Thread: MDC or Xpec new formula?

Simple question. Which to choose. Enjoyed original Xpec. Never had mdc or the new Xpec formula. I'm looking to replace a top shelf cream/soap. So suggestions please. Performance is more important than scent, as I wear cologne.

I recently purchased both soaps. There expensive but will last a long time. I've used the MDC at least eight times and its still at the top of the glass container. As always YMMV but I'm beginning to prefer the MDC over the XPEC.

I have and really like MdC.

Never had the old XPEC

Have the new XPEC. It is OK but the four lathers I have made were nothing to knock my socks off.

Expected XPEC to be like the MdC brush loading where you wave the brush at the top of the jar and have enough lather to shave a goat. Just kidding, I do about 8 light swirls on MdC for plenty of lather.

The new XPEC took about 20 swirls to get enough lather for a good one pass. I do have soft water.

The shave with XPEC was good but not on par with MdC. JMHO. YMMV.

Originally Posted by rolodave

I have and really like MdC.

Never had the old XPEC

Have the new XPEC. It is OK but the four lathers I have made were nothing to knock my socks off.

Expected XPEC to be like the MdC brush loading where you wave the brush at the top of the jar and have enough lather to shave a goat. Just kidding, I do about 8 light swirls on MdC for plenty of lather.

The new XPEC took about 20 swirls to get enough lather for a good one pass. I do have soft water.

The shave with XPEC was good but not on par with MdC. JMHO. YMMV.

That's a shame really.
They must have changed the recipe then, because the old formula had absolutely no problems whatsoever with keeping up with MdC.
None.

IIRC, in Lynn's video, he mentioned the loading of the new XPEC was a bit more lengthy than the old XPEC.

OLD formula XPec was a far better soap/cream than MDC in my opinion. I'd hate to find out that they ruined it.

Gentlemen,

Martin de Candre is soap and X-pec cream. Soaps and creams load and lather differently and, therefore, I do not compare them; rather, I take each for its own merit.

Is Martin de Candre better than X-pec, or X-pec better than Martin de Candre? Better in what way? Each has its own characteristics, and each stands on its own. Is the old X-pec better than the new? Some say yes and some no. I have noticed some difference, although it is not significant enough to make an issue out of it.

For me, Martin de Candre is the hallmark of the great soaps. I don't compare any soap to it, because Martin de Candre belongs in its own class — it is celestial. In creams, Castle Forbes is the hallmark of the great creams. I don't compare anything to it either, because it, too, belongs in its own class — celestial.

Everything else falls below.

If I were to have just one soap and one cream, Martin de Candre and Castle would fill the slots perfectly.

A soap artisan on another forum pointed out the fact that MdC and the new Unscented XPEC cream use the same 7 or so ingredients. He deduced that the new formulation XPEC is, essentially, a cream version of MdC. Now that may be simplistic, but not far from the truth. I agree with Obie in that they are both excellent for what they are....one being a soap and the other a cream. That being said, I own both and prefer MdC. I also prefer the older version of unscented XPEC to the updated version. On my skin, the older version is slicker, without any other major differences.

Big,

Thanks for your thoughts — and good thoughts, too. I read that comparison between Martin de Candre and X-pec by the soap artisan — I forget the forum — and agree with you on his assumptions being simplistic. The two products may use essentially the same ingredients — I don't know — but his comments preclude the soap maker's touch and feel in producing his or her product. Two honemeisters will use the same razor, stones and honing sequence, but I am sure there will be a difference in the results — because each honemeister has his own distinct touch. The true artist, whether a writer, painter or soap maker, will always create his work in his own vision.

The ingredients:

MdC
Stearic acid, Aqua, Coconut acid, Potassium hydroxide, Glycerin, aroma

New XPEC (unscented)
Stearic acid, Aqua, Coconut acid, Potassium hydroxide, Glycerin, Potassium cocoate, Palmitic acid, Myristic acid, Nucifera oil

Does anyone have the old XPEC ingredients?