Lather. How do you like yours served?

[GlazedBoker]

Just a real simple question. How do you like your lather? Light and airy? Rich and dense? Do you prefer that yogurty type of consistency or a foamy finish that holds like it was sculpted?

Me personally, I prefer a dense, rich well hydrated lather though, it’s not runny as it still has that traditional looking sculpted look. Gives me a little bit better glide without sacrificing much in cushion and protection if any at all. Plus, the added benefit being that I get excellent residual slickness with almost all the soaps in my den when I build my lathers this way. I have also gotten into the habit of using my extra leftover lather and applied that to my face for a few seconds as I clean up the tools and shave area. I only do that with a select few artisan soaps that have all the natural skin healing goodness.

So, how do you like yours served?

Lisa’s today...


Lisa’s yesterday....

 

[Dave in KY]

Rich and dense normally but also leaning towards wet and yogurty lately if a soap will do it. Yours with Lisa's looks great !!

 

[GearNoir]

I like mine yogurty slick, opaque enough that I can’t see too much skin underneath, but not so thick that it’s overly globulous.

My first pass is usually worked to the thickest it will ever get, as I rinse between passes thus adding more water. 2nd pass is usually at its best; 3rd is a bit on the lighter side, but still very slick.

 

[Cvargo]

There is a spot where one more drop of water causes it to get droopy, I like it right before that! If you watch Josh (dagwoodz) videos I like my lather just a tiny bit drier than him.

 

[dkeester]

I usually like mine well hydrated and dense, but not yet to the point where it easily flings around the bathroom.

 

[Dagwoodz]

As stated, I enjoy a wetter lather, though depending on the shaving system, will go with something a bit more dry. Consistency wise, soft, collapsing peaks is what I look for in the bowl, then with a little bit of additional work once it's on the face brings out the volume. Somewhere between greek yogurt and regular yogurt is the sweet spot for me...but some soaps won't get there, (CFG, TTFFC, Fine, MdC to name a few), so getting the balance just right can be a little trickier. Let the lather fly!

I've found that with most of the artisan soaps today, the water band is fairly wide, so it gives you plenty of opportunity to fine tune the lather to your preferences. The catch to wetter lathers is if you take it just a tad too far, you lose out on residual slickness and cushion. But, the more water that is in the lather, the better the slickness. Such a fine balancing act...part of what makes lathering fun and challenging.

 

[GlazedBoker]

Rich and dense normally but also leaning towards wet and yogurty lately if a soap will do it. Yours with Lisa's looks great !!

Thanks Brother. Lisa’s has been an eye opener for me.

I like mine yogurty slick, opaque enough that I can’t see too much skin underneath, but not so thick that it’s overly globulous.

My first pass is usually worked to the thickest it will ever get, as I rinse between passes thus adding more water. 2nd pass is usually at its best; 3rd is a bit on the lighter side, but still very slick.

There is a spot where one more drop of water causes it to get droopy, I like it right before that! If you watch Josh (dagwoodz) videos I like my lather just a tiny bit drier than him.

I usually like mine well hydrated and dense, but not yet to the point where it easily flings around the bathroom.

Amen. Agree with every single one of you gents. Dense, rich with a yogurt like consistency. As Chad says, a notch or 2 just before it gets droopy or runny. That’s the good stuff......?

 

[Shavewizard420]

With the majority of soaps i like to add about as much water as possible. as mentioned sometimes it can be lacking in cushion or hinder the lather is some way, but most soaps these days are "thirsty" and benefit from plenty of water.

 

[smurfups77]

I like my lather rich, dense, yogurty and shiny because when its shiny its slick. I agree with Chris the second pass is normally the best.
Happy shaves

 

[kingfisher]

Like the lather in your second picture.

Every day.

 

[DocHoliday0831]

I like mine thick and slick and a tad drier than most I think.

 

[ShavePastor]

This:

 

[Dave in KY]

^^^^^ Looks perfect !! ^^^^^

 

[NurseDave]

This:

Someone should PIF that poor guy a brush

 

[Nav]

Rich and dense normally but also leaning towards wet and yogurty lately if a soap will do it. Yours with Lisa's looks great !!

+1 on the wet yoghurt lather. It should be dense and not airy or bubbly but slightly to the wetter side.

 

[oddlypeculiar]

This:

This is amazing - I'm still trying to get to this consistency. Although I've wondered whether this sort of consistency is better suited to straight razors which I've read primarily relies on sickness rather than cushion.

 

[Graybeard57]

Rich and creamy. I only use tallow soaps that lather this way.

 

[Spider]

I prefer thick lather. I don't like wet lather that flies everywhere, or falls off my razor as it collects while I'm shaving.

But really, when it comes down to it.... I don't care, as long as it is slick.

 

[Quijote]

This is amazing - I'm still trying to get to this consistency. Although I've wondered whether this sort of consistency is better suited to straight razors which I've read primarily relies on sickness rather than cushion.

They really are a sickness. One I hope to never be cured of.

 

[oddlypeculiar]

They really are a sickness. One I hope to never be cured of.

yep that's what I meant