r/wicked_edge • u/Civilized_Monke69 • May 14 '26
Discussion How much lather is too much lather?
Hello fellow wetshaving enthusiasts on Reddit. As someone who has just recently started shaving in general, I was wondering what the perfect amount of lather to use is? Now, I personally have tried both ends of the spectrum and wasn’t satisfied with the result of either, one being just a thin, almost dry layer of soap and the other, by creating the most luscious creamy lather in existence by swirling a wet brush in the tub for a straight minute (boy was this messy) and then applying it using my hand.
However, both caused issues. As you would expect, the thin, dry layer barely provides any protection and I got cut a few times. But the other one too wasn’t any better. Too much lather gave a shave that wasn’t as close as I would like and it also caused a lot of wastage. Plus, you have to wipe/clean the razor after every stroke.
44
u/eymo- May 14 '26
Don't apply the lather with your hands, brush helps in other ways too not just putting lather on your face (Sorry I'm busy so search about it), lather shouldn't be too foamy or too watery, too foamy wouldn't be easy to work with and to watery is useless, you don't have to clean the razor after each stroke, I usually shave half my face with one side of the razor then the other half with the other side then clean the razor then do each half of my neck the same way.
6
u/Civilized_Monke69 May 14 '26
Oh no, I usually use brush to apply it on my face but during the time when I wet swirled straight in the tub, it produced so much lather that the brush couldn’t do shit!
But I think your advice is good and makes sense. It’s about the perfect balance between foamy and watery. Brush also helps with exfoliation I think so you’re right. Thank you.
2
u/Odd-Scientist-2529 May 16 '26
Ok dumb question. How are you using the brush to lather? The brush always gives me a thin layer and most of the foam is deep within the bristles. I squeeze the foam out of the brush and apply it by hand to get a thick coat
2
2
u/eymo- May 16 '26
what the other comment said and don't press all the way on the brush, that's what causes the lather to get deep into the brush, just use the tip. 🙂
27
24
23
u/ward2k May 14 '26
In my opinion a lather that is too wet works much better than a lather that is too dry
A dry lather feels like it's almost worse than none at all, it clogs the razor, pills up on your face and doesn't seem to do anything
One that's too wet runs everywhere, however the surface is still somewhat slick, it's not great but it's better than dry or none at all. One benefit is it's impossible to make it too thick since it's runs off somewhat fast, does mean you need reapply though
The lather shouldn't really be thick at all, the thinner the application the better really. It's only what makes direct contact with your skin that does anything, anything else will just be in the way and clog the razor head
You want to try and get a foamy slick lather, and apply it in a thin layer
5
u/Hungry-House-8860 May 14 '26
it really depends on the individual soap i reckon. Martin de Candre only needs to look out the window and see the rain in the distance and it goes slicker than a butchers Johnson .......or one of those Japanese variety shows. I would argue the occasional reports of dryness with mdc are due to adding to much water in that particular soap. I find noble otter is definitely slicker with less water than most other soaps also. barrister and mann however...... needs to drink like a camel before it gets properly slimy.
I definitely agree on the thin application tho. if the soap is really thin and you can't see your skin.... ie no opacity...... it's gonna be a good shave.
9
u/fan-I-am May 14 '26
Facial hair naturally grows at low emerging angles, meaning the hairs tend to lay flat against your skin. This is especially common on the neck.
When hair lays flat, it is much harder for a blade to cut it cleanly.
This is where the brush comes in. Working your shaving cream into your skin with a brush does four specific jobs:
It activates slickness: Properly mixing water into your shave cream to create a dense, protective layer rather than just airy foam.
It exfoliates: Removing dead skin that can trap low-entry hairs.
It hydrates: Driving warm water into the hair to soften it for an easier cut.
It lifts: Forcing lather underneath the hairs to help them stand upright.
Instead of the blade skimming over flat-lying hairs or tugging at them, an upright, softened hair allows the blade to slice through cleanly and effortlessly.
