MWF -vs- TABAC

So, I have been wanting to try both of these for a while, but have had too many soaps to allow my fingers to click buy now on a refill puck of either, to be housed within my stainless soap holder; however an opening has come up within my rotation as I have decided to finally get rid of my virtually unused TOBS sandalwood soap.

(PM within the next couple of days and you can have it for postage - otherwise its destined for the bin).

I may well end up buying both Tabac and MWF, but in the mean time I wish to share the experiences of members who have made the wise choice of trying both.

Not to be rude, but I am fully aware these are both excellent, so please dont post stuff like, 'Ive tried Tabac and its awesome, get it, you wont regret it!' Rather, I want the contrasts and the comparisons and which YOU find better and why.

I know what Tabac smells like, as I once ordered a sample of their cream.

Looking forward to hearing your experiences and making my decision.

Thanks

Tabac is easier to lather, but MWF is the most moisturizing soap i've used.

I like the aroma of Tabac and it lathers well for me. Good lube and cushion. A fine soap but I've gotten into the habit of putting a dab of cream in the bowl too. MWF has virtually no aroma that my pipe smoker's nose can detect. Because of this it is pretty much my default soap when I am mixing soap and cream.

I like a neutral soap so as not to have two conflicting aromas clashing or one, for example, lime overpowering the other. That said, used by itself I find MWF to be an excellent shaving soap and if I was going to buy one or the other it would be MWF hands down. Dropping a bit of water on top of the puck a few minutes before I lather makes it much easier for me to load the brush.

+1 Tabac is definately easier to lather. As you add the water to the MWF it goes from virtually dry to an explosion of lather to watery very fast, so you have to be careful how you add the water I've found.

The lanolin in the MWF makes the lather very slick and it has a lot of glide when you're shaving.

The Tabac is, IMHO anyway, the stronger scented of the two. The MWF has a real mix of scents like lavendar and patchouli (sp?), but it is a much milder scent.

The actual cake of soap of MWF feels much harder than Tabac as well, and I believe its harder to mill and put in another container.

I cant actually say which is better, I do really like them both. As and when they run out, I will replace both of them. I guess if someone twisted my arm, I'd go for MWF, but I wouldnt be happy about it..! :D

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Originally Posted by Stubear

The Tabac is, IMHO anyway, the stronger scented of the two. The MWF has a real mix of scents like lavendar and patchouli (sp?), but it is a much milder scent.

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:OTPoor me, I smoke tobacco pipes habitually and I can't smell many things. I detect no aroma in MWF while I can in Tabac and others. The real bummer for me is when I read posts where members describe the smell (usually earthy) of their hones. :( I've never yet been able to detect an aroma from a hone of any kind and I feel deprived. :boohoo:No I'm not going to quit smoking. :mace: I don't feel that deprived.

I think that it would not take long for people from both camps to express their preference. To be honest, I like both, but I much prefer Mitchell's Wool Fat (MWF). I do not think that there is much of a difference in the latherability of either one, if there are any differences, they are probably in the order of a few additional seconds of work, if that. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that MWF, as mentioned, is a bit harder. However, I get around this by adding a few drops of water to the soap while I am in the shower. I do like the smell of Tabac, I find it very pleasant although I must say that it was an acquired taste for me. I also appreciate the subtlety of the scent of MWF. I do not like particularly strong scents because they tend to irritate my skin but neither one of this bothers me in any way. The are where MWF takes off is the conditioning of the skin. While Tabac works farily well for me during the warmer months, in the winter, I tend not to use it because it leaves my skin feeling like a freshly tuned drum, nothing really severe that deserves additional comments; my skin is very sensitive anyway. The price in the US may be a bit of an issue as MWF is a bit more expensive but that may not be the case for you in the UK. All things considered, if I could only have one, it would be MWF because of its overall performance, with conditioning being the deciding factor, and by a large margin.

Al raz.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scipio

So, I have been wanting to try both of these for a while,
....
as I have decided to finally get rid of my virtually unused TOBS sandalwood soap.

(PM within the next couple of days and you can have it for postage - otherwise its destined for the bin).

I may well end up buying both Tabac and MWF, but in the mean time I wish to share the experiences of members who have made the wise choice of trying both.
.....
Looking forward to hearing your experiences and making my decision.

Thanks

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Both are wonderful.
I liked both well enough that I came back and
bought the super special bowl for both.

The fine fragrance of MWF is lost on many as it
is subtle and will not power through a shave den
full of aftershave, cologne and the wifes perfume.
The fragrance in Tabac is not as subtle but
I like it a lot. Neither makes me sneeze or gives me
a rash which is very important to me. Both build
a fine lather. Tabac may prove more responsive
if you have harder water than I do as the lather
almost jumps off the puck.

TOBS, Tabac, MWF == redhead, blond, brunette

All are super, love the one you are with.

