I've recently been inspired to go back and retry products that I haven't used since I first started wet-shaving. This is in part to see if my experience and technique will change how I initially felt about certain products that I first used when I was a novice.

It's typical for newer users to start out using Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving creams and soaps. They are very well known and have a good reputation, as they have been around for 150 years. When I first started, I loved TOBS. I loved the scents and I loved how easy they were to lather. But as I've tried out other soaps, like artisan ones, have experimented more and perfected my technique, upon returning to TOBS the other night I have found the soaps to be not as great as I once did, but...pretty subpar.

They are definitely good for a beginner or when someone is in a rush to shave because they lather pretty quickly and easily, but I've always found the lather to be weak and dissipate quickly. No matter how much water or soap I add, try different lathering methods and mediums for lathering (bowl, face, hand), TOBS just doesnt cut it for me. For the most part I have always read positive reviews for the soaps and creams, so I just dont get it. Do I simply suck at these soaps or are they really not that great and dont deserve the reputation they have?

TL;DR: I find TOBS to be pretty shitty. Do I suck at lathering them or are they really not that great of soaps?