Thread: Marbles to mix with?

After reading all the posts about people wishing they could add something to their mugs or scuttles to aid in building lather I was wondering if it would be possible to add something to the lather that would do the same thing. Sort of like the beads they put in cans of spray paint. Would dropping in a couple of marbles help? I think they would be heavy enough to stay in the bottom of the mug and they would not stick to the brush. They're cheap too.

Lori

I'm not sure what marbles would do. Building lather isn't really difficult and with a little practice and the right water soap combination if you have decent soap you should have all the lather you can use. I always thought the beads in the paint can were to give you an auditory cue the stuff was properly ready for spraying and not gunked up inside.

Originally Posted by LoriB

After reading all the posts about people wishing they could add something to their mugs or scuttles to aid in building lather

I ran a search but didn't see these. I am wondering what sort of aid they are looking for

I would try it and let you know; unfortunately I lost my marbles a long time ago.

Originally Posted by HNSB

I would try it and let you know; unfortunately I lost my marbles a long time ago.

LOL!

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I ran a search but didn't see these. I am wondering what sort of aid they are looking for

Something to make the glazed surface uneven. I haven't actually tried it but they seem to believe it helps fluff up the lather more. I think it's kind of odd because when I whip cream (the kind you eat not the kind you shave with) I use a bowl that is smooth inside. Still I am curious about their logic.

Lori

my first post in a while. In past experiments, I've put and ice cube in my scuttle to aid in some sub zero temp lather. (I prefer cold shaving) The effect of having a solid object in the scuttle I found, was perhaps damaging to the brush. I felt it mashed the bristles up and feared after long term would kill my brush, so I stopped. I agree with the Big Spender, with a good soap and proper water ratio, one should get lather just fine the old fashioned way.

I'm skeptical about the use of marbles (or the such) too. If aeration is a concern you'd be best off with a lather bowl with ridges on the inside surface.

And if you want something on the cheap with ridges, go to an Asian market. Most of them sell ridged bowls that are almost the perfect size.

I make my lather in a ridged-bottom soap dish. Works very well.

Thing about making lather is that after the first year or three, you stop paying much attention to it.

I mean, there are basically only a few key variables: water, product, brush action. It becomes pretty easy to see what you should increase if the need arises.

FWIW, I use boar or badger in a large, smooth mug. I don't even make great lather every time - it's just not necessary.

[/wet blanket]