New technique (to me!) for synthetics works great

On a whim a week ago, I decided to try face lathering again. I started with a bowl, and had a nice warm scuttle for this past winter. One thing that I noted while face lathering, lather flies all over! At least it does for me. Warming up so not to pull anything and sustain an injury, I did some Google-Fu. And I found an older post by our very own ShadowsDad! He detailed putting water on the hard soap, but leaving the synthetic brush DRY! One loads, dip the tips if water is needed, and start building the lather on your face after loading the brush. The soap should be almost paste-like on the brush. Then more tip dipping as you work it up on your face.

The result was a wonderful lather for me today! Even if this is "old news," I wanted to post it so other new-comers to traditional shaving don't get frustrated with their new synthetic brush. My Maggard's Purple swirl 24mm knot performed like a champ and felt wonderful on my face, all without splattering soapy water all around the basin, mirror, my torso, and anything else out in the open on the counter!

Similar to my technique for syn brushes.

Yup, synthetics soak up water like a sponge and at the first opportunity dump the entire load. That characteristic of synthetics caught me also. Same problems you went through. They work differently than natural fiber brushes. Not better, not worse, just different. Like everything else, YMMV as to whether you like something. I never thought that I would ever state that I love synthetics but I do (now). A few short years ago I'd have called anyone foretelling the future and claiming that for me a liar. :-) How times change!

Glad it worked for you and that the info was of value.

I too like synthetics and how little product they use compared to my boar/badgers. Bad news for soap makers I guess, but I use up a lot when I use my natural hair brushes so I guess it all balances out.

I too like synthetics and how little product they use compared to my boar/badgers. Bad news for soap makers I guess, but I use up a lot when I use my natural hair brushes so I guess it all balances out.

Yep I use the heavy soap eaters on older soaps and ones that I like but are not my favorites. It's amazing ho much more efficient the synthetic brushes are with soap consumption.

Yup, synthetics soak up water like a sponge and at the first opportunity dump the entire load.

This is definitely true. I think synthetics are so easy to use for this trait.... And the fact that I think everyone under hydrates their lather and the water 'dump' is really the proper amount of water.

I too like synthetics and how little product they use compared to my boar/badgers.  Bad news for soap makers I guess, but I use up a lot when I use my natural hair brushes so I guess it all balances out.

If I can use less soap with a Syn. brush, I ought to use my Syn. brush.

I too like synthetics and how little product they use compared to my boar/badgers.  Bad news for soap makers I guess, but I use up a lot when I use my natural hair brushes so I guess it all balances out.

I disregard this when I use my Chubby 2 synthetic for my head shaves and load it quite heavily because I need to get through my large collection of Mystic Water.

Congratulations to the OP.

I too like synthetics and how little product they use compared to my boar/badgers.  Bad news for soap makers I guess, but I use up a lot when I use my natural hair brushes so I guess it all balances out.

I disregard this when I use my Chubby 2 synthetic for my head shaves and load it quite heavily because I need to get through my large collection of Mystic Water.

Congratulations to the OP.

Today (Happy Fourth of July, USA!) I had success using a smaller knot (22mm) and Mystic Water Soap's Sensitive Skin. Fantastic! No need for a balm today, just sunscreen! celestino, Mystic Water Soap is my standard against which all others are judged. It took me a few weeks early on to figure out how the best technique to use it, but now I do all my soaps the same way (load drier, add water as needed, a concept so simple yet it eluded me for weeks!!) and I just love it. One of three soaps that I ever finished the puck.

Let the lather fly brothers.