Tabac-Why So Good

I finished my initial puck that came with my kit from SRD and am trying some new soaps, particularly MWF and Tabac. In the past week or so I always get a super shave with Tabac. I even really like the smell. Lathers perfectly for me every time.

The MWF, not so much. I have a harder time getting it to lather and the performance just does not live up to all the hype but I find myself wanting it to work and will keep experimenting with it. Maybe it is just my technique. I use a skuttle but seems like I really develop the lather on my face. Really like the ceramic container but not sure it will always have MWF in it. If it matters I'm using a Thater 4292/5 dual band silver tip brush, great brush, by the way.

I am sure that I will always have a puck of Tabac going and can't imagine how a soap could be better. Just no clue as to why it's so good.

Soap certainly must be one of those YMMV but I really can't say enough about how well it is working for me.

MWF is a much harder soap than Tabac. It takes much more effort to load the brush. Once the brush is loaded, it works very well.

My tip for working with MWF is:
1) Load for a minute. When you think you're done, load for 30 s more.
2) Use a good brush (a modern synthetic works well). Most brushes with decent backbone will also work.

Finally, MWF rewards regular use. As it gets slightly hydrated (from use), it becomes easier to produce a lather from it.

Properly used, MWF will produce an excellent lather. I've used it with hard water, soft water, and everything in between and it always produces a good lather.

That being said, it's not going to be to everyone's taste. My suggestion is to approach it with the attitude that it's GOING to work! Once you get it to lather really well, at that point you can decide whether you like it or not.

Also, I want to second your evaluation of Tabac - it is an excellent soap (if you like the scent). I'm almost done with a puck of it, and I will certainly replace it.

I agree with you totally with the MWF. As for the Tabac, I have never tried it but I have ordered a puck and it hasn't arrived yet. Can hardly wait though, the reviews are always good on it.

I have both MWF and Tabac in my rotation and much prefer the Tabac. Nothing wrong with MWF except I find, like the OP, it is finicky to lather. Won't ever be without Tabac. If you like Tabac's scent get the AS and EDT too. You'll be styling old school then.

Bob

Not sure about styling, but I've got old school down pretty well.

I just got my first tub of Tabac yesterday. It lathers just fine but the scent could knock over an elephant. Just not worth all the hype in my humble opinion. In fact, I might be willing to trade it for three pucks of brand new, unused MWF.

I have found that lathering MWF directly on my face works perfectly after loading the brush up heavy. MWF is my go to soap. Very light fragrance that doesn't interfere with my Ogallala bay rum.

My MWF solution was to just leave it in a mug. I load the brush until I start getting some lather buildup in the mug, add a little bit of water to the tips of the bristles, load up a little more, and then face lather. I put the brush into the mug while shaving, and usually wet the tips of the bristles and load a little more when I need to relather. And for all that, I cannot see the puck getting any smaller. It seems to me like it's a hard soap that also needs a fair bit of water.

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Originally Posted by RFP357

I just got my first tub of Tabac yesterday. It lathers just fine but the scent could knock over an elephant. Just not worth all the hype in my humble opinion. In fact, I might be willing to trade it for three pucks of brand new, unused MWF.

I have found that lathering MWF directly on my face works perfectly after loading the brush up heavy. MWF is my go to soap. Very light fragrance that doesn't interfere with my Ogallala bay rum.

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Yup, the deal breaker for Tabac and those who don't like it is usually the strong scent as well as the scent itself. Plenty of posts on here to that effect.

Plenty of posts on here also about people having trouble getting MWF to lather. There is no doubt it will produce a good lather but for some it is just a bit finicky to get it to do so. Oth most don't seem to mention Tabac as being finicky to lather. For sure MWF has a light scent, very subdued compared to Tabac.

Both soaps are hyped if you want to call well regarded hyped. I won't be trading my puck of MWF but I am not so sure I'll order another one though.

Some how I wound up with 2 different Bay Rum after shaves and I don't care for the scent of either of them. Plenty of people think Bay Rum is a classic after shave, go figure.

Heck of a good thing that there is plenty of choice out there.