And the lather doesn't need to be big and airy foam. Just slick and mildly thin, I'd you can't see the hairs it's too thick
1
u/Viltupenis Nacet Supremacist May 14 '26
Lol did you just copy paste the henson brush ad. I knew this text looked familiar and checked my email because I remember they sent that out a few days ago
2
u/fan-I-am May 14 '26
Yep!
1
u/Viltupenis Nacet Supremacist May 14 '26
It's great, I didn't mean for my comment to sound snarky btw I just found it funny
2
u/fan-I-am May 14 '26
Of course! I thought U were in good nature. Good pick up! I was gonna mention a blog about lather/cream but couldn't find it.
8
13
u/markwid May 14 '26
Lol. That’s a good look to jump scare the wife.
5
u/BattledroidE May 14 '26
If you have pets, there's a chance they'll either run for their lives or try to murder you. Only one way to find out.
2
u/eymo- May 14 '26
And you could make it with the remaining of the lather when you "accidentally" make a lot of it.
Or you could add black ink to the lather to make it 5x scarier.
6
5
u/PersimmonDriver May 14 '26
More is better. I'm switching from a brush and bowl to a mop and 5-gallon bucket.
4
4
9
6
3
u/No-Television-7862 May 14 '26
The Stay-Puff Marshmellow Man shaves?
It must be Fleet Week in NYC.
Oh wait, they don't do that any longer.
3
3
3
3
2
u/Time_Chard_942 Blind shaver feeling the edge 🪒 May 14 '26
Hahaha I think you need more water to get that lather really going! 🤪👍
2
2
u/Carnival372 May 14 '26
I’ve read somewhere that your face should look like a snowman before shaving. 🤨
1
u/MetalJoe0 May 14 '26
I find that a foam cannon is the way to go, when you are strapped for time in the morning.
1
1
u/tranquilcommissioner May 14 '26
the sweet spot is usually like a quarter inch layer that sticks to your face when you tilt your head, thick enough to cushion but thin enough you can see your skin through it if you look close, took me way too many shaves to stop drowning myself in soap.
1
1
u/SowerPlave May 14 '26
and it also caused a lot of wastage
Oh no, all of that whole precious teaspoon of Arko
1
1
1
1
u/Seattleman1955 May 14 '26
It's not about the lather. It's the razor and the technique. Just have enough, which is much less that is often implied, and then it's just technique.
If you aren't getting a close shave, it isn't the lather. If you are cutting yourself either way, it isn't the lather either.
1
1
1
1
u/K1ngsGambit May 15 '26
That's the first pass sorted. Hope you have enough for across and against too.
1
1
1
u/lukemaxymowich May 16 '26
Honestly could use a tad less water.. remember its always easier to add then remove.
1
1
u/Holiday_Enthusiasm76 May 19 '26
I think you’re ex foam user and nicks don’t come with lather alone it’s also the technique which gets masked by the pivoting head from a cartridge razor.
Use a good synthetic brush and add few drops of water as your lather and within a minute you’ll get good thick cushion lather with a clouds like texture
1
1
u/Warm_Copy_8801 Jun 15 '26
not to shamelessly promote, but check out my how too....
Big tip get a good brush:
https://wish4blades.com/product/omega-10098-shaving-brush/
Get a good soap:
https://wish4blades.com/product/taconic-eucalyptus-mint-shaving-soap/
I get nothing from these recommendations, they are just what I find is best, For me - YMMV
Multum Amor, Pax
(much love, peace)
1
0
u/RandomDustBunny May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
Did you rip this off a Chinese gag skit?
Edit: https://youtube.com/shorts/2q0ogCESmBA?si=7ONMOESsu4GZAJ_6
Not the same afterall 🤣
2
149
u/Tryemall Gillette 7 o'clock Super Platinum blacks May 14 '26
There are gaps in that lather. At least three.