Thread: Still struggling with MWF by itself!

Hey all,

I've been at this for long enough to be getting some pretty consistent shaves, and I've accumulated quite a stockpile of various soaps and creams. I love MWF when mixed with cream and glycerin, but I have yet to get a good creamy lather with it alone. I've tried everything I can think of or read. I've loaded the brush till I'm blue in the face, tried hot, warm, cool water, various brushes, everything! I've tried whipping the soap longer, face lathering, more water, less...you get the picture.

I can always build lather, but it is always foamy with bigger bubbles than I would like. When I über lather it, I get thick, creamy lather with microscopic bubbles. What am I doing wrong? I do have hard water, and I haven't tried distilled water yet. Will hard water keep the lather from getting smooth and creamy? I've heard a lot about hard water being a lather killer, but I don't have a hard time getting lather...just have a hard time getting good lather. MWF is the only soap I struggle with.

Also, waiting on two tubs of MDC...am I going to have the same problem with it?

Try attempting to build lather on the puck itself, then once it's almost there, transfer to a bowl.

I'm one of those mystified by those who have trouble lathering MWF. I have moderately hard water yet it is among the easiest to lather for me and does not have a narrow "sweet spot" with respect to water content as some soaps do.

I have grated mine into stick form but upon reading your message I pulled a puck/mug out of storage that'd been there, Al foil covered, for at least two years. Odd thing - the soap was covered with tiny drops of clear, oily stuff, I think it was weaping lanolin. Anyway, I covered it with warm water & let soak for one minute while I soaked a brush too. I dumped out the water, shook out the brush to little more than damp, and face lathered on half my face, dipping the brush tip in water twice, again working it for one minute.



That's a Vulfix 2234, not a big brush at all and not the best for working in a mug.

I'd suggest trying distilled water, just to rule out the hard water as the culprit. If that doesn't work, there's nothing left to blame but technique or witchcraft. Good luck.



rs,
Tack

I definitely have some soaps that produce more dense lather in the bowl than when I use MWF, but I find that when I start applying it to the face it seems to either thicken up, or was just thicker than it appeared in the bowl. I also usually wet the puck with hot water and put the lid on it, then let it sit on the sink while I take a hot shower, which helps prep the soap nicely.

I don't think you will have the same problems with MDC. MDC is pretty easy to lather and it doesn't take much to make enough lather for 3 passes. With about a dozen swirls with a brush on MDC is enough to make enough lather.

I worked on a puck of MWF for a few weeks and had mixed but acceptable results. Then I performed my monthly brush cleaning, the planets began to line up, and the lather was better but not equal to my creams. I concluded it was likely operator error.

For the record, yes, we have hard water. No, I don't use a pre-shave, and yes, I have more creams than hard soaps. For me, Martin de Candre lathers wonderfully, provides a predictably smooth shave, rinses cleanly and lasts a long time if you keep the lid off the container per the instructions. Also, it smells like the great shave soap that it is! A winner in my house!

Originally Posted by kwlfca

Try attempting to build lather on the puck itself, then once it's almost there, transfer to a bowl.

That is basically what I do too. Swirl the brush in cold water, shake out the excess and load the brush for a good while. Wet just the tips of the brush and load some more till it starts to build some lather on the puck. Then start to face lather adding a little water as needed with the tips.

Bob

I've had exactly the same problem as our water here in Loughborough is hard. Fill a sink with water add 1/8th teaspoon of citric acid this will bring the ph back to neutral. Don't be afraid of the word acid as citric acid is used in food preparation and in those fizzing bath bombs.
Alternatively add just a tiny pinch to a mug of water then soak brush and lather this cured my lather problems with all soaps! Also you should notice a big reduction in soap scum around your washbasin which will also help your drain to flow more freely, so plenty of wins for not much money. If you try this let us know how it works for you.

Originally Posted by Anthony1954

I've had exactly the same problem as our water here in Loughborough is hard. Fill a sink with water add 1/8th teaspoon of citric acid this will bring the ph back to neutral. Don't be afraid of the word acid as citric acid is used in food preparation and in those fizzing bath bombs.
Alternatively add just a tiny pinch to a mug of water then soak brush and lather this cured my lather problems with all soaps! Also you should notice a big reduction in soap scum around your washbasin which will also help your drain to flow more freely, so plenty of wins for not much money. If you try this let us know how it works for you.

I'll give this a try...thanks for all the replies.

Originally Posted by BobH

That is basically what I do too. Swirl the brush in cold water, shake out the excess and load the brush for a good while. Wet just the tips of the brush and load some more till it starts to build some lather on the puck. Then start to face lather adding a little water as needed with the tips.
Bob

This, with soft or hard brushes, hot, warm or cold water. Always a great lather using my unsoftened well water.

Originally Posted by Anthony1954

I've had exactly the same problem as our water here in Loughborough is hard. Fill a sink with water add 1/8th teaspoon of citric acid this will bring the ph back to neutral. Don't be afraid of the word acid as citric acid is used in food preparation and in those fizzing bath bombs.

Gotta be the water. Citric acid powder from most pharmacies is also great, in dilution, to decalcify coffee pots, kettles and espresso gear.