Bob

IMO, to get the most out of MWF using a Victorian style scuttle or the like goes a long way. I had issues with it until I went with my Wade England scuttle where I can dunk and wet the brush as frequently as I wish. MWF and the advent of Victorian scuttle are contemporaries, coincidence? Maybe.

Gentlemen,
I have had Mitchell's Wool Fat and Tabac in the shave den for a long time. Both are good soaps and I like everything about them, from fragrance to lather. Also, Mitchell's Wool Fat has never been a lather problem for me. I just load the brush well and swirl in the lather bowl, adding water as needed, and get fine lather every time.

Today, I soaked my puck of MWF for just a little bit before the shave and it was a whole new experience, not sure what I will use tomorrow but was very happy with how the MWF performed today. Still not as good as Tabac, but pretty nice. I can see both staying as standbys. Thanks again, yohannrjm.

Tabac is still in my short list of favorites, MDC , Castle Forbes , Institute Karrite, then Tabac, two on the expensive side and two on the inexpensive side , but I have never had a bad lather with Tabac, I pair it with the EDT and come away with a nice shave tc

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Originally Posted by apipeguy

Today, I soaked my puck of MWF for just a little bit before the shave and it was a whole new experience, not sure what I will use tomorrow but was very happy with how the MWF performed today. Still not as good as Tabac, but pretty nice. I can see both staying as standbys. Thanks again, yohannrjm.

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Thats the trick. I find if I use a little warm water to soak my MWF whilst I face prep then drain the water and load my brush for 60 secs then the lather produced is both copious and outstanding.

Neither Tabac or MWF have ever failed to produce a great lather. As TC said, they are not MdC or Castle Forbes, but their price is a lot less.

My tub of Tabac showed up, and I've used it for my last 2 shaves. Love it, & will now always be in my rotation. It smells good, and most of all it's easy to lather, producing a full cushion that actually gets better with every pass. IMO, it performs a lot like Proraso.

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Originally Posted by Firefighter2

My tub of Tabac showed up, and I've used it for my last 2 shaves. Love it, & will now always be in my rotation. It smells good, and most of all it's easy to lather, producing a full cushion that actually gets better with every pass. IMO, it performs a lot like Proraso.

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Glad you liked it. Now go get the aftershave and EdT. Well, that is if they still ship into the Orange province. ;):angel: Just kidding.

Bob

I haven't used Tabac Soap but with MWF I've always found it to be a great latherer. The trick is to use a bit more water than you usually do and make sure it's hot. It loads up better that way.

Try flooding the MWF container with warm water and let it set overnight. I had the same issue with it and could not understand what everybody saw in the soap.

In the morning drain off all the water and lather. Once a week or so leave a bit of water in the soap depression, to keep it moist.

Still not a fan of the sent, though.

BobH -- My wife thinks Bay Rum smells like Raid bug spray. Needless to say, I have passed it on to others :ziplip:

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Originally Posted by BobH

Glad you liked it. Now go get the aftershave and EdT. Well, that is if they still ship into the Orange province. ;):angel: Just kidding.

Bob

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Haha! I will have to order the aftershave because I can't find it anywhere here! Hopefully it shows up.....;)

I have the Tabac shave cream and have had no luck lathering with it. I understand that the soap is a better experience. I too am not fond of the scent.

Hey though, YMMV!

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Originally Posted by apipeguy

I finished my initial puck that came with my kit from SRD and am trying some new soaps, particularly MWF and Tabac. In the past week or so I always get a super shave with Tabac. I even really like the smell. Lathers perfectly for me every time.

The MWF, not so much. I have a harder time getting it to lather and the performance just does not live up to all the hype but I find myself wanting it to work and will keep experimenting with it. Maybe it is just my technique. I use a skuttle but seems like I really develop the lather on my face. Really like the ceramic container but not sure it will always have MWF in it. If it matters I'm using a Thater 4292/5 dual band silver tip brush, great brush, by the way.

I am sure that I will always have a puck of Tabac going and can't imagine how a soap could be better. Just no clue as to why it's so good.

Soap certainly must be one of those YMMV but I really can't say enough about how well it is working for me.

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If you grate MWF then pack it into a pack it into a cup sized pyrex bowl, it turns into a beast. If I don't use this approach, I don't get good results from it either. Like you, I think Tabac is the bomb.