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Now I know what lather is! - SmallBeard - 06-03-2013 00:51
Hello all
Firstly, apologies, as I tried to find the thread I've seen recently with the Marco method of lathering posted in it, but can't seem to.
But, I tried it today for the first time, and wow! My lather to date has never been as thick or in such vast quantity as it was today.
I have been face lathering lately, but after seeing the video posted here (which I can't find now) I decided to give it a go. It was brilliant, I tried it with Cella and couldn't believe the lather it produced.
It felt like I could shave the whole street with the lather it made! I will be using it again from now on. My lather before was pathetic compared to this. Although I'm slightly annoyed, as it means I have a bowl to wash up now
It's slowly but surely all coming together
thanks all for all the advice and information posted here that's been guiding me through, and thanks to everyone that has sent me samples etc. Today was without doubt my best shave. Lets hope they keep getting better!
Alex
RE: Now I know what lather is! - Coler - 06-03-2013 01:11
Does this involve using a wetter brush than you might have thought reasonable when loading before transferring to the bowl ?
If so I had a similarly eye-opening experience recently - after a very long time of loading with a nearly dry brush.
It's lovely to have a moment like this - congrats - enjoy your shaves
RE: Now I know what lather is! - SmallBeard - 06-03-2013 06:43
(06-03-2013 01:11 )Coler Wrote: Does this involve using a wetter brush than you might have thought reasonable when loading before transferring to the bowl ?
If so I had a similarly eye-opening experience recently - after a very long time of loading with a nearly dry brush.
It's lovely to have a moment like this - congrats - enjoy your shaves
Yeah, I have since found the video, typical!
It's here if you're interested.
I used to do the same, then add water gradually, but this way just produces a crazy amount of lather, or maybe it's normal and I've just been doing it wrong the whole time before
Thanks, it makes me want to shave more now, I wish my beard grew faster!
RE: Now I know what lather is! - Fido - 06-03-2013 07:10
The video does make the point about the relationship between product, time and water in creating lather. However - all things in moderation. It's possible to whip up more than enough nice creamy lather much quicker than our friend in the video without getting in to such a mess. And, no - I'm not into making videos. But hey. it's not rocket science. Do it whichever way you enjoy.
RE: Now I know what lather is! - antdad - 06-03-2013 08:32
It's a method that favours the boar.
RE: Now I know what lather is! - SmallBeard - 06-03-2013 10:12
(06-03-2013 08:32 )antdad Wrote: It's a method that favours the boar.
It worked perfectly with my little omega, I have never used a badger, I will one day try one though, I haven't yet had any cravings to purchase more brushes. Yet being the operative word....
RE: Now I know what lather is! - Griffo - 06-03-2013 11:35
I do a hybrid of Marco's technique with regards the amount of loading I do but I still can't get my head around bowl lathering. Using the loading method i get enough lather for a 3.5 pass shave so no need for the bowl for me.
It'll work very well with a soap like Cella, and other soft Italian soaps like Fitness and Valobra, but I find it's not as good with creams where you want a drier brush from my experiences.
I really need to use my Valobra again, it was my favourite but I don't think I've used it this year yet
I used my Omega Pro 48 for ages and loved it - it produces so much lather and holds it all in there. I got a badger for Xmas and I really enjoy using it.
I like both and it's nice to have a choice.
RE: Now I know what lather is! - IanM - 06-03-2013 13:46
I've watched the Marco video for the first time, and although there's a great deal of lather produced, it looks to me like there's a bit too much air in it. It looks very light rather than creamy.
Ian
RE: Now I know what lather is! - chrisbell - 06-03-2013 15:39
(06-03-2013 13:46 )IanM Wrote: I've watched the Marco video for the first time, and although there's a great deal of lather produced, it looks to me like there's a bit too much air in it. It looks very light rather than creamy.
Ian
Just goes to show the newer members what "YMMV" really means - for my money, the amount of lather produced is excessive, but I'd say the quality is fine. I can't see how it would be too airy - maybe a touch wetter than some prefer it, but, as you've been trying on and off for a while to use straights, I wonder whether lather of that sort of consistency might help? As you'll know, I don't use straights, but that sort of consistency helps my DE razors glide better than a drier lather, and I know several of our straight razor users reckon they prefer a wetter lather than they'd use for DE shaving. Just a thought - not suggesting that you're not a superb latherer, but might it be worth considering?
RE: Now I know what lather is! - SmallBeard - 06-03-2013 15:52
I agree that the lather is excessive, that amount wasn't necessary as I ended up rinsing half away when I finished.
As for the quality of the lather, for me the proof was in the shave, as that was my best shave yet. The razor glided over my face much better than it has previously, and the shave "felt" better, if that makes any sense.
I don't think there's one right way to lather, but so far into my DE journey, this has worked best for me
RE: Now I know what lather is! - IanM - 06-03-2013 15:58
(06-03-2013 15:52 )SmallBeard Wrote: I agree that the lather is excessive, that amount wasn't necessary as I ended up rinsing half away when I finished.
As for the quality of the lather, for me the proof was in the shave, as that was my best shave yet. The razor glided of my face much better than it has previously, and the shave "felt" better, if that makes any sense.
