Overrated! or Things that never worked for you that others deem necessary.

I have to say BadDad... That is one, bad (in a good way) beard . I wish I could grow one like that .

Hmmm. Maybe I should be more careful with my definitions of "dense" and "cushion". I can see SMN being a bit more dense than some, but it still doesn't seem to create a lot of visual volume (if that makes sense).

I make all of my lathers dense without a lot of visual volume. At least as long as the soap can do it. If it can't, then it's out.

Hmmm. Maybe I should be more careful with my definitions of "dense" and "cushion". I can see SMN being a bit more dense than some, but it still doesn't seem to create a lot of visual volume (if that makes sense).

I make all of my lathers dense without a lot of visual volume. At least as long as the soap can do it. If it can't, then it's out.

In that case, I should clarify - I don't see the need for visually voluminous lather (you know, the lather beards that create mounds of lather falling off the face). Dense is essential for good in-shave performance, and often for slickness in particular.

Thanks for helping me distinguish between these two points . This was very helpful.

Without cushion (and I think all soaps/creams can be lathered without cushion) I cannot get a good shave regardless of how slick it is. And cushion has never hindered me from obtaining a close shave. I mean really, it's a metal razor up against some suds. That's like man vs train. Train wins all day, everyday.

Cushion is most likely a poor word to use for this. I prefer to think of it as density and the ability for the lather to hold moisture where I need it. A thin, slick lather will still give me weepers, nicks, and irritation (no-low cushion) while a dense lather (high cushion) can give me flawless results.

Great explanation Brian! I agree that cushion isn't the best term, but I always get a kick out of hearing others try to justify why cushion isn't necessary and that slickness is all that matters. Of course in praising cushion we aren't trying to advocate for a lather that doesn't allow the blade to come into contact with the skin, that's just crazy talk! But as you mentioned Brian, thick lather (NOT VOLUMINOUS!!!) that is well hydrated allows the moisture needed to produce great slickness to be retained on the skin and available during the shave, while simultaneously providing a comfortable shaving experience. Give me thick, well hydrated lather applied thinly on the face (herein we have both slickness, and cushion/protection/comfort...whatever you want to call it) and I am a happy man!

"In fact, most often all I use is razor + water with no other product at all, and I get great shaves!"

I trust you are that happy, hirsute fella on the left in your avatar photo, Chris.

Yes, I am the bald guy with the beard in the left of my photo. The other person is my 11 year old daughter.

However, I am not the one that said I get good shaves with just water. The thought actually sends a shiver down my spine...

Hehe, that was Len

Re: "slickness", "cushion"

From my perspective, slipperiness, and cushion (i.e. barrier between skin and blade), are two concepts that - at a certain point - overlap each other.

Low viscosity substances (e.g. water), yield little resistance (i.e. high slipperiness), but, also yield high friction (low cushion). On the other hand, high viscosity substances (e.g. honey), offer great protection/lubrication (i.e. low friction), but little in the way of slipperiness (due to high resistance/viscosity).

The way I see it, the ideal shaving medium is one which yields low resistance, yet protects against friction. I think this is why soap is such a good substance to work with. Soap has the ability to create - when combined with water - a combination (aka lather), which creates little resistance (due to water), and offers protection (due to suspended fats).

A “dense” and ideal lather, to me, is one which is heavy (per volume) - but, much of that weight must be in the form of water. In other words, the lather must be super hydrated.

I'm so glad that I'm a feel guy, if I like it I, use it. I kind if feel bad for people that over analyze every aspect of their lives, that has to be exhausting.

I kind if feel bad for people that over analyze every aspect of their lives, that has to be exhausting.

I can't speak for those "people" but speaking for myself, who's been into wetshaving for >15 years, and happens to have an extensive background in science, the dynamics of lather has crossed my mind.

More power to you! I don't mind other people doing the leg work, lol....

Thanks for analyzing ask4Edge! Your post was interesting and quite helpful . I'm just starting to understand the mechanical differences here, and this will certainly help in future product reviews.

Clearly a scientific, analytical background is an advantage when it comes to understanding this hobby and its mechanics. I appreciate your post and its detail.