Saying goodbye to MWF

[finotti]

I think i did it!

Took me almost an hours but i managed to get a half decent lather.. It seemed like i was not adding enoug water...

Sorry if I repeat myself: I sometimes get thin lather like this in the bowl, but try lathering a bit more on the skin (face or palm), as it gets much thicker for me when I do it. (Or just get rid of it if you don't think it is worth the trouble...) Remember Mantic's video recommend face lathering too.

[Cheapogit]

MWF is my favourite soap. I live in a hard water area and expected to struggle with it for a while, so I followed all the advice in Mantic's video - soaking the puck in warm water, loading longer than usual, face lathering etc - and from the start was getting good lather from the soap.

+1 -- Being in a hard water area too, I had the same experience, and MWF was the first soap I managed to work out how to get a Meringuey lather - following Mantic's instructions made it actually fairly easy, considering all the stuff I'd read about it being difficult to lather, and it also helped improve my technique for general lathering of other products.

[7bears]

MWF is my favourite soap. I live in a hard water area and expected to struggle with it for a while, so I followed all the advice in Mantic's video - soaking the puck in warm water, loading longer than usual, face lathering etc - and from the start was getting good lather from the soap. But what helped me to get the great MWF lather - and it went against what most seem to advise, and against my own expectations too - was using a badger brush rather than a boar. I came across this old thread about which brush is best for MWF and a couple of people were using badger so I gave it a go (still face lathering, just like with a boar) and it was the key for me. YMMV, but I'd recommened given it a shot.

Mitchell's Wool Fat is my favorite soap also and the only one I use. Just before I get into the shower I put the whole ceramic dish/puck in a basin of warm water and my brush to soak in a small glass of hot water. When I get out of the shower, I am able to whip up lather just as good or better as any other soap I have tried and I have tried so many soaps I would be ashamed to tell anyone.

There may be something to using it daily to keep it plump and hydrated.

[nav]

I think i did it!

Took me almost an hours but i managed to get a half decent lather.. It seemed like i was not adding enough water.

This is the number one biggest problem in my experience. It makes you think you don't have enough soap but actually, it's all about adding water slowly and working that lather on your face and it will thicken up. I don't soak the puck or load it upside down or use a stiff brush. I just grab the puck, load for 10-15 seconds and work the lather on my face and I get enough thick, rich, slick lather for a full 3 passes.

I appreciate you starting this thread, StubbleShaver. It's experiences such as yours that will prevent me from buying MWF. I've heard wonderful things about MWF but I've also read about frustrating experiences as well. Why waste time with one soap when there are so many others out there?

Once you experience MWF, you will be kicking yourself for not trying it sooner, as I did. I couldn't believe I waited 6 months before I bought a puck when I started DE shaving. Just give it a go and if you don't like it, it will sell on the BST in about 10 minutes.

Sorry if I repeat myself: I sometimes get thin lather like this in the bowl, but try lathering a bit more on the skin (face or palm), as it gets much thicker for me when I do it. (Or just get rid of it if you don't think it is worth the trouble...) Remember Mantic's video recommend face lathering too.

Yep, face lathering and working it while adding water slowly and you will see it thicken up into the rich lather MWF lovers are talking about.

[VirtualAsylum]

IMO, the foolproof way to lather MWF is:

1) presoaking the soap for a minute or two, or dribbling a few drops of warm water on the puck and gently massaging them into the soap
2) Using a brush with some backbone (boar or 2 band; also- if using boar, the boar should be broken in- if it's not, it won't turn out the greatest)
3) Shaking out/very lightly wringing out the brush so that it is just a little past damp, but not SOAKED
4) Load vigorously for about 20-40 seconds depending on your water hardness
5) Immediately begin to FACE LATHER using a swirling motion, then a painting motion (I find MWF is WAY better when face lathered)
6) The lather will probably be very thick and very white, but a bit dry at this point
7) Dip the tippy tip of your bush into warm water
8) Do a little more swirling & painting until you have a thick, slick, yogurt-like lather (repeat step 7 if necessary)
9) Marvel at its awesomeness.
10) Repeat steps 5-9 for 2nd and 3rd pass

I have tremendous success with this every single time, and as some folks have said, MWF does seem to benefit from relatively frequent use & hydration. If you haven't used it for a while, you're going to need to soak it a bit longer & load a bit longer (it tends to develop a tough skin around the exterior if unused for some time).

