Thread: Straight razor lather

Hi guys. Hope you don't mind my asking yet another question as an SR beginner. Like when I first started wetshaving with a DE razor, I feel like there's everything to learn.

I'm curious about lather for straight razors specifically. I've been shaving with a DE since later last year, and lather was trickier to master than I expected. But I got it down to nice, slick face lathers using any number of high-quality soaps and creams. The approach I settled on is to shake the brush out pretty well after soaking, then load pretty generously, then build slowly from paste to a slick "cold creme" consistency by adding water gradually. This was less messy than the "Marco method" approach.

This has worked well for DE razors, but it seems SRs are even more finicky when it comes to lather. I've seen a lot of mention that a wetter lather is needed for SR shaving, but I'm hoping you can help with what that means in practice. What's your approach to creating a good SR lather, and what do you look for to know you're there?

I've heard that adding too much water, like having too little, can lead to lather drying too fast. So what's the point we're really going for? Thanks!

Originally Posted by onethinline

Hi guys. Hope you don't mind my asking yet another question as an SR beginner. Like when I first started wetshaving with a DE razor, I feel like there's everything to learn.

I'm curious about lather for straight razors specifically. I've been shaving with a DE since later last year, and lather was trickier to master than I expected. But I got it down to nice, slick face lathers using any number of high-quality soaps and creams. The approach I settled on is to shake the brush out pretty well after soaking, then load pretty generously, then build slowly from paste to a slick "cold creme" consistency by adding water gradually. This was less messy than the "Marco method" approach.

This has worked well for DE razors, but it seems SRs are even more finicky when it comes to lather. I've seen a lot of mention that a wetter lather is needed for SR shaving, but I'm hoping you can help with what that means in practice. What's your approach to creating a good SR lather, and what do you look for to know you're there?

I've heard that adding too much water, like having too little, can lead to lather drying too fast. So what's the point we're really going for? Thanks!

I am new here also. I have been "Wet Shaving" off and on for years. I do not know what kind of Brush or Shaving Soap that you are using. But yes imho the method that you said you used with your DE Razor would be excellent. I think we have both entered into a long and tedious learning curve .
Good Luck

I also agree that your method is a good one. The thing about learning to shave with a straight razor is that initially as you are learning, the shave takes more time, so it is not uncommon for lather to start to dry out. I find that with better soaps like Xpec, Baume.be, Castle Forbes, Mdc, Esbjerg and a few others, you can get a nice paste like lather that is slick and doesn't dry out as fast as some of the more airy or thinner suds out there. As you experiment with them, I'm betting you'll find your sweet spot and as your technique improves and the time it takes you to shave gets less, you'll be where you want to be. Don't ever get in a big hurry with the straight razor though. Take your time, relax and enjoy your shaves.

Have fun.

I use the method you do to face lather. The lather I like is not a "cold cream/paste like" consistency but a little more hydrated but certainly not airy. I look for the lather to take on a bit of a sheen and stop there. Probably just a tad past where you stop at with adding the water. It is a balancing act and can be difficult to find a soaps or creams sweet spot for the amount of water needed. The more soaps and creams in your rotation the harder it can be to nail it as soaps and creams vary in what they like for water. You could try using one product till you can consistently get the results you want with it and then try the others in turn. Good luck.

Bob

This is one area where you are always learning and re-learning. I have been using a new soap for a few weeks and last night decided to use one of my older ones and added way more water than it wanted.

I am a full time str8 razor shaver but do on occasion use a DE or injector when cramped for time. I use the same method of building lather no matter what I'm using to shave with.

Originally Posted by UAcowboy

This is one area where you are always learning and re-learning. I have been using a new soap for a few weeks and last night decided to use one of my older ones and added way more water than it wanted.

Yep, been there too.

Bob

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

I am a full time str8 razor shaver but do on occasion use a DE or injector when cramped for time. I use the same method of building lather no matter what I'm using to shave with.

Yes, I do the same lather no matter what I am shaving with. A good lather works for just about everything.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yep, been there too.

Bob

Think at one point or another we've all been there

Originally Posted by onethinline

Hi guys. Hope you don't mind my asking yet another question as an SR beginner. Like when I first started wetshaving with a DE razor, I feel like there's everything to learn.

I'm curious about lather for straight razors specifically. I've been shaving with a DE since later last year, and lather was trickier to master than I expected. But I got it down to nice, slick face lathers using any number of high-quality soaps and creams. The approach I settled on is to shake the brush out pretty well after soaking, then load pretty generously, then build slowly from paste to a slick "cold creme" consistency by adding water gradually. This was less messy than the "Marco method" approach.

This has worked well for DE razors, but it seems SRs are even more finicky when it comes to lather. I've seen a lot of mention that a wetter lather is needed for SR shaving, but I'm hoping you can help with what that means in practice. What's your approach to creating a good SR lather, and what do you look for to know you're there?

I've heard that adding too much water, like having too little, can lead to lather drying too fast. So what's the point we're really going for? Thanks!

Originally Posted by PatrickA51

I am new here also. I have been "Wet Shaving" off and on for years. I do not know what kind of Brush or Shaving Soap that you are using. But yes imho the method that you said you used with your DE Razor would be excellent. I think we have both entered into a long and tedious learning curve .
Good Luck

One thing I forgot to mention after I went back a re-Read this post,
I always use a Pre-Shave Oil. I like The Stirling Brands or Shave Secret Pre-Shave Oil.
Good luck.