A week with Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap.

After a year of using Trumpers shaving creams and the past 2-3 months of using a straight, I finally bought my first shaving soap, Mitchell's wool fat. I'd read all the threads i could find both here and on B&B so I was expecting it to be a little more difficult to lather up than a cream. After a week of using it, here's what I've found.

It's a great soap, very moisturising, leaves my skin feeling good and with little irritation.

It takes quite a lot of swirling a pre-soaked but squeezed dry brush to get a decent load of soap onto the brush.

The lather it whips up is much more porous than that from a cream, it seems to be much more aerated, full of tiny bubbles and doesn't seem to have as much cushion or be as slick as a cream but it does give me a smooth shave.

It tends to decay faster. Usually when I use a cream I whip up the lather in a bowl, lather up my face and put the brush and any excess lather into my moss scuttle. usually good for 3 passes. With the MWF by the time I go for the second pass, the lather has faded to a very light and almost non-existant foam and I have to add more soap to the brush.

I've experimented with varying the water content from little to lots and it doesn't seem to make much difference, although too much water does seem to thin it out even further.

I like this soap but I'm wondering how other people find the lather when compared to a cream or another soap once you've got used to creating it. I have some Tabac coming in the next couple of weeks which will be an interesting comparison.

Cheers,

J.

I think it's the same as Kent's soap which I have used and don't recollect as memorable.

Having said this many swear by these soaps and think they are the best. Some like the thinner soaps. Me, I like rich creamy long lasting sweet smelling protective soaps and there are plenty about which lather up easily. Many of the "Old English" suppliers and many French soaps are excellent. You really have to keep on trying until you find your favorite.

I have used Tobac and it is a wonderful lather, great value for money but you have to like the scent which is strong and you either love it or hate it. If you like the scernt you may never need to try another soap.

I've settled on two favorites that give a rich creamy lasting lather. That's Trumpers Rose and Floris JF. I've got some AOS Sandalwood on the way and I have great expectations. Unfortunately all three of these soaps are a little pricier than many other soaps and so I usually buy in bulk when I see a deal. Most pucks of a quality soap will last three months with a daily shave, so I don't see any reason to cheapskate on what is after all a shaving bargain compared to canned chemical gook.

Hello Justin,
I find MWF to be a really good soap. The lather tends to decay if I'm taking a really long time shaving, but I think this is consistent with any soap/cream. There are some people who would recommend nothing else, but I won't go that far as to saying it's that good. I've tried a few glycerin soaps made by QED, and Tryphon. I find myself going to Tryphon soaps over woolfat, but I really like both. I hear Mama Bear, and TGQ make good soaps to.

Mitchell's is far better if you face lather. Lovely stuff.

I used to use a bowl but these day I far prefer face lathering even with creams. Why waste all that energy rattling round a bowl when you could be doing it on the face and getting the benefit?

Gareth

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Originally Posted by mr_magicfingers

The lather it whips up is much more porous than that from a cream, it seems to be much more aerated, full of tiny bubbles and doesn't seem to have as much cushion or be as slick as a cream but it does give me a smooth shave.

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Exactly my experience. I never liked it because of the thin, airy lather it produces.

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Originally Posted by mr_magicfingers

I like this soap but I'm wondering how other people find the lather when compared to a cream or another soap once you've got used to creating it. I have some Tabac coming in the next couple of weeks which will be an interesting comparison.

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For me, Tabac produces a much denser, richer lather that's quite similar to what I get from a good cream.

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Originally Posted by Galopede

Mitchell's is far better if you face lather.

