To soak or not to soak...

...that is the question of traditional lather making.

There is a lot of talk about soaking: Should you do it? What brushes should you do it with? For how long? Hot, warm or cold water?

Personally I soak all my brushes, for about five to ten minutes, since then I have a consistent baseline to do a bit of contrast and compare. YMMV off course so if you are happy with just dunking yours in water before shaving, that is great as well.

Shave of the day 19th June

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Peppermint Soap
Lather: Lea shave stick
Brush: Omega 50014
Razors: Merkur 985CL travel razor with a Wilkinson Sword blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, tiny alum stick and Krampert's Finest Bay Rum

Travelling - but for once not on the Go

First impression of the Omega 50014 travel brush

Sometimes I'm on the Go, with the GoBag, other times I travel more leisurely and can bring more and other shave gear. It is for the later I invested in a Omega 50014 travel brush.

Being a travel brush, the 50014 comes with a tube to protect it while in on the go. The tube can also double as the handle while using the brush, but if you don't mind a slightly undersized handle you can just put it aside and not worry about it - I don't use the tube as a handle, since I tend to face lather when not at home (at home I'm a dyed-in-the-wool bowl latherer...)

I broke the brush in soon after getting it as per what seems to the recommended way; whipping up lather in my hand, then rinse and repeat. Letting it dry and then doing again a few times broke it in nicely, leaving me with a brush that is soft with plenty of backbone and just enough scritch for my tastes. Once broken in it behaves as a shaving brush should - ie.: it makes lather out of shaving creams and soaps, and helps you put the result on your face... in a most enjoyable way, off course.

The brush is a little on the small side, but that's not really an issue when face lathering - it still holds plenty enough for two passes and then some. Overall I'm quite satisfied with the Omega 50014 so far. If you're looking for a travel brush and don't mind it drying slower than a synth would, I suggest getting one of these.

Shave of the day 17th June

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Peppermint Soap
Lather: Lea shave stick and Arko Cool Mint Cream
Brush: Omega 50014
Razors: Merkur 985CL travel razor with a Wilkinson Sword blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, tiny alum stick and Krampert's Finest Bay Rum

Travelling - but for once not on the Go

Shave of the day 14th June

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Orange Soap
Lather: Prairie Creations Walters Shaving Soap
Brush: Semogue TSN LE 2012
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a ASCO Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum, and Krampert's Finest LE 80 Below

Shaving videos

My favorite wetshaving forum has it's own YouTube channel - why not check it out?

Plenty of instructive videos, lots of tips to pick up.

Shave of the day 12th June

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Orange Soap
Lather: Mike's Natural Lime
Brush: Vie Long 14033
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a ASCO Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum, and Krampert's Finest Bay Rum