I don't think there's one right way to lather, but so far into my DE journey, this has worked best for me
If it has worked for you, then that's what counts
Ian
(06-03-2013 15:39 )chrisbell Wrote:(06-03-2013 13:46 )IanM Wrote: I've watched the Marco video for the first time, and although there's a great deal of lather produced, it looks to me like there's a bit too much air in it. It looks very light rather than creamy.
Ian
Just goes to show the newer members what "YMMV" really means - for my money, the amount of lather produced is excessive, but I'd say the quality is fine. I can't see how it would be too airy - maybe a touch wetter than some prefer it, but, as you've been trying on and off for a while to use straights, I wonder whether lather of that sort of consistency might help? As you'll know, I don't use straights, but that sort of consistency helps my DE razors glide better than a drier lather, and I know several of our straight razor users reckon they prefer a wetter lather than they'd use for DE shaving. Just a thought - not suggesting that you're not a superb latherer, but might it be worth considering?
It's actually difficult to tell from the video how the lather feels, but it looks "light" to me, as if the bubbles in it are too big.
Oh, and trust me, I've tried all sorts of lather to get various shaves from various razors
Ian
RE: Now I know what lather is! - Gairdner - 06-03-2013 16:13
Bowls are for putting your porridge in or large stodgy puddings. The only bowl necessary in a bathroom is the one you leave the seat up on to annoy the resident she-devil.
RE: Now I know what lather is! - Griffo - 06-03-2013 16:14
I like it with much smaller bubbles in it and by the time I get to my third pass it's a good covering but thin - too thick and the blade gets clogged and the stubble barely gets touched. If it's too thin before the third pass I may reload as i do for Nanny's and one or two others but in general by the time the thrid pass comes it's thin but stays there for the whole pass.
I've found each type of soap/cream can be different - i use a wetter brush for soaps but a drier brush for creams as you mention whatever works for you just works
(06-03-2013 16:13 )Gairdner Wrote: Bowls are for putting your porridge in or large stodgy puddings. The only bowl necessary in a bathroom is the one you leave the seat up on to annoy the resident she-devil.
mmmmm stodgy pudding mmmmmmmmmm
RE: Now I know what lather is! - chrisbell - 06-03-2013 17:03
(06-03-2013 15:58 )IanM Wrote:(06-03-2013 15:52 )SmallBeard Wrote: I agree that the lather is excessive, that amount wasn't necessary as I ended up rinsing half away when I finished.
As for the quality of the lather, for me the proof was in the shave, as that was my best shave yet. The razor glided of my face much better than it has previously, and the shave "felt" better, if that makes any sense.
I don't think there's one right way to lather, but so far into my DE journey, this has worked best for me
If it has worked for you, then that's what counts
Ian
(06-03-2013 15:39 )chrisbell Wrote:(06-03-2013 13:46 )IanM Wrote: I've watched the Marco video for the first time, and although there's a great deal of lather produced, it looks to me like there's a bit too much air in it. It looks very light rather than creamy.
Ian
Just goes to show the newer members what "YMMV" really means - for my money, the amount of lather produced is excessive, but I'd say the quality is fine. I can't see how it would be too airy - maybe a touch wetter than some prefer it, but, as you've been trying on and off for a while to use straights, I wonder whether lather of that sort of consistency might help? As you'll know, I don't use straights, but that sort of consistency helps my DE razors glide better than a drier lather, and I know several of our straight razor users reckon they prefer a wetter lather than they'd use for DE shaving. Just a thought - not suggesting that you're not a superb latherer, but might it be worth considering?
It's actually difficult to tell from the video how the lather feels, but it looks "light" to me, as if the bubbles in it are too big.
Oh, and trust me, I've tried all sorts of lather to get various shaves from various razors
Ian
Fair point, Ian - apologies for my rather arrogant lather tutorial.
I know what you mean about the lather appearing "light", but that's how mine appears if I happen to add a bit more water than I like. I too have tried all sorts of lather consistencies - instinctively I found the thick, dense stuff ought to be "correct", but, with my hard water, it was as I'd imagine shaving with a layer of PVA glue on my face would be.
RE: Now I know what lather is! - John - 06-03-2013 18:44
(06-03-2013 16:14 )Griffo Wrote: I like it with much smaller bubbles in it and by the time I get to my third pass it's a good covering but thin - too thick and the blade gets clogged and the stubble barely gets touched. If it's too thin before the third pass I may reload as i do for Nanny's and one or two others but in general by the time the thrid pass comes it's thin but stays there for the whole pass.
I've found each type of soap/cream can be different - i use a wetter brush for soaps but a drier brush for creams as you mention whatever works for you just works
(06-03-2013 16:13 )Gairdner Wrote: Bowls are for putting your porridge in or large stodgy puddings. The only bowl necessary in a bathroom is the one you leave the seat up on to annoy the resident she-devil.
mmmmm stodgy pudding mmmmmmmmmm
I'll tell you what makes Mrs j's blood boil is me leaving my coffee grinds every where,she actually swore at me yesterday,not that I'm enjoying winding her up in anyway
