Thread: Mitchell's Wool Fat

Good thread! I've been using MWF almost exclusively for the last 4 years or so. My only complaint is that it dries out too quickly, but I'm a slow shaver in a dry climate so that might be the reason. I can get a great lather on my face, in a scuttle, and even in the bowl it comes with - it just takes a little pre-soak and a bit of time working the puck with the bristle ends... OK a LOT of time developing the lather. But once it comes in it has to be the best lather I've experienced.

My wife loves the scent of MWF so that may influence me some. I found the bath soap they sell and bought some bars for her (she started using my MWF for her legs). I'm wondering if anyone else has tried the bath soap and if they also think it doesn't really smell like the shaving soap. I can't smell any similarity at all - but the lanolin is certainly in the bathing soap as well.

Used MWF for the first time today. Great product, not difficult to lather thanks to all who have given pointers. Leaves a very nice, smooth feel to the skin. Not normally a soap user, but this soap, along with Ogallala Bay Rum soap may convert me.

Originally Posted by kettlebell

One of the enjoyments I get from Straight Razor shaving are the soaps. But, unfortunately, I have never had a decent shave with wool fat. It wont go waste though, my wife uses it to shave her legs.

I have since changed my mind. My dislike of the soap was do to my inexperience in lathering Mitchells. Since my original post, Mitchells Wool Fat has become one of my favorite soaps.

Shaving 101 had a good explanation on how to lather Mitchells.

http://www.shaving101.com/index.php/...ving-soap.html

I've found that scuttle whipping often dries out most of my soaps. Anyone else have this issue?

I use a scuttle.. I don't find that.. I usually soak my soaps in my scuttles while I'm showering .. This is gonna cause problems but I love Mwf better than my mdc

I'll agree with the others on MWF being a great soap. I face lather almost exclusively and MWF is no exception. I've also milled it down and stuffed it in a twist up container and apply it in stack form. With an SoC, it's amazing!

I'm a bit of a shave soap collector...it's probably my worst addiction...of all the soaps I've tried, none are more hotly debated than MWF...when you dialed it in, it's like nothing else in the world, when it's off...it's horrible. The main reason for it being off is usually hard water. It responds to hard water like oil does to water...

Originally Posted by Ru4scuba

I'm a bit of a shave soap collector...it's probably my worst addiction...of all the soaps I've tried, none are more hotly debated than MWF...when you dialed it in, it's like nothing else in the world, when it's off...it's horrible. The main reason for it being off is usually hard water. It responds to hard water like oil does to water...

Just wondering... Being "a shave soap collector", what are some of your favorites, besides MWF, that you could suggest? I'm always looking for good shave soaps, myself.
Thanks for any info.

Originally Posted by bruseth

Just wondering... Being "a shave soap collector", what are some of your favorites, besides MWF, that you could suggest? I'm always looking for good shave soaps, myself.
Thanks for any info.

Over the years there have been a few that have been regulars in my rotation and a few that have gone by the wayside....scent is VERY YMMV so I'll only talk about those who I find to be superior performers (separated by cost/availability)

Top tier
Art of Shaving tallow version - stuff lathers like a dream is amazingly slick and the puck lasts a good long while....multiple scents for your own sniffer but they reformulated recently...be sure you get the old version

Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet (old tallow based formulation) - hands down my favorite soap of all time...virtually impossible to find now unfortunately.

Martind de candre - French soap that is amazing....love the lather, love the slickness and ease of whipping up a batch....don't love the shipping cost

Mid level
Provence Sante green tea....great slick lather, relatively inexpensive and easy to find

tabac - universally known as a top level performer in all categories...some folks dislike the scent however

DR Harris tallow - ton of scents and right up there on par with Art of shaving soaps....plus! they seem to be holding the line and not reformulating

Cella - makes ridiculous mounds of lather at bargain prices...very devoted core group of followers...need to lie the scent of marzipan...otherwise you're stuck

cheap and easy
Proraso....great stuff, they've added a few scents and reformulated recently, but the old green tub is a solid performer

Arko - I personally can't stand the scent, but the lather is tough to beat and dirt cheap

I'd also add a number of craft soap makers here some new some old all with great soaps at great prices....check out: Saint Charles Shave, LA shaving company, Prairie Creations, Queen Charlotte Shave.....the list goes on seemingly indefinitely.

You can also find a number of top tier soaps on EBay that are vintage tallow based soaps....all of which perform very well but the scent has died somewhat over the years.

I've tried Yardley, Wrisleys and vintage Old Spice....all amazing shaves easily in the top tier of performance. My wife thinks I'm crazy for shaving with 50 year old soap...but hey, the formula worked back then!

Hope that helps!

I'll agree with the Martind de candre, Tabac and AoS.. As much as I dislike the AoS experience, the old formula soap and cream is something special.

I'll add to this..

Trumpers.. Pick your flavor.. Eucris smells like burnt wood but all other scents are awesome. Lime is a favorite. A few swirls on the puck and lather explodes on your brush. Super slick and cushioning and doesn't dry down quickly

LaToya Manintiales... if you can find it, grab it. Slick and smooth and gobs of lather

Mid tier

Two artisan soaps that I just adore for straight shaves are Mike's Natural and Kell's Original Glycerin. In Mike's the Lemon Grass & Eucalyptus and Barber Shop are crazy nice smelling and in Kell's the Black Tea. Also adore Bath House Spanish Fig and Nutmeg.. all of these are in permanent rotation for me.

On the low end... Wow, we can't leave out C.O.Bigelow/Proraso, VanDerHagen DLX and Speick stick!! Arko & Lea Menthol... all super latherer's that a slippery and soft and stay moist through a straight shave.

The list of great soaps worth trying is quite long..