Thread: MWF

Mitchell's Wool Fat (MWF) is a shaving treat, period!!! I started using it after one of the testers for The Bomb recommended it to me. I find it to lather very well. It is thick, creamy and plentiful as only a few can be. When conditioning is considered, MWF is perhaps the best I have used so far. Besides The Bomb, I find only Castle Forbes to be in the same category, as Jimmy said. I have not encountered problems lathering MWF although I find previous comments also to be true: MWF seems to require more water than most soaps, which could make reaching the peak of the soap, somewhat harder. Once the peak is reached, this soap provides both exceptional cushion and above average glide for me without complicated solutions involving bottled and hot water, etc.

I would agree that it is not the slickiest one of the bunch but not bad in my opinion by any stretch of the imagination. I also like the subtle baby powder like scent. Just for confirmation purposes, this soap leaves more residue in my sink as well. One more thing is that it also takes longer to lather than my other soaps and creams but this is a small price to pay for shaving with such a treat.

Based on my experience alone, I would say that if you find these problems while using MWF, you probably have not found the peak of the soap. Away from the peak, MWF does not perform nearly as well. I find that reaching the peak of the soap is essential to obtain optimal lather. Please, give it another try with all these comments in mind and post your experience. I second Jimmy's comment about Castle Forbes being an alternative, if you must find one. And please, do yourself a favor, do not load the brush for 20 or more seconds, you could shave a platoon with that amount (to copy the wise words of another member). We are all different and we like different things, this is probably the reason for the discrepancies... ;-), good thread!

Al raz.

Originally Posted by captainboog

I have been using MWF and my skin loves it. The only problem that I have with it is that I nick myself much more often when using it. I think it doesn't really lather thick enough. I solved this problem by putting the MWF on and letting it sit a bit. I then cover it with a layer of proraso shaving cream. That thickens it right up.

While the process works, the whole thing is a bit tedious. I'd really like to just find a single product to use instead. Any advice on which soap is most like MWF (ie good for sensitive skin, very moisturizing, nice mild smell) with a little more protection?

I just had my first shave with MWF, abd I loved it! I use a Schwarzweisskeramik Scuttle filled with HOT water and I used just a small dollop of Caswell-Massey Sandalwood shave cream and it made a very satisfying mound of lather. I had no problems with nicks or razor drag. Now I am a BIG fan of Ogallala Bay Rum shave soaps but this is most likely a close second if not equal to OBR. You know, the scent is very pleasent, bordering on addictive! Great stuff!!! Just don't overload your brush. I also use a Stephens Woodworking 24mm Silvertip brush. I tried an Alteese Best Badger brush and didn't get as good of results. I am truly a Wool Fat Fan now!

So after figuring out that I everytime I try the MWF alone I also try using my other razor, I tried the MWF alone with my main razor. As I said, my other razor has always been harsh on my skin.

Using the MWF alone with the main razor was a nice shave. I've tried it a few times since then with good results. I do, however, still like a tiny bit of shaving cream added to the mix. Adding the shaving cream doesn't really seem to add much to the body of the soap, but it does seem to stabilize it better. I take quite a while shaving, and the MWF alone does seem to lose a bit from start to finish.

My skin (very sensitive) loves the MWF, so even if I keep having to add a bit of cream to it, I am going to continue using the MWF.