Soap vs Creme

I tried using a shaving soap today instead of shaving creme. I've been using Taylor of Old Bond Street. I am using a Vie Long badger/horse mix brush. I loaded the brush really well. Eventually I loaded it 3 times. I lathered in a bowl. It looked like I had a really good thick lather, both in the bowl and when I brushed it on my face. It didn't last long! By the time I shaved one side of my face the lather on the other side had disappeared. I had to keep applying lather over an over. Is this par for the course using a soap? I've tried several kinds of soaps and they all do the same thing. The soap I used today said something like "traditional Havana scent" on it. Smelled wonderful. Didn't shave too well though.

What am I doing wrong?

Sounds like you need more water.

sounds like you aren't using enough product or enough water.

Get the brush nice and wet and then load the brush for at least a minute on the soap.

(06-17-2012, 04:51 PM)RazoRock_Joe Wrote: sounds like you aren't using enough product or enough water.

Get the brush nice and wet and then load the brush for at least a minute on the soap.

+1. listen to this guy, he knows what he's talking about

(06-17-2012, 04:51 PM)RazoRock_Joe Wrote: sounds like you aren't using enough product or enough water.

Get the brush nice and wet and then load the brush for at least a minute on the soap.

OK, tomorrow I won't shake out the brush before loading the soap. I'd like to learn to get the same type of lather I get from cremes.

If its a hard soap did you put some warm water on it and let it soak. Works well for me for Tabac. Try that.

The mantra on my head goes like : " more product,more water,more product,more water,more product,more water.." and I never experience dry lather or have to reload the shaving brush.

(06-17-2012, 05:07 PM)uncledave Wrote:

(06-17-2012, 04:51 PM)RazoRock_Joe Wrote: sounds like you aren't using enough product or enough water.

Get the brush nice and wet and then load the brush for at least a minute on the soap.

OK, tomorrow I won't shake out the brush before loading the soap. I'd like to learn to get the same type of lather I get from cremes.

remember that you can always add more water if you start with a dryer brush. me personally, I usually start with a dryer brush and add more water as I lather on my face.

Uncle Dave - I much prefer shaving soaps to creams. I'd suggest using more product, and when the lather is a bit too thick, add a little water at a time until it's just right!

When you begin to load up if you have enough water and its a hard Puck you you should see some pretty frothy bubbles come up but keep loading specially if that brush is soft some soaps take a round or two to break in a bit, I always palm lather new soaps so I can feel it out a bit plus you can apply all in your hand to face then use your brush to mix it up after that

Although very new to using soap after a 18-month love affair with various D R Harris shaving creams, I think I'm becoming a soap convert. My shave is marginally better, and my face seems to be a lot better afterwards. I think it is worthwhile sticking with the soap ...

(06-19-2012, 12:09 PM)Persius Wrote: Although very new to using soap after a 18-month love affair with various D R Harris shaving creams, I think I'm becoming a soap convert. My shave is marginally better, and my face seems to be a lot better afterwards. I think it is worthwhile sticking with the soap ...

Traveling the same road. Used T&H Ultimate comfort for years, but now almost exclusively on to soaps (except for Proraso Red which I love).

Thanks fellas, I put some warm water on the soap and let it soak and then went at it with my brush very wet. It worked up a very nice thick lather that felt really good on my face. Gave me a very nice shave!

(06-19-2012, 05:56 PM)uncledave Wrote: Thanks fellas, I put some warm water on the soap and let it soak and then went at it with my brush very wet. It worked up a very nice thick lather that felt really good on my face. Gave me a very nice shave!

Glad to hear it - nice work!

I always leave a bit of water on the soap to keep it soft.
Glad it worked out fpr you