My favorite Proraso is just a shadow of its former self.

[Ghengis Khandrey]

Have you tried the tube? I'm interested in how they compare

[Erazorhead]

Totally the opposite for me. I was very underwhelmed by Proraso soap in a bowl and by the aftershave sample I tried. Here in the UK you can get Palmolive cream at 25% of the price of Proraso, and it lathers up like TOBS! It's very interesting to me how the YMMV comment is so true on so much of this stuff.....

[shakin_jake]

Hi Kenno! Couple of comments from me about the original Proraso soap. It's one of my favorite soaps (the original formula). I've not yet used the new version Proraso but I have used the new Omega soap and it is a bit of a let down, compared to the old version Omega soap, which was close in consistency with the old Proraso soap, the make up that is

I was going to try the new version of Proraso soap just to see what it is all about but when I found out I could order the original Proraso soap from Connaught in England, I placed a 4 tub order. Maybe I should have ordered more=:-)

Anyways, I can't compare the new to the old but I will say I do enjoy using the old formula Proraso soap. For those that have said in this thread that the old formula Proraso soap did not give them enough slick, I have to believe them, but it's not that way for me. I find the old formula Proraso soap to be one of the best commercial shave soaps that provides me with the utmost slickness, and I should explain that I use a straight razor to shave with and IMO, using a very good slick soap is paramount to getting a good close comfortable straight razor shave

Also, when i shave using the straight razor, the reason I need my soap to be slick, and this is just my opinion, but for me, I consider the soap to be a lubricant which allows the open blade to glide over my skin, cutting only the whiskar shaft and not the skin itself. If the soap is not perfect in application, then the blade will skip and grab. Not good! I don't get that with the old formula Proraso. I find the way I apply it it's there to lubricate and that it does well

A lot of straight razor shavers like and use tallow soaps. Me too, but I also use a few glycerin soaps and I find Proraso as a glycerin soap to be very effective and very grease like, slick like grease. And i have to agree with your assessement how Prorso acts when using a Tablespoon of water to sit on the puck. That little bit of extra moisture allows the soap surface to soften enough for the shave brush tips to grab even more soap. I often do that with Tabac soap, except I allow Tabac to be fully covered with water, but if overdone with both soaps, that's not good either. The times I've over done Proraso with water, the soap breaks apart and turns into mini gobs of soap (breaks apart) so it's important not to over do Proraso with too much water, and that said, often I'll bring the brush full of water to the soap while dry and swirl the brush til my head spins but there are the times I let a full tablespoon of water set on top for a bit then drain that water away before loading a drier brush. Yes!, there's more than one way to load a brush with Proraso soap and your way of letting the brush soak for 10 minutes minimum then shaking the brush well so it's only damp is good, so long as the top of the soap is dampened too in the way you mentioned

I'll also admit to liking the way Proraso *always* leaves my face feeling moisturized after using, and the coolness felt as a light breeze wafts around freshly shaven skin after using Proraso soap. I'm also a big fan of using Proraso Pre Shave Cream, to condition my beard and skin before every shave, even if I don't use Proraso soap, but it's a double treat using both of these two great products together. A total menthol blast. FWIW, last time I bought Proraso Pre Shave Cream it was two 500 ml tubs, from Joseph in Canada. Please don't tell me that formula has been changed too, I'm getting very low and need to re-order


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

[Mad Man]

+1 to Jake's post above.

[Kenno]

How you doing Jake,

Mate I bought 10 tubs of the old and will never be buying the new version. The slickness is different in the new version, almost like a soft airy cream slickness whereas the old vintage version was a eucalyptus oil/grease slickness with cushioning, cushioning the new version has very little of.

I can only suggest you give the new version a go, however I would hesitate buying large sizes or large quantities of any of the new proraso line. So far the soap, pre-post and white aftershave balm have been a huge letdown for me. None of those are anywhere near the old versions. I will not be buying those 3 again. All three seem to be week watered down versions of their former selves.

There was nothing like a full Proraso shave with the old line, green soap, followed by pre-post, 5 minutes later green aftershave then the balm which I think was the best balm ever after trying 10 different balms.

If your hard core Proraso like me, stock up the old, you can't go wrong there and hopefully get some SMN soap if you can afford it before they stuff that up too.

