Lather Shots 2022

Gentlemen, I just realized that we have not opened a thread for lather shots in 2022.  It's time get one going and I'll start with Arran Shave Stone soap.  Every time I used this soap I'm impressed by how quickly and easily it loads on the brush.

Working on kind of learning to lather all over again has really paid off. It turns out my biggest mistake was not enough water. I always had the fear of it thinning out too much. Interestingly enough, it seems to be the opposite. The more I add, the more voluminous it becomes. It all adds up to a nice, slick, creamy lather. Water and time are key. That and learning the appropriate amount of time and water for the particular soap as they can all differ. 

Mike, that's great looking lather.

(03-28-2022, 03:16 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

Working on kind of learning to lather all over again has really paid off. It turns out my biggest mistake was not enough water. I always had the fear of it thinning out too much. Interestingly enough, it seems to be the opposite. The more I add, the more voluminous it becomes. It all adds up to a nice, slick, creamy lather. Water and time are key. That and learning the appropriate amount of time and water for the particular soap as they can all differ. 

Yes indeed, as you note, water and time are key.  I believe an absolute minimum of 1 minute of production is needed, but 2 minutes is noticeably better.  Maybe even a bit longer if it's soap instead of cream.  And, adding the water very gradually.  Different products vary a little, of course.  But, in my experience, adding the water a  few drops at at time is always best.

And, if you have really hard water, then using distilled water might be nice.

(03-28-2022, 05:46 PM)David Wrote:

(03-28-2022, 03:16 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

Working on kind of learning to lather all over again has really paid off. It turns out my biggest mistake was not enough water. I always had the fear of it thinning out too much. Interestingly enough, it seems to be the opposite. The more I add, the more voluminous it becomes. It all adds up to a nice, slick, creamy lather. Water and time are key. That and learning the appropriate amount of time and water for the particular soap as they can all differ. 

Yes indeed, as you note, water and time are key.  I believe an absolute minimum of 1 minute of production is needed, but 2 minutes is noticeably better.  Maybe even a bit longer if it's soap instead of cream.  And, adding the water very gradually.  Different products vary a little, of course.  But, in my experience, adding the water a  few drops at at time is always best.

And, if you have really hard water, then using distilled water might be nice.

I see some add water all at once and then build. I add a little bit at a time as I go. I load my brush, work it in the bowl a bit, then add water. I work it more, then add water. I continue to do that until I have it where I want.

(03-28-2022, 05:54 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

(03-28-2022, 05:46 PM)David Wrote:

(03-28-2022, 03:16 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

Working on kind of learning to lather all over again has really paid off. It turns out my biggest mistake was not enough water. I always had the fear of it thinning out too much. Interestingly enough, it seems to be the opposite. The more I add, the more voluminous it becomes. It all adds up to a nice, slick, creamy lather. Water and time are key. That and learning the appropriate amount of time and water for the particular soap as they can all differ. 

Yes indeed, as you note, water and time are key.  I believe an absolute minimum of 1 minute of production is needed, but 2 minutes is noticeably better.  Maybe even a bit longer if it's soap instead of cream.  And, adding the water very gradually.  Different products vary a little, of course.  But, in my experience, adding the water a  few drops at at time is always best.

And, if you have really hard water, then using distilled water might be nice.

I see some add water all at once and then build. I add a little bit at a time as I go. I load my brush, work it in the bowl a bit, then add water. I work it more, then add water. I continue to do that until I have it where I want.

Absolutely Mike!  I start with little water and only add if pasty looking or not quite hydrated as desired.  I was starting with too much water.

(03-29-2022, 03:47 AM)Chappy Wrote:

(03-28-2022, 05:54 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

(03-28-2022, 05:46 PM)David Wrote: Yes indeed, as you note, water and time are key.  I believe an absolute minimum of 1 minute of production is needed, but 2 minutes is noticeably better.  Maybe even a bit longer if it's soap instead of cream.  And, adding the water very gradually.  Different products vary a little, of course.  But, in my experience, adding the water a  few drops at at time is always best.

And, if you have really hard water, then using distilled water might be nice.

I see some add water all at once and then build. I add a little bit at a time as I go. I load my brush, work it in the bowl a bit, then add water. I work it more, then add water. I continue to do that until I have it where I want.

Absolutely Mike!  I start with little water and only add if pasty looking or not quite hydrated as desired.  I was starting with too much water.

Too much water was my fear initially. I simply prefer the control of a little at a time until I get where I want. As I have heard with many things: you can always add more water, but you can't take it away. Though I guess you could add more soap or cream. To each his own, if it works, it works! I prefer to add as I go.

As someone who’s occasionally added too much water too quickly, here’s how to recover:
1. If you’re getting a lot of sudsy watery lather and there is water on the puck - just pour it off
2. if the water is absorbed into the brush, but the lather is thin - either load longer or squeeze some of that watery lather out of the brush and continue loading.

Brush: Voigt & Cop
Soap: Nuavia nera



















Best Regards

PAA CK-6 Formula

Mike, is that lather or a bowl of whipped cream?     My goodness that looks great!!

(04-14-2022, 05:41 PM)Chappy Wrote: Mike, is that lather or a bowl of whipped cream?     My goodness that looks great!!

It might be a super lather of both soap and whipped cream... who knows... 

(04-14-2022, 05:41 PM)Chappy Wrote: Mike, is that lather or a bowl of whipped cream?     My goodness that looks great!!

Thanks, haha!!! It's lather. I started relearning to lather and it seems I'm regularly saying this is my best lather yet!!! This one definitely is!!! It has really paid off. This one definitely came out thick, creamy, and smooth. I hope I can do it again!

(04-15-2022, 04:58 AM)ImJustMe Wrote:

(04-14-2022, 05:41 PM)Chappy Wrote: Mike, is that lather or a bowl of whipped cream?     My goodness that looks great!!

It might be a super lather of both soap and whipped cream... who knows... 

I have always wanted to try that, but it is just soap. I wish I could remember how I exactly did this one in terms of time, water, etc.

(04-15-2022, 03:32 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

(04-15-2022, 04:58 AM)ImJustMe Wrote:

(04-14-2022, 05:41 PM)Chappy Wrote: Mike, is that lather or a bowl of whipped cream?     My goodness that looks great!!

It might be a super lather of both soap and whipped cream... who knows... 

I have always wanted to try that, but it is just soap. I wish I could remember how I exactly did this one in terms of time, water, etc.

Kinky...  

(04-14-2022, 03:38 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

One of the better lather shots I've seen.  Well done, Mike

(04-15-2022, 06:20 PM)TheLegalRazor Wrote:

(04-14-2022, 03:38 PM)Mike Distress Wrote:

One of the better lather shots I've seen.  Well done, Mike

Ricardo, thank you so much! I have been working on it, but this is my best. I just hope I can replicate it again. My lathering style is kind of like your grandmother making a recipe that she doesn't have written down because it's in her head. You know, pinch of this, dash of that, etc. No exact or specific formula.

PAA CK-6 

Timed myself, spent just under 20 minutes making this.

Wow, 20 minutes!  I'm usually done shaving and cleaning up in 20-25 minutes.  That is a great looking lather.  Been thinking about getting some PAA CK-6 but is more than I normally spend?  Now that I'm scooping I do use less soap though...  Hmm...     How's the shave with PAA CK-6?  I got a birthday coming up.