Feels like shaving dry

[Neckbone]

I'm using Tabac and Proraso soaps worked up in a scuttle. However, the razor feels like it is shaving dry skin. I have the constant desire to splash water onto my face to counteract the feeling.
The shaves are fine as well as the skin when finished.
These soaps are quality and therefore I wouldn't think at fault.
Any ideas?

[jhenry]

Neckbone,

I have found that soaps tend to dry out faster than creams. Combining two soaps, even those of high quality like Tabac and Proraso, won't alter that.

You might try adding a a bit more water to your lather as you shave or some glycerin to the lather.

Just my 2 cents...

[Neckbone]

Sorry about the confusion; those are two soaps I use, not mixed.
I have tried juicier and dryer lathers without improvement.
Could these two soaps be known for that characteristic?

[jhenry]

Neckbone,

Thanks for clearing up that confusion up on my part.

Not that I know of...Although I have had that experience with both soaps.

I still think you should try adding more water and/or some glycerin to your lather.

[BobH]

Sorry about the confusion; those are two soaps I use, not mixed.
I have tried juicier and dryer lathers without improvement.
Could these two soaps be known for that characteristic?

I use both these soaps and have not had that problem with them. For me Tabac is the better of the two as it is made with tallow IIRC and is a bit slicker if anything. I do not think these two soaps are know for this particular problem you are having. You have tried different levels of hydration with these so I am stumped.

Bob

[MJC]

How long does it take to make a pass?
Is your beard wet/damp just before you apply lather?
Have you tried the "lather, 30 second face massage, remove and re-lather" trick/system?
I use both of these soaps, most of the time face lathering with great results.
But when I started out (less than 100 shaves) many times the lather would loose its moisture by the time I "got there".

+1 to the suggestions of more water and glycerin

Smooth shaving....soon.

[john3126]

I have had what I think is a similar experience with Proraso and other soaps. This morning I lathered a sample of Mike's Vetiver with an excess of water. First pass was fine but second and third pass had a distinctive dry or sticky feeling. Even so this morning's shave was one of the smoothest I have had in a while. Since this has happened with other soaps and razors I am thinking it may have something to do with the cycling of my water softener.

[Anthony1954]

Funny, I hadn't used the Proraso soap for a while until yesterday and I thought it lacked glide. Maybe due to it's age, then mines over 2 years old. Or could be water hardness, we've moved from a soft water area to a hard water one. I'll try again tomorrow and add a teaspoon of citric acid to the sink, which I've stopped doing recently, just forgot.

[Sic4531]

I used to have the same issue. I found that using hot water to lather, or setting a bowl in hot water, and especially a scuttle, causes the water in the lather to evaporate faster, even after it's on your face. Generally I only cool water lather. Never have a problem now. I have a three soap pucks of different brands, two tubs of proraso soaps, and a tube of every scent they make
I'm a proraso cream fanatic. Try using luke warm or cool water. Another thing to try with the proraso tub is to scrape some of the soap out with your finger, about a dime or nickle size, and drop it in your bowl; lather like a cream. If all else fails, start working the lather in the bowl or scuttle for about 10 seconds or so, then finish the lather on your face. When you want to relather, just add a little water (several drops at a time) to the scuttle and work it again with the brush. Dip the bristles of the brush a little in water if needed too.