MyCleanRed creado por nentab de SoporteMyBB.

As I was lathering up the other day, a thought crossed my mind that I had not thought of before. And that was, "How long do I lather and does the amount of time make a difference in my shave"? So I tried a couple of different approaches to lathering and found, that for me, the length of time spent lathering has a direct impact on the quality of my shave.

If I spend just enough time (say 30/45 seconds or so) to get some lather on my face, I can get a decent shave but not necessarily a comfortable one. If I spend more time (like maybe 2 minutes plus) applying lather, I can get a much more comfortable and closer shave.

Anyway, just thought I'd put this out there and see if anyone else has noticed the same thing.

Do you think the lather is better because you build it longer, or the increased time factor allows the hairs to hydrate better?

The last few weeks I've started taking a dab of lather from my first few seconds of lathering and applying that with some water to my face while I finish building my lather in my shave bowl. I've also started taking a little longer working my lather on my face even after I've built it in the bowl. I'm hoping that is giving the soap more time to do its work.

Absolutely correct. If I just give the lather, as my Mom used to say concerning a fast cleaning of her house due to someone coming over with short notice, "a lick and a promise," I have stubble by the afternoon. If I take some time, maybe a bit more than a minute, and WORK the lather on the face, I can go 2 days without a need to shave. (I only shave my neck, I have a full beard) so, I agree with you, longer lathering=better shave.
Blessings,

I'm pretty much a modified face latherer. I'll load my brush and go directly to my face to lather for a cold shave. During the cold months I'll have my scuttle or warm mortar available. I then warm the loaded brush with a few swirls and still face lather, after which I return the brush to the bowl for further lathering and passes. In either case, the longer I work the lather on my beard, the more comfortable my shave (all else being equal). Seldom am I in a hurry, but when I am...

Michael, out of curiosity,do you feel that the time difference varies when you change soaps?

Personally my process is I load my brush for 30-45 seconds then lather on my face until I get the right consistency, never really paid attention to time. And usually time doesn't make a difference, the lather is either nice and thick, or its too thin.

(01-11-2012 06:33 PM)Ecosse Wrote:  Michael, out of curiosity,do you feel that the time difference varies when you change soaps?

Personally my process is I load my brush for 30-45 seconds then lather on my face until I get the right consistency, never really paid attention to time. And usually time doesn't make a difference, the lather is either nice and thick, or its too thin.

Gary, how thick is your beard? JMHO, but I think this would make a difference.

Not that heavy bob if i'm going to be honest. But now you have me thinking, you sayin the stubble would work as agitator to work the lather?

Gary,

Bob is correct. The stubble helps to work up a good lather. Kind of like having fine grit sandpaper in the bowl.

I found the same thing, and this is why I face lather. That extra time spent building the lather on my face instead of in a bowl is what helps me get a better shave. And, I'm with Gary on this - I don't time it or even consider time. I know it sets on my beard longer because I'm doing the process on my face instead of in a bowl. And once I'm at the consistency I like, I'm done and ready to shave.

I face lathered today, and I'm going to do it for the next few days to see what difference I can determine from it.

(01-12-2012 05:13 AM)Truckman Wrote:  I found the same thing, and this is why I face lather. That extra time spent building the lather on my face instead of in a bowl is what helps me get a better shave. And, I'm with Gary on this - I don't time it or even consider time. I know it sets on my beard longer because I'm doing the process on my face instead of in a bowl. And once I'm at the consistency I like, I'm done and ready to shave.

maybe I'll have to try face lathering some day...

(01-12-2012 03:48 PM)andrewjs18 Wrote:  

(01-12-2012 05:13 AM)Truckman Wrote:  I found the same thing, and this is why I face lather. That extra time spent building the lather on my face instead of in a bowl is what helps me get a better shave. And, I'm with Gary on this - I don't time it or even consider time. I know it sets on my beard longer because I'm doing the process on my face instead of in a bowl. And once I'm at the consistency I like, I'm done and ready to shave.

maybe I'll have to try face lathering some day...

LOL Andrew, after a 3-4 week beard I'd love to see your face lather. I already feel sorry for your brush.

(01-12-2012 04:24 PM)PanchoVilla Wrote:  

(01-12-2012 03:48 PM)andrewjs18 Wrote:  

(01-12-2012 05:13 AM)Truckman Wrote:  I found the same thing, and this is why I face lather. That extra time spent building the lather on my face instead of in a bowl is what helps me get a better shave. And, I'm with Gary on this - I don't time it or even consider time. I know it sets on my beard longer because I'm doing the process on my face instead of in a bowl. And once I'm at the consistency I like, I'm done and ready to shave.

maybe I'll have to try face lathering some day...

LOL Andrew, after a 3-4 week beard I'd love to see your face lather. I already feel sorry for your brush.

LOL!!!!

I generally try to shave once a week. when I let it go for 3-4 weeks, I was in the process of moving so I didn't bother. I'll probably shave this week, maybe Sunday night....