When to use Hydrolast Activator...

[deck360degree]

Well - I finally received my Hydrolast Activator today after debating the buy and reading some general posts about the benefits. A couple questions still remain - After all of my reading I still could pinpoint the purpose of adding it to the wet mix (I enjoyed the rest of the products so much I figured if its made to benefit the shave I might as well give it a go). Is it to increase the slickness of the already slippery mix? When should I add the activator to the mix? Should I add it to the closed breach/open breach? Sorry for the elementary questions, but I figure asking the experts is the best way to ensure proper use. Thanks everyone! :D

-Paul

[Scorpio]

after you have made the slag add the paste. go back to the cube for a few more laps. With and open breach, add 2 to 3 squirts into the breach. Close the breach with your hand and proceed to make uber lather in your hand. I use it all the time. It is a great product. It will add volume and will make lather creamier. I usually do a double load of paste and then hit it with the activator and WOW unreal lather volume and creamy.

Mike adds about 5 squirts to his mix, but he has connections:D

Raf

[Queen of Blades]

I can't add anything to the conversation, except.........


Welcome to The Shave Den, Paul!

[Sejanus]

I can't add anything to the conversation, except.........


Welcome to The Shave Den, Paul!

+1 on that one, nothing to add but Welcome!

[IsaacRN]

What does the activator exactly do..and is it really necessary...

[mastermute]

Welcome to this wonderful place!

[deck360degree]

I've been reading the forum for so long without posting I didn't realize it was my first post! Thanks for the welcome and the wealth of knowledge you all contribute!!!

[Sejanus]

What does the activator exactly do..and is it really necessary...

Warning..warning.. stupid answer coming.

The Activator ACTIVATES.

Sheesh.

[IsaacRN]

Well......


I have the cube and the paste...but dont necessarily need the activator, thats why im wondering what it does exactly.

[GeNn]

I don't use the activator. I get excellent lather with the paste and cube. I do charge the brush with the cube for every pass though.

[msandoval858]

Well... about a year and a half ago Charles dropped a bottle of this stuff in my hand and told me to take it home and experiment. I've played with it enough to say for sure that it's one of the most versitile products out there.

First off: You don't NEED the activator. The whole reason it was developed was to help guys with brushes that weren't exactly designed for the Method Shaving routine to build a good wet mix more efficiently. Basicly a few shots of Activator in to the brush will greatly improve the time it takes for the brush to load up with a nice full amount of slag from the cube... or round, or whatever you're using. I've even tried it on Trumper and DR Harris soaps, and the stuff adds a little something to anything you later with your brush.

In addition to that, it also can make a really nice finishing product too, especially with the cube. At the end of your shave, when you've done your normal passes and want to get that little extra, take the cube and lather it in your hand, then put a couple of shots of Activator straight in to your palm. Rub that on to your face by hand and do your ATG or blade buffing on that... super slick doesn't even describe it.

If you're really crazy, get your brush nice and loaded up with cube slag then put about 4 or 5 shots of Activator in to it. Put the brush back to the cube and lather it up some more. Put that straight on your face with no paste. It will be runny and slimy but uber slick. Cut that with a fresh Feather...

Good times :cool:

[IsaacRN]

Thanks Mike :)