Well guys I think I've cracked it! (Not without the advice given here).
just had a shave, and OH MY this was the best shave I have had in my life and by far my best DE shave yet.
Hot shower, boar brush on soak, MWF untouched. Now, boar brush out, sqeezue out basically all of the water, give it a shake and load MWF for 30 secs. No soaking the soap or even dripping water on the top. Now I had a good ‘paste well into the brush', I proceeded to whip it up in the bowl for about a minute, ONLY adding a few drops of water from my fingertips twice. And here's the lather.
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Brushed onto face on top of some Proraso green pre shave cream, it stayed on my face until the razor went over, lovely and slick, more than enough for 2 passes and a touch up!
Finish off with a cold water rinse, then a splash of Proraso green, followed by Proraso liquid cream balm.
I feel like a new man.
I'm a lot happier now guys, thanks all, it's just going to be a case of honing the MWF lathering down to a fine art now. But I think I've got it!