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Ok, so folks have a hard time with lathering MWF. I think what happens is the soap dries out, basically when it starts to crack or break up, the lather is poor. You have to keep it wet or let it soak for awhile before using it, maybe even over night. When it is infused with water by regular use the issue of poor lather is negated. So crack open that ceramic dish, or whatever you keep it in, and load your brush up! Use often and love it.
All I know is that it smells like my Grandmothers medicine cabinet. That old world soap smell, that alone will keep me from ever buying another puck.
Mine has surface cracks yet works just fine. But you might be on to something with your hydration theory.
What I do (with every hard soap) is add a tablespoon of water or so to the top of the puck and let it soak while I shower. Then I add that water from the puck to my lather bowl, load the brush and begin building my lather, adding more water as necessary. Works great every time.
As a side note, I've had that puck of MWF for probably 4 years now and it's barely dished and has a hard time holding that tbsp of water. At this rate it will probably last until sometime next decade lol
I guess I'm lucky with the water I have, when I use MWF, or Tabac, I just soak my brush a few minutes in lukewarm water, shake the brush out some and load it up, start face lathering, add a little water as needed. Both lather up great for me. Did take some dialing in to figure each one out. Like Ryan82 my MWF has some surface cracking also. I did find using the cooler water helped me with both the MWF and Tabac.
I fought with my puck of MWF for six months, and finally found that it works best for me for face lathering.
I have very Hard Water, lathering anything is a experiment hehehe
MWF Solution = Shred the Soap, Press the shredded soap into Soap Bowl, Wet the soap before shower as Ryan said, use VERY hot water, have beautiful creamy lather..
Attachment 150226
That is the shredded and re-pressed MWF in that bowl
Ever see a video of someone showing how it is hard to lather MWF? I have not. I have read a lot about how difficult it is. I don't have trouble lathering MWF and I don't have a water softener. I don't doubt that some have trouble with it but it would be nice to see what they are doing to understand a little better what the issue is. All of the videos I've seen with MWF show good results.
I don't have issues with it either, but being on the scene as long as I have I know plenty of people have had issues with MWF and I can't doubt their sincerity, whether it's due to water quality or lathering technique or perhaps both. I've always found it ironic that many parts of England, where it originates, have very hard water and many English members report difficulties with MFW too.Quote:
Originally Posted by str8tlkr
I guess we're the lucky ones?
I fill my sink with hot water, submerge the soap, bowl and all in it as well as my brush and then take a shower. When I get out I lather up with no problems.
John
I lather MWF like any other puck of soap I have. Swirl brush in cold tap water, quick shake and load brush and repeat a time or two. Then build lather on face adding water as necessary, no special tricks. Must have decent water here is all I can think of.
Bob
Long time ago someone posted that you should leave your puck uncovered overnight to avoid "stuff" growing on your soap. So I began to do that. When I acquired some MWF it began to shrink and crack. A PITA to lather. I reserved it for uberlathering with creams because I couldn't get any scent out of it anyway.
When the puck finally was gone I got a refill for the ceramic dish. This time I covered it immediately following the shave, after rinsing the froth off of it. Hasn't shrunk, hasn't cracked, lathers wonderfully. BTW, I always leave a bit of water on the puck for 5 minutes or so before I begin lathering.
Gentlemen,
Mitchell's Wool Fat is a good, although there are far superior soaps. Still, I use it from time to time. Never had any problem lathering with it, though. I keep the water warm but not boiling hot and use lots of it.
Hot water on MWF?
I see many say they are using hot water, or even very hot water, on their MWF. One of the distinguishing features of MWF is that it contains lanolin, which does your skin a world of good. However, lanolin has a melting point of 38c/100f.
In other words, if you are using hot water on it, you are depleting it's core function. It is not a problem to use hotter water as you are building the lather, just make sure you do not soak the puck in water hotter than 100f/38c.
MWF is a staple in my soap arsenal, there are others that are better but still, I surely enjoy the old-school air of it. I use mine like Jimmy said, covered at all times, touch of water before lathering, works fine here in Norway. Oh, and I also have rather hard water.
My puck is not on regular rotation and it got very dry. I think I even let the lid off one time. One day I tried to use it with poor results. I am a big fan of MWF but Castle Forbes was discovered. Anyway, I decided to see if rehydration would work and left the puck soaking in water over night. I think it worked. So basically if you get a decent lather the puck is hydrated but if you are not it is possible that the puck has dried out too much. Of course there are other variables to consider but I think this is another with an easy fix.
