Lathering: How thick do you like it?

Seraphim · 09-07-2008, 04:16 AM

OK, so I just completed a nice Saturday evening shave, and pondered a new poll for the guys at SRP:

How thick do you like the lather on your face before shaving?

SIB · 09-07-2008, 04:58 AM

super thick moist uberlather baby!!

Philadelph · 09-07-2008, 07:32 AM

I voted for the 3-4mm option. Ideally I'd probably love the "santa" shave every time, but sometimes I just can't get that kind of lather going. I don't really do the whole über-lather thing though, so maybe I am missing out. Anyway, I think if the lather is tooooo thin, it just won't nearly be as comfortable a shave as you can get.

napoleon · 09-07-2008, 08:48 AM

If I'm in a hurry- 1-2mm, if I'm enjoying- 3-4mm.

Ockham · 09-07-2008, 09:31 AM

I am not going out of bed for less than 3-4 mm, but I am also a little young to already look like Santa... Yeah baby!

Lt.Arclight · 09-07-2008, 11:22 AM

Initially, I lather my complete face. Then apply hot towels.At that point I only lather half my face and gradually apply the lather as I complete the shave.

That allows me to stretch my skin easier. If I should need a second pass (WTG) its generally with an addition of a watery layer of lather.

Most of all, I take my time and when I would lather my entire face, the lather would dry. Repeated applications tended to really dry out my skin,which during the winter months would require several applications of moisturizer throughout the day.

Different strokes for different folks.

JimmyHAD · 09-07-2008, 02:20 PM

I load the brush with soap and then throw a dab of cream in the bowl and whip up copious amounts of lather adding a dribble of hot water as needed. Get the 3 to 4 mm every time.

kevint · 09-07-2008, 04:07 PM

I've had some of my best shaves with a thin wet slippery coat of Colleen's soap.

for whatever reason I usually end up with a medium wet lather thick enough that my stubble is covered.

Utopian · 09-07-2008, 04:28 PM

I guess it depends on the soap used. Some hold moisture better and therefore I can get by with a thin layer. Others I have tried dry out faster and need more.

Bruce · 09-07-2008, 05:44 PM

Hmm, I am again humbled, both by the thickness of the lather reported and the reporter's ability to measure it on his face. I'm lucky if I can get some semi sudsy drool going and get enough of it from cup to face to start shaving.

Maybe I need a new brush. (Mr Vintage, did you note that?)

Bruce · 09-07-2008, 05:58 PM

Dear pollster,

Could you translate those mms to 32nds? I can shave with a European razor just fine, but I can't measure European to save my ruler.

Now lets see, an mm is about a 25th of an inch, so an mm is about 2/3 of a 16th, so 3mms...(cross multiply and divide...oh for the headache)...is about...2-16ths or WHOOPPEE an eighth of an inch. Now that's thick suds.

Hey, if I leave suds on my ruler will it get those black spots everyone is talking about??

Spike J · 09-07-2008, 06:12 PM

The thicker the lather is the better! If I could get a santa beard, I would be yo ho hoing every morning.

I am sure that as my technique & kit improve. I will get there.

joke1176 · 09-07-2008, 09:01 PM

I start with super thick to hack away most of the hair, and for finish passes I use a much thinner, watery consistency.

timberrr59 · 09-07-2008, 09:31 PM

Two Things: Use rainwater for making lather and once the blade is full of lather after a pass, flip it over and spread the used lather on like cake icing. It cuts better and no lather is wasted. I started doing this and this is the way I get my best shaves. It is cleaner, quicker, and safer than rinsing the blade, wiping the blade, or slinging the blade. Give it a try. The lather is creamy and thick after a re-spread. It is neat. I have good results with Honeybee Bay Rum, Pirate's Cove Bay Rum & Lime, Pirate's Cove Menthol, and fairly good results with cheap Van Der Hagen. Heated water might help with problem beards, as well as applied moist towels microwaved to the edge of pain. In the cold and dry weather I plan to do this also.

iron maiden · 09-07-2008, 09:31 PM

3-4 mm with a good cushiony base, I guess.

kevint · 09-07-2008, 09:54 PM

I thought about a frugality poll to see how many people reuse the lather on the razor but i figured not so many do.
i will on occasion. Rain water? hmm. I wonder how shavers in L.A. feel about that

holli4pirating · 09-07-2008, 10:21 PM

I tend to start with a thicker lather for the first pass and thin it out as I move along to my final pass. Makes it easier to see what I'm doing at the end as I clean up around my goatee and sideburns.

gssixgun · 09-08-2008, 12:40 AM

Hmmm think, nice warm "cool whip" on the face, but it has to be creamy not sudsy....
The lather also has to hold up when you start off with a splash of hot water on the face before you start lathering... That might be why I am such a lather fanatic in the first place, I get the closest most comfortable shaves when I start with a really wet face then lather over that, so I want thick creamy lather....

Dicestone · 09-08-2008, 01:10 AM

Since my job requires me to shave everyday, the growth of stubble is slight. Anything more than cover the hair is just pure waste of good soap. I think it is also risky to have Santa foam around your lips and nose because you can't see what your doing. I usually do three passes so unless your old man owns a soap factory no need to be wasteful.

RichZ · 09-08-2008, 01:57 PM

I guess for me I shaved so many years with colgate from a can I am used to seeing a good amount of white stuff covering my face before a take a razor to it.