ToBS Breakthrough

[RobAtSGH]

I've been fighting with my first tub of Taylor's sandalwood cream for almost two weeks now - getting lots of lather, but crappy shaves, dragging razors, and lots of irritation. Weird... the lather volume was voluminous and covered well, but the blade lubrication just wasn't there. Tonight was the make-or-break shave. Either I was going to figure this stuff out or it was getting pitched.

First - rather than swirling the brush in the tub, I used a measured dab in the mug. Second - I added way more water than I ever thought necessary. Taylor's, it seems, will take way more water than I'm used to before it gets to that creamy soft-peak stage. Previously, I had tried to cut back on the amount of cream on the brush and ended up over-watering. It seems that the path to success is just using a normal amount of cream and just keep adding more water until it gets moist and shiny.

Finally, a DFS with minimal irritation and without overdrying!

 

[orchestrion]

Glad to hear you found a good method. It's always nice to hit that "ah-hah!" moment with a cream or soap that's been giving you trouble.

 

[jakespoppy]

I like to exeriment with making lather, and one test is to keep adding a little water at a time until it breaks down as clearly unusable. I've found a number of creams will hold more water than I might have thought they would. And testing to failure makes it easier to know when to stop from then on.

 

[RobAtSGH]

I have to say that I was stunned at how much water I added to the mug. It was at least a good ounce of hot water to a peanut sized dollop of cream.

At least I don't have to hang my head in shame of defeat.

 

[ndwolfe]

I think the lemon lime requires more water than the other tobs creams I've used.

 

[Montecristo #2]

I think the newer "paraben free" TOBS formula requires more water across the board. Not a bad thing, just different.

 

[Foyle]

I've noticed the same thing with the amount of water Taylor's needs. It's thirsty stuff. I'm currently really enjoying my first tub of Taylor's.