How to Bowl Lather a Traditional Shaving Soap - A Tutorial 

There's way too many people in wet shaving that turn making lather into a complicated thing. They add oils, they microwave the soap they do this and that and it turns into an overly thought out waste of time. It's not rocket science it's just you learning how to develop lather. It's a really simple process.

Great video. I measure a level 1/8 tsp of soft shave soap and mash it into the bottom of my marble lathering bowl. I add 1 1/4 tsp of warm water. I then turn the water/soap mixture into a slurry. Then with a slightly damp brush, I rotate the slurry in a counterclockwise fashion, slowly at first, and it turns into an incredible lather in less than 2 minutes. I rarely have to add more water to the bowl. I have plenty of soap for a 3-pass shave plus a face wash. The reason I bowl lather, is I want to use the same amount of soap every time and I tend to use softer artisan soaps that don't lend themselves to tub loading. Once I get the lather onto my face, I continue to add water as needed to the brush, a few drops at a time. I work the lather with a vigorous "back and forth" motion to get even more lather production. It is the combination of bowl lathering and face lathering that allows me to extract so much lather with so little soap. A 4 oz. tub of shave soap will last me almost a year, shaving every other day.

Very good sir and I agree. You don't need to spend a ton of money on brushes and/or soaps to get a phenomenal shave. My best shaving brush has been my Starcraft Roswell 24mm synthetic from PAA which I got for $15 dollars. My 6 year old Omega 10049 Pro boar brush was and still is available for less than $10 dollars. In fact, I think all of my soaps that I have in my collection is less than $25 dollars. Derby is also a great alternative to Arko that has the same price point but a much better scent.

For anyone new: I got one of the $6 collapsible silicone bowls from Stirling last week and they kick butt. Lather explodes from whatever brush I'm using, just put a teaspoon of water or a squirt or 2 from the mister bottle in it and your good to go. I do load the brush from the puck BTW. I let the soap jar air out upside-down for at least 24 hrs before putting the lid back on to store it. Good luck to anyone new to bowl lathering and remember not to get upset or frustrated, and have fun. If you mess up just start over, no big deal 😎💈👍 Steve

@IAMCBD Awesome tutorial and breakdown of shaving soaps and lathering. I look forward seeing your other contents.

Honest question. Everyday shaving, do you actually bowl lather or mostly load a brush in the bowl? I guess what do you mostly do is the question.

I've been watching way too many of these videos. Last night I had a dream I used Williams mug soap to practice my lathering skills. I only got two shaves out of it. Dream or nightmare?

To all the new people reading this, I can tell you as an owner of a Simpson’s chubby 2 super I can confirm that its not worth it. You can get many great brushes for a great price as he said. I also own MDC and it’s also not worth it simply because it’s expensive and also it has no slickness whatever (for me at least).

How much soap do you add? Did you say 1/4 teaspoon?

Really good recommendations for bowls and brushes. Wonderful tutorial. Must see video for every wet shaver new or old. Thank you!

My only complaint of pressing soap in a bowl is sometimes u don't get all the soap out with agitation. Creams are best for that. I have had a couple times where there was a little left behind that didn't come out. So I only put creams in there so I don't have to worry about it.

Great tutorial, Chris. My favorite bowl is the Pereira , followed by the Timeless. I learned to shave from my Dad using Old Spice in a mug and his Fat Boy. Life interrupted and I got into Carts. Then I retired and decided to go back to traditional about 4 years ago and am loving it and having a blast spoiling myself. Have a safe and great week.

Maggards has the Timeless bowl in black for $12 today. It's always educational seeing someone else do something similar to what you do when making a product which in this case is lather. Everyone works differently and I'm fond of work smarter not harder. Any tips that help you get there is great.

Goddamn dude probably makes the best lather I've seen

Van Der Hagen hard puck soap 1.99 at my local grocery store

Totally agree, WALK AWAY ... that's a great way of putting that. Synths are sooooo much better than they were a few years back. I have some budget badgers that are nice...but those are my LUXURY items, even though they were cheap, i call them my LUXURY ones because they were a want and not a need by any means.

A helpful video! Thank you!

Great stuff, I’m working on my bowl lathering game and this was very helpful.

Even in France we feel like Martin de Candre is overpriced. Other french soapmakers are as good and not so expensive, like Le Père Lucien

It’s like “All roads eventually lead to… “CDB!” 😳😆😉 Thanks for yet another informative, to-the-point clip (video?)! 😁

That pareira bowl looks awesome. I reached out to WCS concerning shipping and taxes but import taxes for Europe are ridicules. You pay more on taxes and shipping then the item is worth. I’m jealous of the great products you have available in the US, great video Chris as always. Have a great day and shave. Greetings

I went to your bowl lathering method after i found out the the last of my Mudder Focker puck which I use 2x a week,, has hard as a rock. I never wanted for this to ever happen again. Now bowl lathering especially after a hard days work, releases a lot of tension for me. I am still having a little trouble dialing in just how much soap to put in the bowl. I almost have it. Now, Michael Freedberg is preaching against blooming as the water messes with the soap.

Ohhhh this was super helpful. I didn’t realize how little soap u actually pressed into the bottom of the bowl to gain so much lather

Thanks for the link, Sir!

Good post, Chris. I’ll have to give this method a go sometime. Like someone here previously said, I usually brush load directly from the puck and then take that product to the bowl. Creams? Yep. They’re getting scooped into the bowl directly. I always air dry my pucks afterward to prevent mold growth. This would make that unnecessary.

Very informative

Great tutorial Chris! What would you say is your absolute favourite bowl out of the ones you presented? I’m starting to favour bowl lathering myself lately.

Excellent video Chris. Lot's of detailed information for the new wet shaver or someone struggling with bowl lathering. I appreciate you recommending synthetic brushes over natural due to the ease of use. And also dismissing the snobbery that one needs expensive gear to shave.

Great tutorial. I've used creams so far and Will be using soap for the 1st time this weekend so very helpful👍

Great clarification between need and want. Thanks Chris, loved it.

That video will help the new too traditional wet shaving people. Good job bud. ( Keto)

do you scoop out triple milled soaps too, or just lather the puck?

What’s your method for scooping from the puck to your bowl? Do you still use those little cosmetic scrapers? I always just load my brush on the puck then lather on my face, but now I’m wondering if I’m shortening the life of my soaps by always introducing that bit of water when I load up.

First

Yesssss an uncooked meringue consistency. Incredible video brother

I would have like to have seen the old coffee mug lathering method cause that's a easy starter item great video by the way great job teaching us how to bowl lather

Cool man. My favorite bowl is from shave nation. Handle on the bottom

Excellent info. Thanks Chris. Have a great day.

Cris sent me to you good channel I'm staying :-)

Great looking lather there. Thanks for sharing the video, Chris.

Great video! This will help me

Awesome lather and great tutorial!

Amen

Fantastic video Chris. I prefer to face lather because it’s quicker but this technique works very well, I’ve used it a few times since you did your original tutorial a while back. 👍🏻

My products or choice are: Thiers Issard razor Porasso shaving cream, sandalwood Locally Hand made brush Captain’s Choice after shave, Bay Rum of Lime