Thread: Mitchell's Wool Fat

SO... I picked up a thingy of Mitchell's Wool Fat, and normally I don't even bother with the shaving seciton or SOTD or anything, but... I'm so excited I want to explode lol. So here is my review and ramble and SOTD. I found it mad cheap ($30 shipped for the dish and soap, or $14 shipped for just the soap) so i picked it up.

It came today. So. By my calculation, I paid $16 for the dish. Was it worth it? No. The dish is definitely not worth that. I would never pay that for the dish. Except- this is a luxury soap, and the dish is straight class. So I think the $16 was justified. Maybe. Lol. The regular price difference is $30 ($50 vs. $20) and I think that's a little steep though but to each their own. That said I now have a baller name-brand dish on my dresser. Word. Plus it matches my brush handle and stand.

Opened it up and was greeted by a very clean, fresh smell. Not very strong. Seemed good though.

Took it to shave. Grabbed my favourite blade, stropped her up and off to the bathroom I went. Used really hot water, and the brush loaded fine. First pass, I think it was too rich, it was like cream (from a tube). It sucked the razor a bit and the shave was unremarkable. Second pass. Added a little water to the brush (face lathering) BOOM. Massive amounts of what can only be called whipped cream. And I could barely feel the edge of my blade but it was absolutely wiping hair off. Now that is a soap. Third pass same story won't bore you. The smell- very boring. Which is nice for everyday use. Exactly what I need (though I do like having some light scents now and then.)

The drawback: Its gonna be a pain to use in the frat. Or at least it is now. I think once I get into the swing of it it'll be fine but for now I'm relegating it to 3-pass days and weekends.

Awesomeness.

SOTD:
5/8th J A Schmidt and Sohn Solingen full hollow
MWF
Vulfix Burlington Pure Badger
Neutrogena Preshave scrub
Neutrogena Post Shave lotion (aftershave)
Armani Code EDT

Thanks to Utopian again, because he put the edge on the razor a while ago and I use it 3 times a week usually and it never disappoints. Creams are nothing without the blade.

I love the fat. Unequivocally.

Whenever I have a bad shave or a bad face day, any kind of razor burn or irritation, or if I just need a pick-me-up, I go to the Fat and all is well with the world.

I love everything about it. The skin care, the shave, even the freaking BOX (that's why I got the ceramic dish--love that printing). I even think the smell is lovely--it is subtle, but clean, fresh and very mildly sweet.

I got the dish a hair cheaper than you, from Paul at Connaught shaving, but not a huge difference, maybe $26 or $27. It all depends on the exchange rate, but right now the Pound is still pretty weak.

I will ALWAYS be in the Fat, and I'll probably always buy it from Paul.

*contented sigh*

I've only used it once but I think I have the same sentiment. The bowl is so unnecessary, but so necessary. Just like my 20 razors....
And it really is a great soap. The scent is just the right amount. Its better than the other 4? 5? I've tried. The only thing that is on the same level that I have tried is CarrieM's creams.

If the soap would at least fit the damn bowl without moving around like a hockey puck it would be the ultimate. None the less the soap is so nourishing for y'er skin when shaving. love it.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

If the soap would at least fit the damn bowl without moving around like a hockey puck it would be the ultimate. None the less the soap is so nourishing for y'er skin when shaving. love it.

Here's the secret to that: Open the soap and wet one finger. Rub your wetted finger around on the bottom of the puck until it starts to get nice and slick, then press it to the bottom of the clean, dry bowl. Press it for about 30 seconds, then let it sit for about an hour.

It'll be nice and cemented in there with it's own magical soap-power.

Yes. MWF is amazing . I haven't had much experience with soaps, but it became my go-to soap for those days I need the pick-me-up in a jiffy. I'm particular to the faint soapy smell which is just the thing for those days when I'm having a slight headache and am very susceptible to smells. Also, it makes it ideal partner if you want to mix some nice smelling shavecream for uberlather.

It is a bit prone to developing cracks though. Has anyone had a piece broken off?

"Everybody loves the sheep. The sheep go baa." Settlers of Catan (I know MWF is hate/love, but I just had to use that quote.)

I use the Fat exclusively. It makes the skin very smooth and I like the fact that it has no particular smell to it. Makes your after shave options unlimited.

I also use a large shave mug. To solve the problem of the smaller puck, I use a cheese grader to chop up the puck and then pack it into the mug. It seems to stop the cracking, breaking and mushyness around the bottom edges, which makes the soap last longer.

Sometimes I also add just a tad of Truefitt and Hill oderless cream. This makes a magnificent creamy lather.

Enjoy

Ray

I have a secret shame - I loved the bowl, and the feeling of the soap...but I never use it any more because I can't stand the smell! Somehow it smells "off" to me, and makes my stomach turn - I go back to it every once in a while (like twice a year) because I come across a thread like this and think I must be nuts!

But then I lather up, and again the funky smell turns my stomach and ruins my shave. Oh well, to each their own.

Mark

Originally Posted by Milton Man

I have a secret shame - I loved the bowl, and the feeling of the soap...but I never use it any more because I can't stand the smell! Somehow it smells "off" to me, and makes my stomach turn - I go back to it every once in a while (like twice a year) because I come across a thread like this and think I must be nuts!

But then I lather up, and again the funky smell turns my stomach and ruins my shave. Oh well, to each their own.

Mark

Mark,
If you hate it, that much, I would trade you some honing for it!

Ray

Aside from the creamy lather and the cushioning that others have mentioned I love the lack of aroma. I like to add a dollop of cream to my lather bowl and having a soap that is neutral in the aroma department is ideal. There is no clash between the fragrance of one to the other. The ceramic bowl is part of the ambiance of using the fat and worth it to me.