What soap/cream did you use today?

Head Shave

Razor: Masamune
Blade: Astra SP
Brush: Paladin 26mm Dark Holler Jack
Soap/Splash: B&M Angelique

This base is superb in every way possible. The scent at first off the puck was to “clean” smelling. But it toned down to a kind of citrus vibe.

10 out of 10

Continuing my cream sampling excursion.  While I'm liking everything I'm trying, this might be the best base.  Two days of cream lathering in a flash with a great slick, cushion and excellent post-shave feel.  But while the cream is great, I'm not sold on the scent. Castle Forbes describes it as "a very aristocratic fougere giving the wearer the assurance of a ‘freshly bathed’ scent enduring throughout the day" that is "distinctly British." The notes are listed as being (top) petitgrain, lemon, but also (middle) lavender and tarragon, and, at the base, vetiver, clove and patchouli. So, what I get is a bit of a hodgepodge -- barbershop with overlay of lavender.   Kind of like walking into a barbershop whose shelves are lined with Pinnaud Clubman while holding a lavender clothes sachet.  But I know lots of folks love it, so who am I to say nay?

Cheeky

La Fougère Parfaite (Wholly Kaw) chilled fougère
Shave 23 ・ 65 g left

Why does the palm of your hand make such fine lather? Is it the wrinkles, or the callouses, or the knobby bones that build that rich texture? Whatever it is, I get my best lather off my left paw. Only thing is, if I’m not careful, my palm will send lather flying all over the place. I wish I could contain it better. I wonder if anyone’s ever tried making a leather-lined lathering bowl?
____________
Razor Karve Christopher Bradley 3" Argyll ・ Blade Gillette Silver Blue ・ Brush Peregrino ・ Cologne Rive Gauche pour Homme ・ Hoard 17,195 g (⇣1,287 g)

   

Why does the palm of your hand make such fine lather? Is it the wrinkles, or the callouses, or the knobby bones that build that rich texture? Whatever it is, I get my best lather off my left paw.

Bouki, I agree about the palm-lather being Z Best and also contemplate the why. I'm not sure either. One other theory I've had is that all (or on the whole) the lather gets worked more by the brush (smaller surface area vs. being spread all over the face), (and) all the while the skin is soaking up some of the water. Both things making it richer.
As well, and I think YOU mentioned it a while ago, maybe we put more pressure on the brush when palm-lathering vs. face-lathering.

Something else I don't understand is why bowl-lathering (for me) produces very "thin" (watered down) feeling lather. Still voluminous... but just doesn't have that richness. Even if I do everything else the same, with the same products, etc. Not trying to offend bowl-latherers, I just don't understand why my bowl-lather sucks.

Thursday November 3, 2022
Razor: 1921 Gillette Big Fellow
Blade: Wizamet
Brush: Spartan Custom/Cashmere
Soap: HCSC Friday Night Lights
AS 1: Alcoholado Eucaliptino 70
AS 2: CHH Tobacco
Fragrance:
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1,458

Why does the palm of your hand make such fine lather? Is it the wrinkles, or the callouses, or the knobby bones that build that rich texture? Whatever it is, I get my best lather off my left paw.

Bouki, I agree about the palm-lather being Z Best and also contemplate the why. I'm not sure either. One other theory I've had is that all (or on the whole) the lather gets worked more by the brush (smaller surface area vs. being spread all over the face), (and) all the while the skin is soaking up some of the water. Both things making it richer.
As well, and I think YOU mentioned it a while ago, maybe we put more pressure on the brush when palm-lathering vs. face-lathering.

Something else I don't understand is why bowl-lathering (for me) produces very "thin" (watered down) feeling lather. Still voluminous... but just doesn't have that richness. Even if I do everything else the same, with the same products, etc. Not trying to offend bowl-latherers, I just don't understand why my bowl-lather sucks.

First things first: really rely on your photos to make my day. While it may seem hum drum for you, the sheer beauty of your environs is a fantasy escape for the rest of us.

To the reason for the post: am predominantly a bowl latherer and in a smooth crystal bowl to boot.

The critical factor is to spread the soap thinly across the inner surface the day before so it can dry and stick to the bowl surface. Then, be sparing with water as loading all the soap onto the brush in a paste like texture. Once fully loaded, gradually add water, dancing the tips, until it consistent to the texture desired. Finally, squeeze out all the lather trapped in the brush and only lift what needed for each pass using the brush.

Somebody mentioned that an inexpensive brush had created some of their best lathers. Experience has been the softer a knot in feel and density, the easier it is to lather irrespective of knot hair type. Kent badger, for example being able to whip up any soap under any conditions.

Here's a photo from a 20 mile run including some deep woods sections sans trails. Always encounter and startle wildlife on these - yesterday a herd of deer.

Ethos Fresco….love that lime!

Captain's Choice / 45th Parallel

Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk