What am I doing wrong? Wool Fat.... New to DE

Hi all, new here and new to DE shaving as well. About 2 weeks in, started when I saw a Wilkson Sword classic in Tesco's with the wilkinson soap and brush etc...

Had a couple of shaves with that and really enjoyed the smooth shave, and 'man time' experience. So I done some research and splashed out on a Merkur 34c, some nice blades, an expensive Parker silver tip badger brush and some Mitchells Wool Fat soap. (And a lot of Proraso after shave+liquid creme....).

Now no matter how many videos I watch, guides I read... I cannot produce the thick mountainous cloud of lather on my face. No amount of soaking the soap, loading, swirling, bit more water, bit less water etc seems to make a difference.

I have read that its not the easiest soap to lather, I am in a very hard water area as well.... But surely there is a way to get this right?

Out of curiousity I tried a regular Proraso boar brush this evening, new out of box, just a quick soak, and loading then working the wool fat with this much stiffer brush was producing a different, almost creamy like consistency immediately.... Not great but I think the brush needs a good long soak and few goes to break in. Does this soap need a stiff brush?

Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the best shaves I have ever had... However my wool fat lather is weak compared to all the videos I watch, and it quickly dissapears from my face.

Any advice?
Get rid of the Mitch Wool Fat its crap. Some people like to brag on here that they can work up a lather with it by some devious trickery but why waste your time when you can buy vastly superior soaps which lather beautifully for eg Wickhams
 
Get rid of the Mitch Wool Fat its crap. Some people like to brag on here that they can work up a lather with it by some devious trickery but why waste your time when you can buy vastly superior soaps which lather beautifully for eg Wickhams
It's crap in your opinion. There's no trickery or arcane knowledge in getting a lather with it. Granted, I don't think it deserves the Holy Grail status it seems to be afforded in certain quarters. It's a perfectly decent soap. But (that's) just my opinion.
 
Can't make it work. Tried everything. More water, less water, dry brush, wet brush, bloomed puck, dry puck. One trouser leg rolled up to just past the knee while balanced on one leg chanting incantations to the dark lord Satan. No joy. Gave up. Just not worth the effort. I live in Scotland and have extremely soft water also. Bought haslinger sheepsmilk instead. So much easier to deal with.
 
Tried both synthetic and my semogue boar. Even tried a scritchy old badger I had but no good. It's just not for me I'm afraid. I obviously don't have the magic touch for the fat. Shame as it's a slippery bugger.

With all due respect, it probably is you. I used to have water harder than a whore's heart and it worked perfectly for me. Soak ("bloom") the puck in hot water at your sink while you shower and load with a synthetic for 10 - 15 secs. Use a DAMP synthetic, not dripping wet!! Add water to the brush as needed while face lathering. If that doesn't work then pack your bags, kiss the wife & kids good bye and check into a group home for the infirm. ;)
 
Can't make it work. Tried everything. More water, less water, dry brush, wet brush, bloomed puck, dry puck. One trouser leg rolled up to just past the knee while balanced on one leg chanting incantations to the dark lord Satan. No joy. Gave up. Just not worth the effort. I live in Scotland and have extremely soft water also. Bought haslinger sheepsmilk instead. So much easier to deal with.
What's actually happening? You must be getting lather of some sort or another?
 
What's actually happening? You must be getting lather of some sort or another?
Getting good slickness but just not getting the cushion I get from other soaps. Thinking I'm maybe adding too much water thinking about it now. Will need to break it out again and try a few test lathers. I get a lather just seems a bit thin and dissipates quickly.
 
Getting good slickness but just not getting the cushion I get from other soaps. Thinking I'm maybe adding too much water thinking about it now. Will need to break it out again and try a few test lathers. I get a lather just seems a bit thin and dissipates quickly.
The way it works for me (and I'm not suggesting this is the universal way forward) is to thoroughly wet your brush with cold water (I use synthetics). Then gently squeeze out the water, to leave a damp brush. I don't bloom any of my soaps.

Throughly wet face (I'm a cold water shaver; but each to their own). Swirl the damp brush 20-30 times to get the stuff on the brush. Just on the tips; none of this ‘load it like you hate it' nonsense. Then start lathering onto your wet face. If, after about a minute or two it's still dissipating get some more soap on. Too thick? Dip the tips of the brush into water and keep trying. I promise you, you'll get there.

I should stress that I adopt this for all my puck soaps.
 
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