The Wet-Shaving Thread

[cynner]

I started with a Bert's Bees set that my FIL gave me (Soap, cup, brush, aftershave).

If you're trying to avoid shopping from gigantic corporations, RUN from Burt's Bees - Clorox owns them. Then again, Clorox is local (HQ is in Oakland.) :dunno

 

[m_asim]

Ok so instead of starting yet another thread, I am adding to this one.

I have been using safety razor for the past few months and having a hard time getting the soap to lather up. Tried adding water, less water to no avail. Any tips? I suspect this lack of lather is causing my face to look like butchered meat after shaving.

 

[zphreak]

What soap? What brush?
Are you soaking your brush?
Are you using a pre-shave?

 

[PorradaVFR]

Ok so instead of starting yet another thread, I am adding to this one.

I have been using safety razor for the past few months and having a hard time getting the soap to lather up. Tried adding water, less water to no avail. Any tips? I suspect this lack of lather is causing my face to look like butchered meat after shaving.

I switched to a safety razor last year and am VERY happy with it overall - cheaper (by far) and the results are great. I use a basic badger hair brush and this soap: https://smile.amazon.com/Proraso-Sh...TF8&qid=1472598125&sr=1-6&keywords=shave+soap

I also use this razor: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJZNG1S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and Astra blades:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QY8QXM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Warm water on the brush (not soap) then swoosh it around, slap on pre-washed and moistened face (I use a scrub or shave after taking a shower) then wash my face after and slap on some balm. The trick I found it using little pressure (let the weight of the razor do the work) and short strokes with frequent rinsing. I get WAY less irritation and use the same blade for about...two weeks before swapping it. :thumbup

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Man that razor and the brand name of the blades bring me back in time. Think my Dad and uncle .

Ok so instead of starting yet another thread, I am adding to this one.

I have been using safety razor for the past few months and having a hard time getting the soap to lather up. Tried adding water, less water to no avail. Any tips? I suspect this lack of lather is causing my face to look like butchered meat after shaving.

Are you using the brush on the face in a swooshing circular fashion?

 

[CoorsLight]

Ok so instead of starting yet another thread, I am adding to this one.

I have been using safety razor for the past few months and having a hard time getting the soap to lather up. Tried adding water, less water to no avail. Any tips? I suspect this lack of lather is causing my face to look like butchered meat after shaving.

It can be tough to build lather if you have hard water, and most CA water is pretty hard.

What kind of soap?

I've found that only a few soaps will lather reliably for me:
Stirling
CAtie's Bubbles
LA Shaving Company
Speick shave stick
Cade shave cream

Also, I've found face lathering to be the easiest, first applying a very dry coat of soap to the face, and gradually building it up with increasing amounts of water.