Thread: MWF

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 get the same thing with MWF, but for me it's due to a complete and utter lack of slipperyness. No matter what I do it's like shaving on glue. I went over a year without any nicks, and every day I tried MWF I've gotten 2-3 nicks. I really, really !#%@##$ loathe the stuff - I would rather shave with plain old water and no soap at all than shave with MWF.

Unfortunately MWF is in a class of its own among shaving soaps when it comes to pampering your skin, due to the copious amounts of lanolin. But I don't use shaving soap or cream to make my skin soft; I use it to get a good shave, and for that MWF fails utterly.

I think asking for top-notch shaving qualities and top-notch skin care are really asking too much from one product. I just use whatever gives me a great shave (Penhaligons, Gold Dachs, Harris, Trumpers), and pamper my face afterwards with Harris Face Milk.

Gentlemen, if your lather is not of the right consistency it might very well be user error. I find the lather from MWF to be excellent, but it can be a bit finnicky in terms of water ratio. Try some tweaking of your technique...the fat is a fickle lover.

I agree. I've found you need to use quite a bit more water than with any other soap I have. I find it works very well, is thick and provides plenty of slip for me.

As far as a soap that treats my skill well, similar to MWF, but with a bit better results and easier to lather is Pre de Provence, got a good amount of shea butter and a nice clean soapy smell. Just a thought.

I like the MWF because it has no discernible aroma, to my nose anyhow. I use a bit of Salter's cream in a bowl, load the brush with MWF and create super lather. Plenty of slickness and cushion between the two. Another option is Castle Forbes Cedar and Sandalwood cream. It is so firm that I use this stuff as if it were a puck of soap. I can't get it to lather well any other way. That said, once accomplished it is wonderful lather IME.

Hi there,

It may be you haven't loaded up your brush quite enough, and that could be causing your lather problem. I usually give myself a good 20-25 seconds of swirling on the puck before doing anything else. I try and imagine the amount of shaving cream I need, and use about the same amount with a soap.

From there I partially mix the lather in a bowl, adding hot water a little at a time. It will take me a minute or so to get things right. If everything works as it should, I end up with a thick and protective lather. I agree with other members that it can be tricky, although not really any more than something like DR Harris or Institut Karite.

My brush is a small Shavemac 22mm silvertip, and it holds enough MWF lather for my 4+ passes without problem. Maybe play around with the soap a little more. I know a new soap/cream can often take me 3-4 attempts before hitting the sweet spot. Heh, with all these mostly excellent reviews about MWF, there's probably some truth to em.

Another soap I'd recommend would be the Institut Karite. Very light floral scent with plenty of protection and great skin care. I'll use that as part of my small regular rotation.

Anyway, maybe this'll help in some way,
Martin

I have experimented quite a bit with the MWF and have found that it does like quite a bit more water than anything else that I've tried. I've also noticed it works into a lather quite a bit better with very hot water (the water from the pot I steam my towel with works great).

Playing around with the amount of water and the temperature of the water for about four months, I have gotten the MWF much thicker than I thought possible after the first few attempts. However, the water quality around here changes relatively frequently, and my lather changes as a result. So I'm not really saying that I don't think MWF can't make a lather that can give a great shave, but that the fickle nature of it makes it difficult, and I end up nicking myself when it is on the thin side. As such, I am looking for some other options.

I may continue just using the MWF and a cream together. I have never nicked myself through the incredibly thick lather that the combo makes. I just want to try some other things to see if I really need to use two products. It would also be nice to have less to carry about when I travel. I've tried the Proraso cream alone on trips, and it dries my skin like crazy.

Hi,

I use MWF as one of my go-to soaps, and have found, as you have, that to get consistent, good, stable lather I need to add a pea sized dollop of shaving cream to stabilise the lather; I use Musgo Real for this as it too has lots of lanolin.

best regards

Russ

Yes, Try vintagebladesllc brand, Triple milled soap, good stuff, mild fragrance, great rich lather. You can always use a scuttle and add some Kiss my Face shave cream to the MWF, that'll thicken it up a bit and give you more protection...