Yesterday’s lather problem was just insufficient loading of the brush. Today, using the WSP Baroness, a very nice little brush, I took more time in loading and had plenty of lather for the shave. This tub is full to the brim, but in fact neat loading is not really any difficulty—it may be for the first couple of times you do it, but experience is a good teacher and one quickly learns how to load a brush neatly from a full tub. I do use a brush that’s merely damp. (I give the brush a couple of good shakes after wetting it well under the hot-water tap.) If more water is needed, as is generally the case, I add a small driblet or two of water as I work up the the lather on my face. Obviously, if your brush is dripping wet, neat loading is going to be a problem, but there’s no reason to have the brush so wet—and in fact that seems to be counterproductive for soaps that contain clay. Those do require a little more water during loading, but I still start with a damp brush and add a small driblet or two of water while I load the brush, working each driblet into the brush before adding the next.
With a good lather and a good razor—and the RazoRock Old Type is, IMO, an excellent razor, both extremely comfortable and extremely efficient—the shave is a pleasure, and today’s result was a totally smooth and nick-free face. The Old Type cost $8 for the head by itself, $15 for the complete razor. The very cool and comfortable handle I received seems to be no longer available, but any handle will work.
A good splash of Barrister & Mann Reserve Spice, and the day is launched.
Filed under: Shaving
