Advice on Acqua di Parma

So is it indeed consensus to load this one direct from the jar onto the brush, soap-style? And if so, I take it it does indeed take a pretty decent load to create a good lather?

Correct indeed. Some AdP tubs have a softer consistency but lately it seems they are all harder like yours, and like the one I had bought. The softer ones you can literally scoop it out with your finger no problem, but the harder ones you have to load with a brush just like any other soap.

I find it easier that way.

This morning I gave it another go, loading with my Semogue 620 for a good 30 seconds. Much better. I suspect I could have added even more water, but it was a nice shave, regardless. Is it just me or does this lather have a sort of "tacky" or "sticky" feeling to it, even when it's slick?

This morning I gave it another go, loading with my Semogue 620 for a good 30 seconds. Much better. I suspect I could have added even more water, but it was a nice shave, regardless. Is it just me or does this lather have a sort of "tacky" or "sticky" feeling to it, even when it's slick?

I don't recall it being tacky. You may need to add more water.

This morning I gave it another go, loading with my Semogue 620 for a good 30 seconds. Much better. I suspect I could have added even more water, but it was a nice shave, regardless. Is it just me or does this lather have a sort of "tacky" or "sticky" feeling to it, even when it's slick?

I don't recall it being tacky. You may need to add more water.

This^^^^^^^^^

This morning I gave it another go, loading with my Semogue 620 for a good 30 seconds. Much better. I suspect I could have added even more water, but it was a nice shave, regardless. Is it just me or does this lather have a sort of "tacky" or "sticky" feeling to it, even when it's slick?

I don't recall it being tacky. You may need to add more water.

This^^^^^^^^^

That^^^^^^^^^

Kidding aside, a bit more water added gradually and you should be right as rain.

I guess I'm going to whip this one today for a further assessment, lol...

All it took was one bad experience with Soap Commander, where I added too much water, not trusting the slickness I already had, and now I think I'm afraid to really hydrate anything else. :-) But given how much I loaded, I suppose I probably did need a bit more water. Still shaved well enough, but yep, haven't totally dialed this in yet.

(I'm still spoiled by something like Tabac, which is just so braindead-easy to get a great lather from.)