My god; thank you for this simple video. I'm currently in a colder climate, and I'm trying out wet-shaving to see if it will benefit a lot of guys out here suffering from skin issues and pseudofolliculitis barbae. Working with really no prior knowledge as I get started, it's been frustrating with the lack of quick guides. Most info videos I'm seeing are 5-10 minutes of intro with random details and then they just skip by how/why they're doing everything. Thank you so much for just making a simple video, with add-in instructions, showing what you need to do to build that lather properly. Your
Skip that soaking/blooming baloney. A damp brush swirled around on the puck will pick up plenty of soap to be able to builtd a lather in a mug or scuttle. Add a few drops of water at a time to the mug until you get the perfect lather. And you're not stuck with a soggy, partially dissolved puck afterward!
EXACTLY! I do not want to shovel through that much lather, have extra bowl to keep up with, and clean up. A slightly wet wet brush in the mug, stir it around until I get the lather I want, then brush it on. I understand there are guys out there that like to " baby " themselves, and spend thirty, or forty five minutes in the bathroom, that is fine, I just don`t happen to be one of those guys.
Agreed! I also like to take the loaded brush and build the lather on my skin instead of in another separate bowl. Simplicity matters to me. We're already shaving at a more comfortable level than most.
Thank God someone is showing how to do this. Am just now at the age of 57 starting to use safety razors and don't know my head from my back side on any of this. Thanks!!
As someone who has wet shaved the new wave way with premixed creams out of the can and previously cartridge razors I really appreciate this. Gives me a better understanding of how to properly make a lather. Will have to get the rest of the stuff now!
If you melted a puck into your own mug or bowl, a quick rinse (not wash) won't hurt it as long as you don't leave any water in it. Our pucks are very hard so you won't be wasting any either by rinsing, which is why they last a long time. Softer soaps are more prone to quality with rinse, though. Also, I don't cover mine, because it gets stored in the cabinet and doesn't sit long enough to collect any dust. However, covering prevents moisture from beading out in hotter weather conditions. In winters, heaters, especially central air, cause dry air that also sucks out moisture from soaps and covering may prevent it. Hope I was able to address your concerns. Thanks for a great question!
@@menssoapcompany1262 Wait...if you're for example, replacing a puck into one of those GBS containers, I have to melt it to make it stay in there? I don't know how i'd melt it into the container as I believe it is made of wood...
@@CertifiedSped94 put the soap brick into pieces, put them into the thick mug like for tea..then put water into the pan and put mug with soap into the pan with water..and under i would say low or mid heat, melt the soap..when it's melted pour it into a bowl for example wooden one and let it dry out for few hours and then welcome :) ...
In these Inflationary Times. HERE IS AN EASY WAY TO DO IT MY FRIENDs Use any hard Bar Soap, Tallow or Glycerin based Soaps out there? To fit in any Mugs or Cups? Like" (Mitchells' Wool Fat or Arko Sticks. Just to name a few of them?) You can mix and match your old Soaps? Cut up the soap on a paper plate, pour your soap chunks with the shavings from the Paper Plate into a Mug, cover the soap with a small amount of water, and microwave your soap. For about a minute or so? Place a paper plate under your mug in case it bubbles out of your cup? If it foams up, STOP. The water keeps it from burning itself up. (DON'T OVER WATER YOUR SOAP??) Easy, does it? Let cool don't want to Crack the Mugs or Cups you're using? (You just want it to Congeal in your Mug or Cup') it is very hot and watery'''''. let it cool in PLACE'. after it cools, put it in a Sunny Window, until the Soap hardens? When using your soaps, use Dry Brush Less Water. It thickens the soap, making it easier to use on your face. Save your Money, spend it on your wife, don't listen to the shave Mafia. It saves me time and Money. Wheelchair Larry Happy New Year. Your Mileage may vary?
Can you please tell me where the soundtrack you are playing is from? Whom is the artist? I used to have all her music and now I forgot her name. Thanks for any help.