[Sir_Eider]

In my little experiencie, this soap is one that should be launched in a stick form (thick stick like Irisch Moos preferably) because I had tested that this soap works much better if you pass it through your beard and then do facelathering adding little water that trying to lather it in a bowl. Since a do facelathering with it I haven't had more problems with it.

Cheers!

[honed]

MWF is not worth it.
So many awesome soaps that you can get superb lather from with no hassle at all.
Why on earth should you then dabble with something that needs a whole ritual to work??

[nav]

MWF is not worth it.
So many awesome soaps that you can get superb lather from with no hassle at all.
Why on earth should you then dabble with something that needs a whole ritual to work??

I suppose one could say that about the whole traditional shaving thing. It has a learning curve but once you get it right, it's totally worth it...just like MWF. Although I didn't have an extended learning curve with MWF, a lot of people who have are greatful they stuck with it.

In my experience of 50+ soaps, I can say that MWF still stands strong at the number 1 position.

[robochoche]

I have test lathered mwf 2 times and shaved with it 2 times as well. I did have a bit of trouble the first time I test lathered but adding water solved my issue. Did like the lather and my shaves were fine but I have learned I enjoy soaps with more of a scent. Dont think I will be using mine often but because of performance issues.

[GencoOliveOilCompany]

I could lather MWF as long as I loaded the brush for > 1 minute. The key for me was to really load that brush. My problem with MWF was it left a oily/greasy residue on my face that got worse as the day progressed. I suspect a reaction to lanolin.

[rbaloha]

MWF is a long good bye since it takes forever to make this puck disappear.

[ridnovir]

Why, - because you get reworded with one of the best lathers out there! Besides, I have no problem with MWF and do not do any special ritual just use it as any other soap.

[.Damon.]

I'll post for the second time in this thread, something I discovered late in my sample of MWF, while building the lather, do a few painting strokes. For some reason, painting in between swirling on your face really gets MWF lathered up.

[Blondie]

JC, there is no magic or dealing with the devil with MWF. There are two threads now bashing the fat. Grow up and learn how to lather. Tell you what. Lather in a jail cell with f-in dial soap and a disposable that would make a Bic look like a Filarmonica, and then b*tch about the fat, or any shaving soap for that matter, and then you have some cred. Until then, love whatever you have, enjoy your brush, and have a great shave.

[Mad Man]

Some rules I came across on BB a while back...forget the OP.

1. When you think you've loaded....load more.

2. When you think you've added enough water....add more.

[Mad Man]

Some rules I came across on BB a while back...forget the OP.

1. When you think you've loaded....load more.

2. When you think you've added enough water....add more.

[MikeGJ]

Best results with this for me have been using the cake like a stick, rubbing it on my (wet) face, then lathering up with a soaked brush.

I found that this method works great with other cakes, as well, including Tabac and La Toja Mantianles.

Use your bowl, mug or scuttle to soak your brush, not to lather, and enjoy a great shave!

- Mike

[Griffo]

I picked this up from the PO depot last night and had my first shave with it.

I tried dropping the puck and the bowl in hot water for 5 mins as mentioned here.

I managed to get what looked quite a nice, thick lather in the bowl itself but when applied to my face it sort of evaporated so I must have been doing something wrong. Attempt 2 tonight.

[lungho]

I've never really had a problem with MWF. I suspect the reason why is that I don't have hard water. But here's my routine.

1. After I get out of the shower, I first soak the puck and then the brush.
2. After a minute or two, I gently squeeze the knot of the brush removing most of the excess water.
3. I then dump all the water out of the bowl where the MWF puck was soaking.
4. I then work the puck with the brush for about a minute, often turning the bowl upside down....I'll add water if I've found I squeezed too much out of the brush in the previous step.
5. I skip bowl lathering and move directly to the face for lathering.
6. At first I get a thick pasty lather, but then I keep dipping the brush in water and continue face lathering until I reach the desired consistency.

Some things I've noticed while using MWF:

1. A Best Badger brush seems to work best.
2. A Super Badger brush, like the B&B 2012 LE TGN, also works very well but requires a little more effort due to the softer bristles.
3. Softer brushes such as Silver Tips should not be used. You need a brush with backbone.
4. And last, but not least, watch the Mantics videos on YouTube.

[Tordu]

I really don't think that MWF needs a complex ritual to produce a good lather. I obtain better result with a rather floppy brush like the kent bk4 . Also you should not start with a lot of water , but add it sparingly during the process.
This soap is the best for my skin , no question.