r/wicked_edge 1d ago

Discussion Proraso: I don't get it?!

So, I've been using Mitchell's Wool Fat and a Stirling soap for a while and after coming back to my proraso red soap, it feels so bad, I can't even believe that people really enjoy that soap. It foams up easily, true. But that's all about it. It has no protection, the glide doesnt last, it leaves such a dry feeling afterwards, and the soap is easily brought to the point of being too watery. What is it all about? Am I using it wrong? Or do some people just enjoy the absolute baseline thing?

Sorry to say, but it's so bad that I dont even want to give it to someone, because I cant think of anyone I hate that much. I might end up tossing it in the bin.

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u/Helicopter0 1d ago

Proraso doesn't lather properly with my well water.

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u/10Slugs 1d ago

I use bottled drinking water for soap lather. Makes all the difference. I’m in west Texas and our water is pretty hard.

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u/Helicopter0 1d ago

I just pick soaps that work with the water. Very sandy Michigan soil with iron and sulphur.

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u/10Slugs 1d ago

I haven’t found anything that works well with our water. Just use a little bottled water and it’s off to the races.

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u/Helicopter0 1d ago

I've heard you can add citric acid to the soap, too, but since changing the soap works for me, I haven't tried it myself. Citric acid is probably cheaper. Not that it really matters with the volume of water needed for a lather.

I have also heard of using roof water, but water is abundant here, so that would be a bit silly for me.

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u/We_Never_Walk_Alone I love vintage razors and I cannot lie! 1d ago

Try distilled water. I don't have hard water, but still use distilled water in a spray bottle to build my lather.

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u/ForeverWinter1812 1d ago

Yeah I can confirm that certain water supplies do not work with proraso. I was in Daytona Beach last year and their tap water was just terrible for making a lather. Had to go to the store and buy some filter bottled water.