B&M Reserve

Had my first use of this soap base today and I must say I’m blown away. I’ve always considered myself to suck at lathering, but using this stuff seemed like a breeze. Can’t wait to try some more of the scents.

What type of brush did you use? Did you load pretty light in comparison to some of your other soaps?

What type of brush did you use? Did you load pretty light in comparison to some of your other soaps?

I used the Big Bruce synthetic. I actually made the mistake of blooming the soap and then loading heavy. I got a paste for about the first minute of lathering, but once I finally got enough water it the soap it was like nothing before. I’m going to give jt a go tomorrow with my Simpsons Commodore XL, but this stuff seems to work well. I had read it’s made for hard water, hopefully that’s true and it wasn’t just a one hit wonder I had today.

What type of brush did you use? Did you load pretty light in comparison to some of your other soaps?

I used the Big Bruce synthetic.  I actually made the mistake of blooming the soap and then loading heavy.  I got a paste for about the first minute of lathering, but once I finally got enough water it the soap it was like nothing before.  I’m going to give jt a go tomorrow with my Simpsons Commodore XL, but this stuff seems to work well.  I had read it’s made for hard water, hopefully that’s true and it wasn’t just a one hit wonder I had today.

I remember initially many people loading the Reserve base in a similar fashion and duration as they would do a normal shave soap. Many of them found that it was simply too much product for how much water was needed and that they had some success with simply loading for a shorter amount of time and then to hydrate as necessary.

Synthetics aren't my favorite to use with thirsty soaps but that doesn't mean they don't work very well for me or that I don't find them luxurious. I seem to prefer the flow of making lather with a badger knot vs synthetic but I would say give it another shot using the Big Bruce again.

Not sure why, but twice i had not-a-very-slick lather for the first pass, however the density and condition of lather was visually same as with other soaps. Face lathered with synthetic brush.
Maybe the lather with reserve should be made as a more runny \ not so covering ?

If you’re not getting a slick shave with the reserve base then you aren’t adding enough water. It’s not a dry cushiony lather when done correctly, it’s a thick, slick, shiny, yogurty lather.

I find it’s better when it’s loaded for less time than other soaps. Definitely doesn’t need to be bloomed and needs a lot of water. Over loading will require a lot more time and water to get it away from the stringy gummy lather that is created from too much of the soap and not enough water.

B&M Reserve is such a fantastic soap... for me, it really does blow the Glissant base out of the picture...

B&M Reserve is such a fantastic soap... for me, it really does blow the Glissant base out of the picture...

That's funny because I just posted the exact opposite in another thread. I'm just glad Will makes them both.