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+1 on this.. i do this with most of my soaps now.. probably gonna switch to shaving sticks, but MWF should explode on your face if you rub it into your wet face right from the puck, then hit it with a wet brush.. one of my favorite soaps to use to introduce people to wetshaving.

i think MWF is great IF - you don't want a overly fragrant soap..its almost like baby powder. also if you have very sensitive skin i think its probably the best for that.

i also don't overly enjoy the lather it produces. i have helped correct this by lathering on my face as well. i do that with all soaps now and like it much better as i prefer very thick lather.

i put hot water in the soap while i shower
get out of shower
soak/wet my brush
shake alot of the water out with a few firm flicks
dump the water out of the soap and put about a teaspon of hot water back on top
work the brush into the soap alot (30/40 spins - this is key for great thick lather)
then go right to my face and swirl/pump on my cheek to produce the lather

i found this way to make the best lather for both MWF and Tabac. i never liked my tabac lather until i did this and now its fantastic. huge difference.

the key is less water in the brush when loading and adding water via the teaspon you put on top of the soap only to the tips of the brush while loading the soap. you can add a couple drops more if you find it to be not enough but it will usually be plenty after you pump/swirl on your cheek to make the lather.

~J

Like any of the soaps or cremes there is a learning curve to MWF. Unfortunately MWF like a couple of others has a steeper curve which turns many away from it. I do build my lather primarily in a bowl, once in a while on my face. Hard or soft water make a difference in how a soap responds. Some of them seem to hate hard water so much that they don't work at all. I have been going through the list of preferred soaps and cremes and have found that MWF works very well for me. My trick is basically what is suggested at B&B with a twist. First I fill my sink with HOT water and submerge my bowl and brush. If I am using a soap (especially hard soaps) I put close to a tablespoon of the HOT water on the soap. We just missed the twist....I grated my soap. The soap collectors seem to find interesting containers to put their soaps in. To obtain the best fit you grate them and press them in. This has also been given as a way to make better suds by someone somewhere online and as far as I can tell it does. Anyway the soap softens while I am showering and is ready for me when I get out. I drain the sink, refill it with more HOT water, empty the bowl and float it, empty the soap of liquid into the bowl, and flick my brush dry. The I stick the brush into the soap container and stir. I'm not being nice to the brush either....I pump the brush while stirring until the brush has every last bit of soap that it will grab, and all that is left is for the most part dry soap. I then start building lather....first with the liquid from the soap only. Then as the lather becomes dry (thick and sticky on the bottom of the bowl) I add say a teaspoon of HOT water and I return stirring. Note I keep saying stirring NOT whipping. Whipping causes big fluffy lather with BIG bubbles and it is inferior lather. Stirring adds air as well but you get smaller bubbles and a better lather. Also don't just go in circles try back and forth as Kent says you should do. You might be amazed at the different effects you get when you do different things with the brush. Pumping is a great one as well....I stir and add water until the lather is how I want it, shiny, thick and full of moisture. I used my Kents/MWF on Sunday and with a Savile Row 3118 I put around 3-4 teaspoons of water in. The lather with my HARD water was thick, dense and slick. It reminds me of Cool Whip which doesn't taste as good. ;)

I have found (YMMV) that the hard soaps work better for me. They create a thicker richer more comfortable lather than the glycerin based soaps. The Glycerin soaps however come in a great number of scents and many times cost quite a bit less. My collection includes Kent/MWF, Provence Sante', Institute Karite, SCS Aspect, Tabac, QED B&B, QED Fresh Lime, MB Dragons Blood, MB Sweet Vetiver, MB Lavender & Vanilla, HBS Cedarwood Amber, HBS Bay Rum, HBS Oceania, HBS Yuzu. as of today those are my soaps.I need to get at least one Penhaligan's and one Floris....ok add a Dr. Harris or two, T&H, Olivia's, Volabra, Pre De Province, The Gentlemen’s Quarter, GOLD-DACHS and Taylors....of course I missed a few and that's just soaps.....ain't AD grand?

Thank you all for the very interesting replies, it'll certainly give me some more things to experiment with.

Jscott, do you actually fill the soap container with water while you shower and then empty it out? I've been putting a little water on the the soap but not heard anyone say they fill the container.

Thanks again,

Justin.

yes. I put the water right into the container. now I should note that all my soaps are in secure fitting containers. like how u receive a QED soap...that's what I mean.

I put quite a bit of water in there while I shower. I figure more water mean longer retaining its heat to soften the soap for easier loading.

yes you may use up the soap slightly faster. but I have so many and they last long enough for me to want to try a new one. I don't mind losing a bit while soaking.