Thanks for the video. I just got a safety razor and was given the hard puck soap earlier as a gift. The directions on the soap box were....not helpful. First shave I didn't soak the brush enough nor get enough lather going. I managed a shave without cutting that still felt decent, but I'm looking forward to the second try.
Never found it necessary to "bloom" a soap before use to get it to lather. Even with Williams, a damp brush will load up to bowl lather just fine. If you have a problem lathering up from a puck, don't blame the puck & don't waste soap by soaking it in water & pouring it out. The culprit is most likely your hard tap water. Simply buy a gallon of distilled or DI water (80¢ at Walmart, or 30¢ for a gallon at a local Water & Ice Store). Demineralized or distilled water makes a world of difference in how your soap behaves.
If someone has hard water they should just buy a water purifier, not buy a plastig bottle full of distilled water for no reason, and if blooming is necessary (which is very easy to do and not very time consuming at all in the first place) there is no reason to not do it
Good information, I have a quality safety razor, brush and blades. I spent quite a bit, now I want the shaving bowl/mug. Do I really need to buy one or will any household bowl do the job ?
Good question. The first mug is for storage of the puck and loading the brush with enough soap to build lather in another bowl or on your skin directly. If you continue to lather on top of the soap, you'll be picking up more soap than needed, thus prematurely wasting soap in the process. Loading and building lather separately will help you get the most out of the soap. We've received feedbacks where a puck lasted them over a year, shaving 4 times on average per week.
@@menssoapcompany1262 Yeah, I figured as much. I'm betting though, that MOST men are LAZY bastards like me, and will use the SAME bowl for soap AND lathering. Thanks for the response, though! :)
@@mikekisonu6825 Haha good point. Glad you raised the question though. I'm sure others new to traditional shaving will find this discussion useful for deciding which method best suits them.
I just recently got Fine Fresh Vetiver Aftershave And Hard puck. I pressed in into one of my mugs, I’m going to use it tomorrow with my fat boy comes in the mail
Great video! I have a question: while building up lather in the bowl, do you need to put some pressure with the brush? Cause no matter how long I work with the brush (and adding some drops of water), I can't get a thick lather. But as I put pressure, it starts building up! Also, I'm afraid to put too much air in it while pushing.
Hi Luigi, thank you and great question. You shouldn't have to add much pressure to build a thick lather. However, hard water may be a factor for you. We have an article written about it (www.menssoap.com/blogs/shower-shave-coffee/hard-water-vs-soft-water). This issue is quite common actually. 14% of people we polled used distilled water because of it and others just simply kept at it until enough lather was built.
Before there were online tutorials like this, I worked in a specialty shave store. But myself & most of the sales associates knew all about electric shavers and next to nothing on the practice of wet shaving. Now that I'm graduating to straight edge/safety razor use, this video clears up any confusion I had about proper use, care & maintenance of soap, brush & mug. Thank you for your instruction!
Just started on wet shaving, and I bought a shaving set (razor, mug, brush, and stand) that came with a puck of soap. No matter how I search, I can't find anything on what to do with my soap puck. Do I leave it in the mug? Do I find something else to store it in? Do I buy a separate bowl to make lather? Would be nice to find a tutorial on the basics instead of 5 million "How to make lather" videos.
This is exactly what I am looking for too. All the wide bowls for pucks don't come with lids and all the ones with lids are really tiny. I am frustrated. Did you ever come up with a solution on what to do with your soapy mug with the puck in it between shaves?
Wastful Wastful. I didn't start shaving Until I was 20 but that was 55 years ago. I have always used mug, soap an brush. Use the brush to make the lather on your face not in a mug. You will get much better coverage and better softer whiskers.
My question as well. Also, do you leave the soap exposed to air so it will dry? My Proraso comes in a tub with a cover, cover off till dry, or back on to keep it moist? Mold issue?
The only time I have ever soaked or bloomed a puck is when it’s a hard puck like Tabac or Mitchels Wool Fat and only the first time and I have never used a separate bowl to develop a lather my whiskers did that. Converted well over 20 years ago.
