Welcome!

Welcome to the Badger Blog! We hope to be able to provide lots of helpful information and look backs at vintage style shaving. But before we get started, maybe you want to know a little more about us?

We are Matthew and Sandra, a husband and wife team. The idea for Badger Lather Shave Co. started several months ago when Matthew started looking around for better shaving products for his very sensitive skin. I (Sandra) also have sensitive skin, so I was completely on board with finding an alternative to the shaving creams and gels we commonly found at the grocery or drug store. After some trial and error, we came up with the formula that is now Badger Lather Shave Soap, and put together a couple kits as Christmas gifts for some family members. They loved the look and feel of the kits, but more importantly, they loved the product as much as we do.

Here we are several months later, and we are so excited to share our products with you!

One of the most common questions we are asked is “Where in the world did you come up with the name Badger Lather?” I’m not joking when I say it took weeks for us to agree on a name that made sense for shaving products (shaving brushes are made from the hair of a badger) but that also sounded catchy and had a little bit of quirkiness to it.

We have several ideas for things that will hopefully be coming soon, so please keep checking back for new products and supplies. Also, we can NOT succeed without you, our friends and family, so please feel free to share our page and tell everyone you know about Badger Lather Shave Co.!

Thank you!

~Sandra

Frequently Asked Questions

What do WTG, XTG, and ATG mean? “With the Grain” “Across the Grain” and “Against the Grain”

Do I really need to use the shave oil? The shave oil is what coats and protects your skin, to give you the closest possible shave. Without it you may cut or nick yourself more easily.

What is the purpose of aftershave? Aftershave contains a pretty high amount of alcohol, which acts as an antiseptic (if you happen to cut yourself) and helps to close your pores after you shave.

How do I determine the “grain” of my facial hair? This is best done if you have 2-3 days of growth. Spend a few moments rubbing your beard with your fingers. The direction that feels the most rough is Against the Grain (ATG). The direction that feels the most smooth is With the Grain (WTG). Keep in mind that your beard can grow in several different directions, so you will need to pay attention to your entire beard area to get familiar with your individual grain pattern.

I’ve never shaved before. Can you help me? Yes! Please see our “Shaving Basics” section.

I don’t like any of the fragrances you offer. Will you come out with any new ones? We will try to introduce new fragrances periodically, but if there is something specific you’re looking for send us a message! Not every request will be able to be fulfilled, but we promise to do our very best!

How do I order? You can order at BadgerLather.Etsy.com.

I have a question you didn’t address here. Please send us a message at BadgerLather@gmail.com . We would love to hear from you and will answer your questions as quickly as possible!

General How To

1. Start by running water over the surface of your shave soap, just enough to get it completely wet.
2. Set the soap aside and pour a dime-sized amount of shave oil into your palm. Rub your hands together then massage the oil into the area to be shaved.
3. (If you’re using the bowl/brush type) Work your shave brush in the bowl in smooth circles until you have a thick layer of lather on top of the soap and throughout the entire brush. Lather it onto your face then go to #5.
4. (If you’re using a puck of shave soap) Work up a slight lather on the bar, then rub it all over your shaving area and lather it up with your hands.
5. Shave WTG -> XTG -> XTG -> and finally ATG. Rinse.
6. After you’re done shaving, dry off your face and apply aftershave.

Razor Tips

1. Change your razor blade often to ensure you get the closest, safest shave possible.
2. If you shave in the shower, try not to store your razor in the shower. This dulls your blade more quickly.
3. After you shave, clean the blades with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol then dry your entire razor thoroughly. The alcohol will remove any buildup of your shaving products, and sanitize the blade after you’ve used it.

Shaving Basics

1. Start by determining the grain of your beard (or area to be shaved). Keep in mind that the grain pattern may vary, so you will need to spend some time getting familiar with your hair in every area.
2. Using Badger Lather shave oil puts a coating on your skin before the shave soap, to help protect you against cuts and nicks.
3. The first “pass” should go “With the Grain” (WTG) of your hair (which way feels smoothest when you rub your hand on the hair?)
4. Your second and third passes should go “Across the Grain” (XTG) first one way, then the opposite way.
5. Your final pass should go “Against the Grain” (ATG) and should be directly opposite the way your hair grows (which way feels roughest when you rub your hand on the hair?) This pass has the most potential to irritate your skin and if you have just started shaving you will want to introduce this pass slowly.