-J

MWF is one of my go-to soaps, among the top 5 in rotation. I havent had the difficulty some folks have with this (or any other good soap) in regards to lathering. Get the brush soaked in hot water and whirl it on the puck, lather on the face. If the lather is thin, whirl the brush on the puck some more, if its too thick add a little water. The water may have an affect on it, maybe Ive been lucky with that.

Dave

I'm a big fan of MWF soap. . . I was frustrated at first with the lather, but the more I used it the easier I got an optimal lather from it - meaning a dense protective lather. I used MWF every day for over two months, and honestly, the lather I can whip up with it is on par with any cream I've tried. . . and it takes me under a minute to get it. Keep at it, play around with air/water/soap ratios and try lathering directly on your face.

I just got my first mwfs on bowl which is real nice. As for the soap it is super slick, and the lather is exallant. I just think if you have a good high end brush you will get as good as lather a soap can give .I for one will be using this soap regular, along side my taylors and tobac soap. 10/10

I love both Tabac and MWF. If you have trouble with the latter, you might check your water hardness, or scuttle temperature (too high). It should be easy to lather.

Justin,

I had the same problem of lather stability with MWF.

If you add a pea sized dollop of shaving cream (I use Musgo Real), it stabilises the lather nicely.

have fun !

best regards

Russ

I was recently treated to a puck of MWF by the venerable hoglahoo, which I duly reviewed: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...tml#post546114. Great for face lathering, and I cannot say I have experienced problems to the one mentioned by the critics so far. I very much sounds like problems with temperature and hardness of the water used.

Regards,
Robin

I've just used MWF for the first time today and I really like it! The scent is not too strong, but is fresh and clean.

I do see your point about the lather, it doesnt seem as thick as Tabac for example, but it really thickened up when I worked it into my face with the brush.

It gave great results, and added a good amount of slickness and glide to the shave. This is one that, when it runs out, I will definately replace! :)

I'm a long term MWF user and I rate it very highly indeed. It is a bit temperamental, but for my money it beats the easier lathering Tabac hands down. Here's a few observations:
1) It doesn't seem to like hard water. It works fine with mine, as well it might since I live just down the road from where they make it.
2) Face lathering is the way to go - the lather does not degrade in the brush. A badger is much better for retaining lather than a boar in my experience.
3) Load the brush with plenty of soap, then load it some more. Then a bit more for luck.
4) Whatever you do, don't let it dry out. The best way to avoid that is to use it regularly, it improves if you do.
5) Add water conservatively as there's definitely a point when the lather goes downhill drastically if you overdo the hydration. Rinsing between passes is enough to tip it over the edge if it's already too slack.
6) Persevere. Unless you're cursed with very hard water it is worth the effort as the soap is particularly suitable for straight shaving - plenty of protection and cushion.

I think in the scheme of things considering soaps only not creams the triple milled soaps like trumpers and harris and some others are at the top of the heap. I think Mitchell's isn't quite in that league but is still a high quality soap.

i load my damp brush with mwf and then i put a little tebac in my scuttle add a little water and whip up my go to lather!!!

Mantic made an awesome video on how to get the most out of this soap. Check it out.

YouTube - How To Lather Mitchell's Wool Fat Shave Soap

I mostly lurk nowadays, but wanted to say thank you to the OP and all of you who gave advice. I've had the same troubles with MWF. (For the longest time I thought MWF stood for Monday Wednesday Friday.) But now I'm very excited about giving it another try. And I've decided to dedicate myself to it for one full month. I can't wait!

Anyway...thank you, everyone. I really mean it. Thank you.

