soon gonna try this for the first time with a brush etc and literally realized i know absolutely NOTHING will be omega 636 silvertip brush, either speick or tobs for first shave, and my 5-blade "normal" razor? how long do i soak the brush for before using? hotter the water the better? after the shave just rinse it off? wring it out? squeeze water out? will that damage the hair and the knot? just shake it off and hang it up? i have seen videos of lathering in the bowl, tempted to just put a small dollop of cream on the brush directly and then lather it right on the face by brushing...isn't that part of the awesomeness of the brush to use it on the skin? Thoughts on lathering right on the face? It seems almost everyone uses a bowl or a mug so I certainly don't think I know better considering I know that I know nothing hahah. Thanks for any advice!
No need to pre soak a badger. If it's new however, it may stink, especially when wet. All that other stuff you wrote? We call it face lathering. It's a very common practice. Enjoy.
You really do not have to soak the brush. You don't need hot water either. Just wet the brush for a few seconds and squeeze gently. I swish my brush in the TOBS about three swirls and then go straight to the face to make my lather. It is very simple. You can make it more complicated if you like, but building the lather on your face saves time and feels great. When you are done, rinse the brush really good, squeeze it and then dry it on a towel with painting motions. Set it aside to dry with the hair up. It is ok to hang it, but that is not necessary. Just do not put it in an enclosed area. It will dry out over night and be ready for the shave next day.
As for hotter the better...you want hot water for warm lather, but if you go too hot, the lather will collapse and be next to useless. That temperature is just short of boiling. Use the same temperature water you would use in a really hot bath or shower.
As for "normal 5 blade razor" it's time to join the DE or SE world (injector) razor world. You've come to the right place. Cue in The Imperial March.
It doesn't get much better than having a warm brush and face lathering....or so I've been told Then go out and get yourself a "real" razor and have some cookies