March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

You are the master on cool filters. Great job.

 

It is a great looking brush. In the picture, at least to the color blind fellow, it looks like the only item in color. The rest seems like a B&W shot. It really makes the brush pop.

 

Lovely photo and beautiful brush, Ben.

 

Thank you!

 

Jared,
I bowl lather. Today when creating lather was a bit of an issue, I squeezed the knot and a huge amount of water came pouring out. Without exaggeration, 1/2 - 1 ounce isn't too far off. The tips were paste covered when loaded but maybe they were thinned more than expected with the dribble I placed on the puck. Combined, it made a liquidy mess like cream. Adding more soap finally made it work. I think I will try not adding water to the soap and see how it all works out. Outside of that, any other suggestions? I have had this work well before. It just isn't regular. Also, it seems the cheaper brushes are easier at making lather than this one.

 

@Fly2High

When you say pasty mass, this is what I think of:





That is the closest knot I have to yours. (likely a Virginia Sheng or Whipped Dog silvertip, 22mm) It was shaken twice, loaded with Stirling, and is ready for face or bowl lathering. It is still gonna need a LOT of water.

 

Beautiful photo Andrew. What is the loft on the knot above the handle?

 

I feel the need to grab my brush and lather up my face! Nice shot of a loaded brush!

 

The stones in the tray are really tumbled and come of almost matt finished so it makes everything pop. The bright light didn't help. The tips were much whiter than I expected so I was looking for a dark background to capture the whiteness.

 

I will have to check when I get home.

 

That will make more than enough lather for a 3 pass shave and touch ups.

 

If it is 24mm diameter as it exits the handle the 48mm above the handle would be where I would start. I will say I like scrub and backbone so adjust for personal preference.

 

Check out this video. I am not endorsing anything about how he makes lather, if for no other reason than he beats the hell out of his brushes, but look at how much water you can throw at Stirling all at once. Admittedly he has enough soap in that bowl for 62 passes, but it illustrates the point. He starts lathering a little before the two minute mark.

 

OK, not nearly that much. I do have some clumping of tips but much less product. Based on thosde photos, I am not loading enough. I will look like that once I start building in the bowl. Today, it looked like my brush was rinsed under water before hitting the bowl compared to that.

this is what it resembles :

 

"protolather"

 

Most lathering problems come down to not enough product or not enough water. Looks like you need more product. Load the stuff like it owes you money and is 90 days past due. Better to have too much lather. You can always dial the load amount back once you get the process down.

 

Razor: AlumiGoose V1
Blade: Kai Titan Mild (10)
Brush: H.L. Thater Funf TSN LE Butterscotch Beehive 2 Band 5th Anniversary
Soap: Route 66 Frozen Margarita
Aftershave: Route 66 Frozen Margarita

Very good 3 pass shave tonight. The H.L. Thater Funf TSN LE Butterscotch Beehive 2 Band 5th Anniversary is working out very well.

 

Just for clarity: You have seen the "dribbling faucet" video. Regardless of how I finish a lather, I almost always start out that way. The pictures I showed are after going to the puck, then passing under the faucet, then back to the puck probably four times. The only problem a guy can ever have starting out with two much soap is ending up with too much lather.

Stirling is also a mixed bag when it comes to easy lathering. It is not explosive, nor does it jump into your brush. That means (for me) more time on top of the puck. What makes it great is that you pretty much cannot kill it with too much water. It will literally get so runny that it won't stay on your face before it will dissipate. It is not the fastest to build a great lather, but it is likely the most forgiving.

 

I love the way the brush pops against the background.

 

Thanks very much Clint. I am very happy with this brush. The handle is a perfect fit for the hand and the 2 Band knot is a work of art. Wonderful soft tips with excellent backbone.