Howdy. I've been a lurker here for a long time, so I figured it was probably time to make a brief intro.

I've been shaving on and off with an SR for the past year or so. Thanks to gugi, I got my start with a nice 5/8 Heljestrand wedge. The addiction to Swedish steel took hold and I ended up with another Heljestrand, a lovely 6/8 half-hollow with ivory scales.

My first shave was tedious, but surprisingly successful. No blood, nor much irritation, although I did a WTG pass and then used a high-quality disposable to clean it up and get nice and smooth.

Over the past year, I've been trying to wean myself off of using another razor to finish the job, and progressed to the point where I could do WTG and XTG. ATG still eludes me, and I wonder if it's just that it's simply going to take some time for my skin to get used to it.

In terms of taking an opportunity to ask for specific advice, I'll do that by asking y'all how you deal with hard water. I've had nothing but problems producing a good lather from day 1. I have a great brush, a Plisson #12 in european white badger, and I've been a devoted user of Jorunn's Fitjar shaving creams. I just can't get a good, explosive foamy lather. What can I do to mitigate the effects of hard water? Should I try a different cream, like "The Bomb"? Distilled water? Any constructive advice is appreciated.