This neatly demonstrates something I've never understood: why are shaving brush handles so stubby and short? You have to pinch it with your fingers, and get your hand right in amongst the building lather. The long-handled shaving brush is a rare, but very desirable beast!
@@davedoessomestuff8176 Hell, I don't even hassle with buying McDonalds food, I just go straight to their dumpster. Who has time to order food nowadays. 🤣
By far one of the best tutorials on how to create the right lather. Thanks.
My god; thank you for this simple video.
I'm currently in a colder climate, and I'm trying out wet-shaving to see if it will benefit a lot of guys out here suffering from skin issues and pseudofolliculitis barbae. Working with really no prior knowledge as I get started, it's been frustrating with the lack of quick guides. Most info videos I'm seeing are 5-10 minutes of intro with random details and then they just skip by how/why they're doing everything.
Thank you so much for just making a simple video, with add-in instructions, showing what you need to do to build that lather properly. Your
have fun fighting in mock wars set up by the CIA
@@NK-vw4ms
These days, that’s all is needed.
Pete :”)
Skip that soaking/blooming baloney. A damp brush swirled around on the puck will pick up plenty of soap to be able to builtd a lather in a mug or scuttle. Add a few drops of water at a time to the mug until you get the perfect lather. And you're not stuck with a soggy, partially dissolved puck afterward!
EXACTLY! I do not want to shovel through that much lather, have extra bowl to keep up with, and clean up. A slightly wet wet brush in the mug, stir it around until I get the lather I want, then brush it on. I understand there are guys out there that like to " baby " themselves, and spend thirty, or forty five minutes in the bathroom, that is fine, I just don`t happen to be one of those guys.
Well said act totally true.. Plus you waste so much shaving soap doing the blooming thing totally pointless
Just what I was going to say
Agreed! I also like to take the loaded brush and build the lather on my skin instead of in another separate bowl. Simplicity matters to me. We're already shaving at a more comfortable level than most.
Do what works for you and respect the fact that others prefer a different way. Too many shave “experts” in the comments.
Hahaha, that intro music made me think I was watching a Whiskey Tribe video.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
I think the biggest mistake is people, myself included, don’t load the brush nearly enough so it comes out as a light foam
Thank God someone is showing how to do this. Am just now at the age of 57 starting to use safety razors and don't know my head from my back side on any of this. Thanks!!
As someone who has wet shaved the new wave way with premixed creams out of the can and previously cartridge razors I really appreciate this. Gives me a better understanding of how to properly make a lather. Will have to get the rest of the stuff now!
just starting out on wet shaving. Good video on how to build lather. Now it's time to try it out
Instead of building in another bowl, you can just apply brush to face for a great face lathering.
That's what I do and it works just fine.
So what do you do with the puck after finished? I would think maybe to rinse off and keep dry so as to prevent bacterial growth?
If you melted a puck into your own mug or bowl, a quick rinse (not wash) won't hurt it as long as you don't leave any water in it. Our pucks are very hard so you won't be wasting any either by rinsing, which is why they last a long time. Softer soaps are more prone to quality with rinse, though. Also, I don't cover mine, because it gets stored in the cabinet and doesn't sit long enough to collect any dust. However, covering prevents moisture from beading out in hotter weather conditions. In winters, heaters, especially central air, cause dry air that also sucks out moisture from soaps and covering may prevent it. Hope I was able to address your concerns. Thanks for a great question!
@@menssoapcompany1262 Wait...if you're for example, replacing a puck into one of those GBS containers, I have to melt it to make it stay in there? I don't know how i'd melt it into the container as I believe it is made of wood...
@@CertifiedSped94 put the soap brick into pieces, put them into the thick mug like for tea..then put water into the pan and put mug with soap into the pan with water..and under i would say low or mid heat, melt the soap..when it's melted pour it into a bowl for example wooden one and let it dry out for few hours and then welcome :) ...