Christopher

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Originally Posted by jscott

i put hot water in the soap while i shower
get out of shower
soak/wet my brush
shake alot of the water out with a few firm flicks
dump the water out of the soap and put about a teaspon of hot water back on top
work the brush into the soap alot (30/40 spins - this is key for great thick lather)
then go right to my face and swirl/pump on my cheek to produce the lather

i found this way to make the best lather for both MWF and Tabac. i never liked my tabac lather until i did this and now its fantastic. huge difference.

the key is less water in the brush when loading and adding water via the teaspon you put on top of the soap only to the tips of the brush while loading the soap. you can add a couple drops more if you find it to be not enough but it will usually be plenty after you pump/swirl on your cheek to make the lather.

~J

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My experience as well. Before lathering for the next pass, I dip the tip of my boar bristle brush into the sink, swirl in the mug, then apply it to my wet face. No problems with thick lather here.

My results with a badger brush and MWF were mediocre, but a boar brush makes it really come alive.

I love MWF myself, here is what I do.

Put hot water in soap mug with brush and let it sit while I shower.
Take brush out, give it one solid flick and dump the water out of the mug. (the one flick leaves perfect amount of water for lather)
Load it for 10-15 seconds.
Lather on face.

If I need to relather, I dip the tip in warm/hot water and that provides enough extra moisture to let the lather build properly again.

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Originally Posted by markevens

I love MWF myself, here is what I do.

Put hot water in soap mug with brush and let it sit while I shower.
Take brush out, give it one solid flick and dump the water out of the mug.
Load it for 10-15 seconds.
Lather on face.

If I need to relather, I dip the tip in warm/hot water and that provides enough extra moisture to let the lather build properly again.

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That sounds smart... I wonder why I never thought of that. If you use a mug for the soap you can soak the brush and soften the soap at the same time.

First time I used a mug I thought it was to small to lather in. But if used like you recommend then face lather it seems like a great way to go.

I am going to try it out!

Thank you,
--Shoki

just ran across this thread and figured it would be a good idea to give some of our newer members the chance to try mitchell's wool fat.. i will gladly send a sample sized chip of my mitchell's wool fat to anyone who sends me a PM with their mailing address.. i only have one puck and hardly use it.. i'm sure i could send out at least 20 slivers...

so.. anyone who is interested in trying mitchell's wool fat.. please send me a PM..

mitchells wool fat is great. definitely one of the shaving world bargains....at about $15 shipped, this soap works exactly like it should..scent reminds me of dryer sheets which is neither good or bad...just a nice thick lathering soap.....i didnt splurge on the ceramic dish though.

I have a hard time understanding that folks have trouble getting MWF to lather. I use cold water and face lather with different brushes having badger, boar or synthetic hair and all seem to produce a good lather. I don't soak the puck nor leave water on top to soften it. I just wet my brush in the cold water, shake the excess out and load the brush with a fairly dry brush. Wet just the tips, shake and load some more. Apply the loaded brush to my wet face and build a lather adding water as needed. Seems to work with all the creams and soaps I have tried so far. I wonder if the difficulty is partially a water quality problem?

Bob

i decided to add some proraso cream to my MWF and create a superlather today.

wow....great thick lather from mitchells and a nicer scent from the proraso.


really nice stuff.

I´ll never get to the point where I´ll mix MWF with other soaps or creams.
I find it to be the perfect all-round soap, neither pungent, nor boring.
Scuttle, MWF, lukewarm Water and badger - I´m a satisfied man...

If you want more 'stiffness' when loading up the soap and your brush happens to be soft (like silver tip badger) then a trick I found is to grip your brush like a stick shift and put your finger tips on the base of the bristles squeezing them just a bit and thus providing support to the bristles. This will give your soft bristles all of the advantages of the stiffer brushes when you need it.

After over a year of wet shaving, I finally tried the "FAT". I will use Tabac as my yardstick. Appearance wise, Tabac makes a beautiful lather...thick, well defined peaks, and wonderful denseness with no airpockets. With a tad more work, MWF looks to be about 75% of what I achieve with Tabac. However after the shave, my face not only felt "non irritated", it felt invigorated. It's been about 2 hours since the shave (one of the closest I've ever achieved), and there is no creeping irritation, and the relaxed, supple feeling of my usual trouble areas has me faceturbating. I love you Tabac, but I may have found a new "best girl".