OldSaw
The wife's investment
Since the most recent re-formulation of Geo F. Trumper shave soaps (approximately 2-3 years ago?) there have been a lot of us who have made negative observations on the usability/latherability of their product. Obviously there are those that like it very much, but for many of us who have either used the older formulations or similarly priced premium products, especially tallow based soaps, we have made a somewhat scathing review of the GFT soaps.
From what I have observed with my own puck of GFT violets and what others have confirmed is that the the soap just doesn't lather very well and even when a lather is produced it is sub par and frequently an over aerated bubbly mess that doesn't offer much protection, not to mention very little in the way of luxury. Since it is a luxury soap after-all, it should produce luxurious results.
I believe the biggest problem with the soap is that loading the brush is the weak link, especially with a floppy brush, since it appears to be a rather hard soap. Another problem is somewhat of an illusion or a false sense of loading as the soap appears to lather very quickly by making lots of bubbles, however, it is not a very useful lather and evaporates rather quickly. Well, I think I have finally solved the problem and have been able to reproduce luxurious results several times using the following technique.
This is not entirely my unique finding, but more of a page stolen from the Williams lathering playbook.
Results: Very luxurious lather that protects and provides plenty of glide. It is also very warm lather (especially in my case, as I am using a custom made ceramic soap bowl that retains lots of heat from the soaking).
I hope this helps and look forward to seeing if others who have had problems find this useful.
From what I have observed with my own puck of GFT violets and what others have confirmed is that the the soap just doesn't lather very well and even when a lather is produced it is sub par and frequently an over aerated bubbly mess that doesn't offer much protection, not to mention very little in the way of luxury. Since it is a luxury soap after-all, it should produce luxurious results.
I believe the biggest problem with the soap is that loading the brush is the weak link, especially with a floppy brush, since it appears to be a rather hard soap. Another problem is somewhat of an illusion or a false sense of loading as the soap appears to lather very quickly by making lots of bubbles, however, it is not a very useful lather and evaporates rather quickly. Well, I think I have finally solved the problem and have been able to reproduce luxurious results several times using the following technique.
This is not entirely my unique finding, but more of a page stolen from the Williams lathering playbook.
- The first thing I do is soften the soap by soaking the entire puck and the mug in hot water. I place my brush in the mug and set it in the sink while I fill the mug to overflowing and let the sink fill to the same level as the brim of the mug.
- Let it soak for for a few minutes.
- Pick up the mug and pour off the water.
- Give brush a couple of light shakes, but don't shake it out completely. I've been using an Omega 10049 boar brush rather than a badger.
- Start loading brush and building lather directly on the puck. Really work the brush against the soap, being careful not to over-work your brush.
- Begin face lathering and continue to build lather on the puck by alternating back and forth using an instinctive approach, adding water by the drop only if absolutely necessary.
Results: Very luxurious lather that protects and provides plenty of glide. It is also very warm lather (especially in my case, as I am using a custom made ceramic soap bowl that retains lots of heat from the soaking).
I hope this helps and look forward to seeing if others who have had problems find this useful.
That was my former method.