In these Inflationary Times. HERE IS AN EASY WAY TO DO IT MY FRIENDs Use any hard Bar Soap, Tallow or Glycerin based Soaps out there? To fit in any Mugs or Cups? Like" (Mitchells' Wool Fat or Arko Sticks. Just to name a few of them?) You can mix and match your old Soaps? Cut up the soap on a paper plate, pour your soap chunks with the shavings from the Paper Plate into a Mug, cover the soap with a small amount of water, and microwave your soap. For about a minute or so? Place a paper plate under your mug in case it bubbles out of your cup? If it foams up, STOP. The water keeps it from burning itself up. (DON'T OVER WATER YOUR SOAP??) Easy, does it? Let cool don't want to Crack the Mugs or Cups you're using? (You just want it to Congeal in your Mug or Cup') it is very hot and watery'''''. let it cool in PLACE'. after it cools, put it in a Sunny Window, until the Soap hardens? When using your soaps, use Dry Brush Less Water. It thickens the soap, making it easier to use on your face. Save your Money, spend it on your wife, don't listen to the shave Mafia. It saves me time and Money. Wheelchair Larry Happy New Year. Your Mileage may vary?
Great technique, but that's enough lather to shave 10 men.
👊 Thank you for easy to understand, fluid flo to instructions.
Music was nice as well
That’s a massive shave bowl. Mind dropping a link for that also?
Do people actually have ten minutes to mix up their soap every morning? 😮
Can you please tell me where the soundtrack you are playing is from? Whom is the artist? I used to have all her music and now I forgot her name. Thanks for any help.
I have done it wrong, I lathered on the puck😑 lucky I only did it once.
You can do that though ;)
@@sicariusperemo3789 Yes. Though you use more life expectancy for the puck
so much effort, you guys do this every morning?
OMG, just push the button on a Barbasol can lol
Just kidding of course
Thanks for the video. I just got a safety razor and was given the hard puck soap earlier as a gift. The directions on the soap box were....not helpful. First shave I didn't soak the brush enough nor get enough lather going. I managed a shave without cutting that still felt decent, but I'm looking forward to the second try.
Oh wow. I haven't been loading my brush nearly enough. No wonder my lather has been crap.
Never found it necessary to "bloom" a soap before use to get it to lather. Even with Williams, a damp brush will load up to bowl lather just fine. If you have a problem lathering up from a puck, don't blame the puck & don't waste soap by soaking it in water & pouring it out. The culprit is most likely your hard tap water. Simply buy a gallon of distilled or DI water (80¢ at Walmart, or 30¢ for a gallon at a local Water & Ice Store). Demineralized or distilled water makes a world of difference in how your soap behaves.
If someone has hard water they should just buy a water purifier, not buy a plastig bottle full of distilled water for no reason, and if blooming is necessary (which is very easy to do and not very time consuming at all in the first place) there is no reason to not do it
Great video, simple, straight to the point, Thanks
I literally cant do this to save my life.
Or as Sean Connery would say "I literally can't do this to shave my life."
I can start the lather right in the soap tin?
Thanks a bunch. This is the easiest follow video I have seen on lather.
Thanks! This is very thoroughly and clearly demonstrated -- most helpful!
I would prefer a longer brush handle to avoid all the soap 🧼 that gets on the handle and the hands.
Good information, I have a quality safety razor, brush and blades. I spent quite a bit, now I want the shaving bowl/mug. Do I really need to buy one or will any household bowl do the job ?
You don't need any special bowl or mug. Just make sure your hand feels comfortable while holding and working with the soap.
Snake Plissken shaves with a lawnmower blade, anyway.
Cleaned out candles jars / 16oz jars do the job for me
Great video 👍
Using a SECOND mug to build lather seems REDUNDANT.
Why not just finish building a lather in the initial bowl?
Good question. The first mug is for storage of the puck and loading the brush with enough soap to build lather in another bowl or on your skin directly. If you continue to lather on top of the soap, you'll be picking up more soap than needed, thus prematurely wasting soap in the process. Loading and building lather separately will help you get the most out of the soap. We've received feedbacks where a puck lasted them over a year, shaving 4 times on average per week.
@@menssoapcompany1262 Yeah, I figured as much.
I'm betting though, that MOST men are LAZY bastards like me, and will use the SAME bowl for soap AND lathering.
