When using a soft soap like sterling, do you gents or gals more often face lather or bowl lather? I keep having a little difficulty getting the water right for the bowl and I'm wondering if face blathering is fool proof
I prefer a bowl lather (with soaps or creams). Sure, it requires a little more time than a face lather, but for me it's worth it. In my experience, if all other factors (soap being used, time loading the brush, or which brush I use) are equal, I find bowl lathering works best for me. Others here will have a different experience than mine; therefore, they will have a different preference than mine. But for me, I find that bowl lathering ensures I have more than enough lather for a three-pass shave plus a cleanup pass (if necessary).
In winter I prefer using a scuttle to lather and to keep it warm. In a bowl I make more lather than directly on face. However, when face- lather I get the feeling it really helps soften up the stubble
I have had my best luck with face lathering, even with soft soaps like Stirling. I've never had consistent success with bowl lathering. I likely don't want to take the time to make a decent bowl lather. I can feel and hear it when the face lather is right.
Same here. I just don't like face lathering. And I could be wrong, but I doubt any of the gals you inquire about face lather.
I've been mostly bowl lathering. I have a bunch of samples I am trying, and they pretty much need to bowl lather. I am starting with straights, using the 'baseball' pattern of only lathering one section at a time, so it doesn't dry out. It's nice to have a bunch of lather all made up in a bowl already. But if I don't make enough going back to the soap is a bit more difficult.
I mostly bowl lather... That's what I did my first time with some Bigelow cream and it worked great for me. Every now and then I'll face lather (when I had an arko stick, when I'm running short of time, etc). But mainly bowl... Just my process as I'm still getting everything down pat
I use a scuttle to warm my brush. I load and then set the brush in the bowl while I wet my face and get the razor stropped or blade inserted the face lather. I will add trickles of water to the brush as necessary.
I started with face lathering and boar brushes. Then I got an OS mug, a suribachi, & a badger brush. More bowl than face lathering now. My bowl lathering skills improved when I used more product.
Until about 1.5 years ago I hardly ever face lathered. I stated doing it during a 30 day rule and have stuck with it ever since. I believe it is much easier to get the water ratio perfect when face lathering than with a bowl.