Question about Proraso Green

Been using this soap/cream for about four months now, love the scent, the menthol in it is amazing, and for the price I have to say that it is a decent number to keep in the den, but this soap has been giving me all kinds of trouble drying down and I can't tell if it is simply the amount of water or if it is simply the nature of this soap...I have tried varying the water content without success but I also am never in the same state from day to day so it might have something to do with the water hardness? Any tips or tricks or experiences shared would be lovely and I thank you in advance

The green is one of my all-time favorites. It can be a bit picky, so I face-lather it. I put some hot water on top for a few minutes, pour it off. Dip the tips of my dry brush in water and go at it swirling around. I probably dip the tips a few more times in the process. Dip the tips again and give it a workout on the face. Dip the tips again as-needed. Too much water or a soaked brush will spoil it, IMO.
After I get the brush loaded with lather (not water!) I can get 3 pleasant passes, no sweat.

Try using bottled water to get some consistency out of your mix, having the best water there is here in memphis , I get great lather with just about anything,Meece MDC only takes about 6-8 swirls, but when I was working over in west Texas it was tough to get anything good ,, started using my bottle water , so very consistent from then on no matter where I am. Tc

I have actually never had a problem with the green, it's my go to soap. My hard water issues tend to give me grief with MWF & Klar, but never Proraso. Try adding a little bit more water to it, Proraso can handle quite a bit.

Hmm...definitely hadn't considered those options before, thanks fellas, I'm looking forward to giving it a shot when it comes up in my rotation again, I really want to love this soap, it's priced wonderfully and I love the scent, hopefully those tips fix my lathering issue

Indeed, it is not as picky as some, yet too much water spoils the game. Tossing the brush in water starts you off bad.
A friend of mine, Benji Franklin, always says; 'A brush which is sodden with water shall accept no lather'.
Says it all the time! ;)

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Originally Posted by 18WheelsOfSteel

Hmm...definitely hadn't considered those options before, thanks fellas, I'm looking forward to giving it a shot when it comes up in my rotation again, I really want to love this soap, it's priced wonderfully and I love the scent, hopefully those tips fix my lathering issue

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Ya, just don't give up with it, should be really easy to foam over the mug.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Indeed, it is not as picky as some, yet too much water spoils the game. Tossing the brush in water starts you off bad.
A friend of mine, Benji Franklin, always says; 'A brush which is sodden with water shall accept no lather'.
Says it all the time! ;)

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Now do you mean to not soak the brush before, or do you mean to soak it and then shake it out, but not dipping it back into water after? I always soak my brush, and then shake the excess off.

Good question...I've always been told that not soaking the brush for a few minutes before using it is bad for the brush, admittedly I own only an inexpensive pair (Badger and a Boar) but until I manage to display the discipline to save up for a nicer one I sure don't want to damage the ones I've got

I never soak a brush. Takes all the character/abilities/stiffness out and makes for a floppy mess, as-soaked.
Cannot understand why a lot toss it into the water before shaving. may as well use a wet rope, IMO/

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I never soak a brush. Takes all the character/abilities/stiffness out and makes for a floppy mess, as-soaked.
Cannot understand why a lot toss it into the water before shaving. may as well use a wet rope, IMO/

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Never tried that.:thinking:
Going to give it a go next shave with Proraso Green. So you squeeze out your cream and cover it with hot water in the cup, pour that off and start to work up your lather from dry..
Just mad enough to try.
Cheers.

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I never soak a brush. Takes all the character/abilities/stiffness out and makes for a floppy mess, as-soaked.
Cannot understand why a lot toss it into the water before shaving. may as well use a wet rope, IMO/

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Yes, just swish it in the water, a good shake or two and start loading from the puck. For creams a little on the end of the brush and away you go to the bowl or face. Then add a little water as you build the lather in a bowl or on your face.

A couple of years ago when I first started SR shaving I read about soaking a brush and thought I had been doing it wrong all these many years so I tried the soaking routine. What a disaster for me so went back to the old swish and go ways.

Bob

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

I never soak a brush. Takes all the character/abilities/stiffness out and makes for a floppy mess, as-soaked.
Cannot understand why a lot toss it into the water before shaving. may as well use a wet rope, IMO/

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I was under the impression it was to warm the brush up. You make an excellent point though.

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Originally Posted by Firefighter2

I was under the impression it was to warm the brush up. You make an excellent point though.

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I don't think warming the brush up matters too much, been using cold water for a couple of years now. If it is for getting a warm lather then a scuttle is much more effective for that purpose.

Bob

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Originally Posted by MikeB52

Never tried that.:thinking:
Going to give it a go next shave with Proraso Green. So you squeeze out your cream and cover it with hot water in the cup, pour that off and start to work up your lather from dry..
Just mad enough to try.
Cheers.

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HA! No, I was referring to the soap in the green tub. I would not think the procedure with the cream from the tube would go like that. I have never used it, myself.
I think Bob's technique sounds right!