I saw this thread had been started. I found that even a very good lather begins to get a little dry by the time I am ready to begin my third pass. For the past two shaves, including the one I just finished, I have dipped a corner of my loaded brush in hot water before applying it to my face for the third pass. The difference is remarkable. My lather is just as it was for my first pass and, which is better, I am getting a DFS+ in three passes ... all over my face. The solution seems so obvious and so simple that I was embarrassed to think that I had not paid attention here after my years of reading and re-reading the sticky posts. What a difference. Between this and adding the alum bar to the end of every shave, I have reached an entirely new level.

 

[umgowa997]

I can't tell you how helpful it is to have one's own little observations and discoveries validated by others on this forum. I don't think the need for lots of water has been brought out enough in the discussions. Yes, I get my lather all worked up and nice and smooth and then load up my brush with water and then go over it all again with a couple of water re-soaks. In fact I think that's one of the qualities of a great shave cream . . that it will hold a lot of water without breaking down. Thanks for your helpful response.