[JM]

I stopped in a barbershop yesterday and all they had was some German made shaving soap (which I purchased) and OLD Proraso. They said it almost never sells and they've had it on the shelf for a few years.

I'm sure the old formula can be found...at least for a little while longer.

[Kenno]

I stopped in a barbershop yesterday and all they had was some German made shaving soap (which I purchased) and OLD Proraso. They said it almost never sells and they've had it on the shelf for a few years.

I'm sure the old formula can be found...at least for a little while longer.

Probably never sells from that shop becuase they charge too much. From other more reasonable shops it's one of the best sellers.

[nycebo]

Never got a chance to try the old Proraso since I'm new to the game, but the new version is a very serious contender for me. Easy to lather, moist on the skin, and very refreshing.

[JM]

Probably never sells from that shop becuase they charge too much. From other more reasonable shops it's one of the best sellers.

It was cheaper (7.50) then the local drug store (8.99).

[Kenno]

It was cheaper (7.50) then the local drug store (8.99).

You can get 2 for $10 us?

[jl.]

Kenno, I've not been on B&B for a long time (over a year perhaps?) and was so sad to read your first post. I bought my first shaving brush and double edge razor about 5 years ago and my first soap, after reading up a lot on this forum, was old formula Proraso. It was also the soap I took on my honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I remember so well throwing back the curtains to our hotel balcony and feeling the cool breeze and menthol kick on my face straight after my morning shave.

I've been using Cella almost exclusively for a year but every so often I'll take out the Proraso just to make me feel good. I've not tried the new Proraso but to me it doesn't even matter if it's better or worse, just the fact that it will feel different and smell different just makes me makes me a little sad.

[channy]

I never had the opportunity to try the old Proraso Green, but I still absolutely adore the current formula of Proraso Green and would LOVE a tub of Proraso red. I prefer soaps over creams.

[shakin_jake]

How you doing Jake,

Mate I bought 10 tubs of the old and will never be buying the new version. The slickness is different in the new version, almost like a soft airy cream slickness whereas the old vintage version was a eucalyptus oil/grease slickness with cushioning, cushioning the new version has very little of.

I can only suggest you give the new version a go, however I would hesitate buying large sizes or large quantities of any of the new proraso line. So far the soap, pre-post and white aftershave balm have been a huge letdown for me. None of those are anywhere near the old versions. I will not be buying those 3 again. All three seem to be week watered down versions of their former selves.

There was nothing like a full Proraso shave with the old line, green soap, followed by pre-post, 5 minutes later green aftershave then the balm which I think was the best balm ever after trying 10 different balms.

If your hard core Proraso like me, stock up the old, you can't go wrong there and hopefully get some SMN soap if you can afford it before they stuff that up too.

~~~One day I will try the new version Proraso soap...just because I'm curious. I went ahead and ordered 4 tubs of the old formula soap from Connaught some weeks back? After recieving them (and a puck of Tabac=:-) I was going to re-order more, then I see Connaught is also out of the old formula <sigh> now. Such is life, and reminds me of the old saying-those that hesitate are last <LOL>...I think that is the way it's said

Anyways, surprise surprise...I've been forgoing the use of the pre shave (Proraso), and I'm getting good shaves without it. I still have 300 ml's (from/in a bulk 500 ml jar) but this whole thing of the *new* formula pre shave now only being sold in a 300 ml jar instead of a 500 ml jar, and the way the product got a 100 % + prioce hike from the vendor I was buying it from...as mentioned, I decided to try going without it and am happy to report I'm getting good results not using it

I do the barber towel prep for most every shave as I dont shower before shaving, and I was using the pre shave Proraso first, then lathering up with the soap, even non Proraso soap when I wasn't using Proraso shave soap. So, the towel went on over the pre shave and the Proraso soap, 2-3 minutes elapse, the hot towel comes off, I wipe all of that off and re-lather...so I was never using the pre shave soap whenever I was shaving and as mentioned...I'm not missing it one bit. Funny thing is, I've always enjoyed using the old formula pre shave...but I'm not seeing any negative differences *not* using it

Sorry for venting...I got ticked when the vendor upped the price 100% + for the new version pre shave Proraso. Doesn't make any sense to me. What if Proraso categorically upped the price of their shave soap 100 + %?, think anyone would keep buying it? Sure, some would, but not many, hence Proraso although changed their formula, no price increase. They would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did. Sorry, but I digress


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.