Thanks for the response, though! :)
@@mikekisonu6825 Haha good point. Glad you raised the question though. I'm sure others new to traditional shaving will find this discussion useful for deciding which method best suits them.
good tip about covering soap with hot water let in soften enough!
That's a sure way to cause a 'bald spot' on the brush if you keep doing that with pressure.
I just recently got Fine Fresh Vetiver Aftershave And Hard puck. I pressed in into one of my mugs, I’m going to use it tomorrow with my fat boy comes in the mail
What a complete mess, It doesn’t have to be this way. Lather all over the place....
Great video!
I have a question: while building up lather in the bowl, do you need to put some pressure with the brush? Cause no matter how long I work with the brush (and adding some drops of water), I can't get a thick lather. But as I put pressure, it starts building up!
Also, I'm afraid to put too much air in it while pushing.
Hi Luigi, thank you and great question. You shouldn't have to add much pressure to build a thick lather. However, hard water may be a factor for you. We have an article written about it (www.menssoap.com/blogs/shower-shave-coffee/hard-water-vs-soft-water). This issue is quite common actually. 14% of people we polled used distilled water because of it and others just simply kept at it until enough lather was built.
If your issue is with hard water try using a quality synthetic brush. They tend to lather better and easier in hard water.
Before there were online tutorials like this, I worked in a specialty shave store. But myself & most of the sales associates knew all about electric shavers and next to nothing on the practice of wet shaving. Now that I'm graduating to straight edge/safety razor use, this video clears up any confusion I had about proper use, care & maintenance of soap, brush & mug. Thank you for your instruction!
Do you have to prepare your beard before shaving with this method?
Just started on wet shaving, and I bought a shaving set (razor, mug, brush, and stand) that came with a puck of soap. No matter how I search, I can't find anything on what to do with my soap puck. Do I leave it in the mug? Do I find something else to store it in? Do I buy a separate bowl to make lather? Would be nice to find a tutorial on the basics instead of 5 million "How to make lather" videos.
This is exactly what I am looking for too. All the wide bowls for pucks don't come with lids and all the ones with lids are really tiny. I am frustrated. Did you ever come up with a solution on what to do with your soapy mug with the puck in it between shaves?
Who have time for this before going to work the morning
What’s the name of the song in the background?
I think it’s interesting that you spin clockwise.
0:23 - Why not just warm the brush in the soap mug or bowl if room permits?
How come this brush hasn’t been released?
Wastful Wastful. I didn't start shaving Until I was 20 but that was 55 years ago. I have always used mug, soap an brush. Use the brush to make the lather on your face not in a mug. You will get much better coverage and better softer whiskers.
Excellent!
Thank you!
So...do you rinse out the extra lather off of the puck after done?
My question as well. Also, do you leave the soap exposed to air so it will dry? My Proraso comes in a tub with a cover, cover off till dry, or back on to keep it moist? Mold issue?
The only time I have ever soaked or bloomed a puck is when it’s a hard puck like Tabac or Mitchels Wool Fat and only the first time and I have never used a separate bowl to develop a lather my whiskers did that. Converted well over 20 years ago.
Or you could stop wasting time and build the lather on your face, not in the bowl.
Like from me bud 👍
What a load of rubbish
Bowl Lather vs Face Lather
Which is better?
It’s a preference thing I prefer face lathering.
What was that!? How much water, amount of soap/cream, and lathering. No comment but nice music!? Not very helpful.
Very good.
Thanks dad
This neatly demonstrates something I've never understood: why are shaving brush handles so stubby and short? You have to pinch it with your fingers, and get your hand right in amongst the building lather. The long-handled shaving brush is a rare, but very desirable beast!
Why couldn't I build the lather in the soap dish? Wouldn't that be simpler than using a separate mug/bowl?
Buying a shaving foam will be much better choice than all this hassle
I agree.
That's why I only buy McDonald's as cooking food is too much of a hassle.
@@davedoessomestuff8176 Hell, I don't even hassle with buying McDonalds food, I just go straight to their dumpster. Who has time to order food nowadays. 🤣