> Unfortunately creating a good thick lather can easily take ten minutes.
Is it possible that you have hard water?
Is it possible that you have hard water?
It isn't only possible, it is a certainty.
But I am talking about lathering at the start (5 ish minutes) and then several times as you shave to keep the lather in good order (1 minute here, 1 minute there, etc). Otherwise the lather goes flat half way through your face.
Out of curiosity, did you ever try using distilled water? Alternatively, did you by chance give any of the traditional brushless products out there, like Musgo, a try? I use it while traveling and have had good luck with it.