Night and day with MWF

[nrv216]

Well yesterday I tried my puck of mwf for the first time using my Semogue 2000 boar bristle brush and face lathering. I knew that there was a slight learning curve with mwf so I was prepared for a struggle. I loaded my brush, which had been soaked for the duration of my shower, for about 20 seconds and then face lathered. The lather for my first pass went great providing a nice luxurious creamy foam and a heavenly cushion. I grabbed my brush to relather for pass two and NO LATHER TO BE FOUND! I reloaded a little more soap and repeated another wtg pass. After my post shave ritual, my daily shave was done and I was wearing a dfs. However, I was a little disheartened by the performance of mwf as it did not seem to provide much lather.

Today, I soaked my Simpson duke 2 AND my puck of mwf for the duration of the shower. I loaded up and took brush to face and gobs of beautiful lather erupted from the simpson. I finished my two pass daily routine with lather to spare. I guess the brush and soaking the puck made all the difference in the world. Just goes to show you that wet shaving is always a surprise. I would have thought that the Semogue boar would have been much better with the hard puck of mwf.

By the way, I love the scent of mwf! After lathering, I went to wipe some excess soap off of my lips and had a sudden urge to lick them instead! Yeah, I like it that much.

nrv216

[grendel1972]

I love the smell as well. I'm got the sensitive skin that balks at any sort of added scent, and this one is really my favorite, and may have ruined me to other "non-scented" soaps. I soak the puck as well as the brush, but then give the brush a good squeeze before loading. I add some water after loading before face lathering, and during face lathering as necessary, but I find that I get the best load if my brush is on the dry side (although having soaked during the shower). I'm generally using a Simpsons M7 Manchurian, just for reference.

[cb91710]

MWF likes water.

When loading and lathering, don't be afraid to dip the tip of the brush to reload the water.

Mantic has a good video on face-lathering with MWF and comments on soaking the brush/puck and dipping.
Generally, a badger brush does not need to be soaked. Any water it's going to pick up, it will pick up in a couple of minutes... it's not as porous as boar... but of course it's not going to hurt it to soak for the duration of a shower, just don't go with full-hot water. Never soak the brush in water that you can't hold your hand in.
For face lathering MWF, you want "scritchy"... a brush with a lot of body.

[nrv216]

Hmm I have never heard of water too hot for a brush except if it was boiling. I don't think my tap gets that hot but definitely too hot to put my hands if for too long. Maybe I'm just a wuss. I haven't seen any shedding though and from what I gather that is the concern with over heated water, that it makes the epoxy loosen and hairs start to shed.

Also, yes I have seen that mwf likes water. Thanks!
nrv216

[Oscroft]

I find my Semogue SOC works great with MWF - but I do let the soap stand with some water on it while the brush is soaking, I use the brush quite wet, and I load for quite a bit longer than 20 seconds.

[nrv216]

Yeah, I forgot to add that I probably loaded a bit longer with the simpson too!

nrv216

[brucered]

warm water, soaking wet boar, load for 45-60sec. problem solved.

20sec is WAY to short to load, especially for MWF.

[Absolute Mustard]

I find that my Duke 2 and 3 were my best brushes for the MWF...lathered like nobodys business

MWF loves density

[DC_MPA]

I've enjoyed my one and only puck of MWF. I won't buy it again personally. There are too many amazing soaps/creams on the market that rally MWF for my world. I am glad I tried it but it is not a purchase I'd make a second time.

[Viseguy]

warm water, soaking wet boar, load for 45-60sec. problem solved.

20sec is WAY to short to load, especially for MWF.

+1. Not dripping wet, but wet enough.

[InHotWater]

warm water, soaking wet boar, load for 45-60sec. problem solved.

20sec is WAY to short to load, especially for MWF.

+2 You want to have enough lather for a nice multi-pass shave

[nosedog]

Hmm I have never heard of water too hot for a brush except if it was boiling.

One of the best changes I made to my shaving routine was soaking my (badger) brush in lukewarm water for 30 seconds instead of in hot water for a few minutes. I don't know the consequences for the brush, but the cooler water is better for my face. Of course, YMMV.

[Cochese2323]

Glad to hear you got a good lather out of it. MWF has been in my rotation for over a month and I still get hit or miss lathering with my hard water. But even a so-so lather still produces great results. The stuff really is outstanding.

[MilesTeg]

I was in a hurry this morning, and even considered skipping the shave. When I decided to do so, I put some warm water on top of the puck while I ran the sink over my brush (cheap Parker pure badger, very scritchy which I prefer for soaps) for about ten seconds, shook it almost dry, then swirled slowly on the soap for about 15 seconds. BAM. I had great lather and ended up with a DFS in 3 passes, done.

[nosedog]

15 seconds? Wow. I swirl for 50-60 seconds. Maybe I'm overdoing it.

[Hrothgar]

I love MWF. Right now, I'd say it's in the top 3 in my rotation.

[ridnovir]

At the moment MWF is my most favorite soap, I have some Mystic Water, QCS and MNS on the way so we will see.

[Absolute Mustard]

15 seconds? Wow. I swirl for 50-60 seconds. Maybe I'm overdoing it.

Slightly

[Cochese2323]

I just got a Semogue 620 boar bristle brush and that made all the difference for me. Now I get great every lather every time.

[Huxley]

Same with my Semogue 1520, my two band tubby works fine but mwf really responds to a nice stiff scrubbing.