I've always found MWF to require more water than most soaps and I usually have to re-moisten the brush with water during the shave. otherwise I haven't had any real issues with building lather.
I never really had an issue until it was out of rotation for a bit and really dried out.
When I first got my puck of MWF, I just watched this video by Mantic, and it worked like a charm!
How To Lather Mitchell's Wool Fat Shave Soap - YouTube
Mantic's video is OK but I disagree with the amount of work he puts into getting the lather. If you keep the puck well hydrated at all times the lather will come easily and with abundance. You will not have to use extremely hot water or soak it pre shave. You will not have to pour a lot of water on top of the puck or in your scuttle. The main this is not never let it dry out in the first place. Water is one of the main ingredients of soap so do not let it lose this property by letting the puck dry out. So keep the lid on after use and use it often. If you notice it cracking soak it. I think using this soap should take nor more time than another soap to produce copious amount of thick lather. It is not a magical mystery soap that requires some voodoo ritual to make it work, just consistent hydration.
My MWF trick (and it's not "mine", it came from the knowledge base) is to reserve the soaking liquid. After loading the brush I use the reserved soapy goodness to build a lather, either face or scuttle (Wallyworld Latte Cup from the discount bin) All done with cool water BTW. The result is a dense, rich and bountiful harvest of lather…
Sorry, I have the urge to shave...
I soak my soap in its ceramic bowl with probably a couple tablespoons of hot water from the brush while getting ready and stropping .
I load the bush with several swirls of the brush and lather in a scuttle with 2-3 drops of glycerin. We do have hard well water.
I can get a good lather and add water and soap if needed. The glycerin works great for me with our water. I add water by running water on the brush handle and letting it dribble into the brush, then pump the brush in the scuttle, so the running water does not wash off all the lather from the brush.
I too keep the lid on and it helps to keep from drying out too much.
MWF is awesome in my opinion. I have had my puck to crack but after the next use the crack was gone.
I have never had a lathering problem with it but I don't doubt those who say they do. I soak my brush and lathering bowl in hot water while showering then shake the majority of water from my brush. I then swirl my brush in my MWF with moderate pressure 10 or 12 times to get some on my brush. I then take my heated lathering bowl and whip the MWF to a creamy lather that will usually overrun my bowl.
I've had better results using MWF with cold or Luke warm water, definitely not hot. Even the brush sitting in a hot scuttle seems to break down the lather. After I changed the routine from hot to warm, no more problems with MWF.
Completely agree that it isnt a mystery, which is why I disagree with you that you should keep it hydrated. Having to periodically maintain my soap sounds more like a "voodoo ritual" to me, but if it works for you, keep doing it. That's the point :tuQuote:
Originally Posted by Mephisto
I cold water face lather with MWF and have not had a problem even when the puck is dried out. Our family has been making homemade cold processed soap for a few years, mostly for family and friends. Once you mix a "base" of lye with an "acid" of oil or fat you will get a "neutral" of soap. It is the oils or fats used in the soap making that determine the amount of lather, slickness, conditioning, etc. Once this chemical reaction takes place the temperature of the water used to make lather doesn't matter, it boils down to what you feel comfortable using.
That's exactly what I do with the MWF, tiny splash of water on top of the puck, and on with the cold shave. Rinse it off, and put the lid back on. Never had a problem with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyHAD
I read through this thread yesterday, and decided I would use MWF for my shave today.
My puck is 4 years old and cracked but I found no special rituals were needed to create masses of rich creamy goodness.
The only time I've ever had trouble building lather with the fat I was using a silvertip badger and had trouble loading enough soap, possibly because the brush was so soft, however I've never had a problem using an omega pro 48.
This is my this is my theory...
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYDiPizDIs
I've had zero problems making lather with MWF. I've shredded it, like Glen with good results or left it intact with equally good results.
I posted this in an earlier thread about MWF, and this is what I've found to work for me.
1) Soaking washes the lanolin out of the soap over time. That's why my first puck turned into a brick. :gaah:
2) The right amount of water that makes good lather for each type of water (hard, soft, etc), is a very narrow window.
3) Temperature makes little difference in the quality of lather. However, very hot water, over 140 F, will break down the lather in a scuttle.
