Hi All
Hi All
Hi All,
I started making soap as a hobby (actually out of boredom one evening) and it kept on going. Not to long ago I was asked to make shaving soap. Up to that point I just shaved with the bath soap I made. This has changed.
So now I am in pursuit of the Überlather.
After about 60+ different shaving soap mixtures I have an idea of what fatty acid ratio in the oil mixture controls the properties of the lather. So now it is down to the adjustment of things like getting it to load on the brush in the quickest time possible and reducing the lathering time.
Onward…
Mike
I started making soap as a hobby (actually out of boredom one evening) and it kept on going. Not to long ago I was asked to make shaving soap. Up to that point I just shaved with the bath soap I made. This has changed.
So now I am in pursuit of the Überlather.
After about 60+ different shaving soap mixtures I have an idea of what fatty acid ratio in the oil mixture controls the properties of the lather. So now it is down to the adjustment of things like getting it to load on the brush in the quickest time possible and reducing the lathering time.
Onward…
Mike
Re: Hi All
Hello Mike! Thanks for joining us at SMF. We look forward to your participation.
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
Re: Hi All
Welcome to SMF Mike; glad to see you.
BobS
Life is too short not to use a sharp blade and a good brush.
Life is too short not to use a sharp blade and a good brush.
- fallingwickets
- Clive the Thumb
- Posts: 8813
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:59 am
Re: Hi All
welcome to smf
if you havent seen the thread already, this might be of interest:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=51901
as far as
clive
if you havent seen the thread already, this might be of interest:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=51901
as far as
goes, you can count me out. One of the joys of wet shaving is avoiding the rushreducing the lathering time
clive
de gustibus non est disputandum
Re: Hi All
Welcome aboard. Come often and stay long.
I'm inclined to agree with Clive...
Part of the fun "IS" the lathering. I enjoy taking my time doing it.
I think you will like it here, so enjoy and please participate in the conversations. There is a lot of expertise around here.
I'm inclined to agree with Clive...
Part of the fun "IS" the lathering. I enjoy taking my time doing it.
I think you will like it here, so enjoy and please participate in the conversations. There is a lot of expertise around here.
Best Regards From the Deep South...
Remember; It's Not A Race, It's Your Face...
And As Always, Enjoy Your Shave...
(Racso) Oscar...
Remember; It's Not A Race, It's Your Face...
And As Always, Enjoy Your Shave...
(Racso) Oscar...
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 1:13 am
- Location: Central Maine
Re: Hi All
Welcome.
Dittos to the crew that doesn't care about the time it takes to lather, etc. . I think there are far more important things to consider and I'd hate to see those qualities sacrificed for speed and ease. That's what got us cartridges. But it's your soap, so go for it.
Dittos to the crew that doesn't care about the time it takes to lather, etc. . I think there are far more important things to consider and I'd hate to see those qualities sacrificed for speed and ease. That's what got us cartridges. But it's your soap, so go for it.
Brian
Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
Maker of Kramperts Finest Bay Rum and Frostbite
Or find it here: Italian Barber, West Coast Shaving, Barclay Crocker, The Old Town Shaving Company at Stats, Maggard Razors; Leavitt & Peirce, Harvard Square
Re: Hi All
There's a slight mis-communication. If anybody loves taking time to make lather, they should grab a puck of the Musgo Real "shaving soap". You'll quickly (after about 20-30-40 minutes TRYING to make a lather) understand what Mike's talking about, and I thoroughly agree with Mike. Nobody in their right mind wants a soap that will NOT make a lather no matter how long you try. All of the good lathering soaps burst into lather quite readily. Then when the easy and quick lather's started, then we can take all the time we want while we enjoy "building it". Two different things, I promise you! I know exactly what you're talking about Mike.
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
- Craig_From_Cincy
- Posts: 1476
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:38 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, OH USA
Re: Hi All
A soap-maker, eh? Welcome to SMF.
Re: Hi All
Mike,
Welcome and enjoy your SMF experience.
The soap-makers here have compiled an impressive track record, to which we hope you will add!
jr/John
Welcome and enjoy your SMF experience.
The soap-makers here have compiled an impressive track record, to which we hope you will add!
jr/John
Enjoying wet shaving, again.
jr/John
jr/John
Re: Hi All
Thanks Fellows.
For the lathering time, I do 150 "swirls" on the soap puck to load the brush. I picked this number from wathcing a Youtube video about how to build lather...I counted what the fellow on the video did and have been using it as a standard since then.
I hope to be making a video of the results in the near future.
For the lathering time, I do 150 "swirls" on the soap puck to load the brush. I picked this number from wathcing a Youtube video about how to build lather...I counted what the fellow on the video did and have been using it as a standard since then.
I hope to be making a video of the results in the near future.
Re: Hi All
Mike. Welcome!!! Enjoy the interaction with this sophisticated group of gentlemen.
Re: Hi All
Really -- you count 150 swirls??? We do advertise that ymmv with all things shaving.Mike D wrote:...
For the lathering time, I do 150 "swirls" on the soap puck to load the brush. ...
I hope to be making a video of the results in the near future.
Re: Hi All
Welcome, Mike! This is certainly an opportune time for another knowledgeable soapmaker to join our ranks.
- Murray
- Murray
-
- Assistant Dean SMFU
- Posts: 9449
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:32 am
- Location: Vancouver, BC
Re: Hi All
Oh my. I'm not sure how hard your water is, but that is A LOT of soap. You can do what you like of course, but - well, I'm a "swirl counter" as well, just out of habit, and for me 35 is definitely excessive and 10 is not out of the question, usually somewhere between those. I do have a stiff brush and soft water, but I don't do any tricks of wetting the soap or anything like that. I use a little comfortable light pressure on the brush, but certainly not "mashing" it or anything. So, umm, - maybe try a little less and see how you make out. One way to figure it out: Start with a damp brush with minimum water in it, do 10 swirls on the soap, and lather it up. Add a tiny bit of water if it seems necessary. Find out what you get from that. With your water there and your brush, it might be paltry inadequate lather - but I bet you'd find out that using double or triple what I use is sufficient, and may even shave you better, rather than using 15 times as much as I do.Mike D wrote:Thanks Fellows.
For the lathering time, I do 150 "swirls" on the soap puck to load the brush. I picked this number from wathcing a Youtube video about how to build lather...I counted what the fellow on the video did and have been using it as a standard since then.