You reckon TOBS is anywhere near on parr with Tabac & MWF?

Im getting rid of it as it doesn't provide me with great cushion or moisturising. My preference is for tallow based soaps.

So far I think its going to be MWF..Ill give it another few hours before I order though..

Thanks for your responses guys

Having been to the TOBS store and tried a couple of their soaps, I dont think they are as good as either MWF or Tabac.

Of the "London" stores, I think Trumpers do the best soaps, creams and colognes. This is just my opinion of course, but I just prefer the Trumpers scents and lather.

My dear Scipio:

I have used both Mitchell's Wool Fat and Tabac, and like both. I no longer have Tabac; I think I tired of it. Here are some random thoughts on how they perform for me, knowing they might be different for other gentlemen:

1. Tabac always gave me more luxurious lather that also spread with a smoother surface. Mitchell's Wool Fat I don't think matches the richness in Tabac's lather. Also MWF lacks the smoothness of the lather and tends to create little puffs of rich lather. I would compare the smoothness of the lather between the two soaps to asphalt and little hills. Tabac is asphalt and MWF little hills. Both will take you to the same place, though.

2. I like the fragrance of both, though Tabac's is much stronger. MWF has soft soapy fragrance which I find delightful.

3. MWF provides better cushion and glide than Tabac.

4. I am finishing up one puck of MWF and have one more left. After that, I will retire it.

5. Tabac and MWF are good soaps, but I have found better.

6. Two new soaps that impress me a great deal are Provence Sante Aloe Vera and Edwin Jagger Aloe Vera. Of course, I still like Turefitt & Hill's shave soap.

I hope this information helps. Please don't forget that all this is subjective.

Regards,
Obie

Ok the easiest way to make this decision is what can you afford. Tabac is far cheaper, comes in a nice jar with excellent fit. The MWF fit in the jar is terrible in my opinion. Tabac smell is not that great but does not offend me (I smell far worse at times). Tabac lathers up great with boar or badger brush, NWF takes a little more work. I can use a badger brush on either one, just hold the bristles to stiffen them up.

So what can you afford. I recommend just cough up the cash, they will not go to waste.


Crom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

My dear Scipio:

I have used both Mitchell's Wool Fat and Tabac, and like both. I no longer have Tabac; I think I tired of it. Here are some random thoughts on how they perform for me, knowing they might be different for other gentlemen:

1. Tabac always gave me more luxurious lather that also spread with a smoother surface. Mitchell's Wool Fat I don't think matches the richness in Tabac's lather. Also MWF lacks the smoothness of the lather and tends to create little puffs of rich lather. I would compare the smoothness of the lather between the two soaps to asphalt and little hills. Tabac is asphalt and MWF little hills. Both will take you to the same place, though....

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I was going to say this, and expected to be the only one. Tabacs lather really is very nice.

Really, you can't go wrong with either one, it really boils down to odor, or at least it does for me. MWF has none that I can smell, and tabac has what I consider to be a brash/crass smell. The fact that I still keep it around and use it at all is pretty much a testament to how well it works, but I do use the MWF much more often.

Just received a puck of MWF. Rapid postage by sheep lover, or sheep delight on ebay!

This definately has a floral scent to it that I have noted just by sniffing the puck. I havent yet tried it, waiting for tonight's shave. Will keep you posted.

i have both both nice soaps. i love the mitchells soap bowl. they both lather up fine. i prefer mitchell's. why it just seems better on my skin. I also like taylors soap. i will stick with mitchells and taylors .

Tabac wins.


Mwf is hard to lather and can fade on your face way too easily, imo. Plus tabac refills are about ten dollars.

Tabac lathered nicely for me but caused a strange reaction on my face. MWF takes the cake for me, pun intended.

Both Tabac and MWF are (so far) my 2 regular soaps.
I've tried TOBS and find it to irritate my skin a little.
Both Tabac and MWF suit my skin for some reason and provide me with a good lather. I don't have any problems getting a good creamy lather with MWF like some have experienced.
In fact, I'd say it lathers up faster than the Tabac does, but that could have a lot to do with the soft water we have here in Manchester.
Here's a pdf link for UK members who might like to know what the water is like in their area. Guide to UK Water Hardness

Love both of these soaps, but if I had to choose between the two, then I'd keep the MWF.

Thanks for all your replies. It seems MWF is the winner, as all except for one prefer it. That doesn't mean I am ignoring the one, far from it, but I have already received and used the MWF.

I can tell this puck is the type that lasts ages. Well over a year by impression upon first use.

Scent wise it is very soapy, with floral hints to it, although these become less apparent once the lather has settled and the shave is in progression.

I had no problem achieving a lather, despite the recent stories that have almost rendered MWF infamous for being difficult to lather, but this is not surprising as I am in the north of England near to where the soap was designed and produced.

I achieved a lather, but will work on it next time as I believe it could have been better. The moisturising was great, but the particular blade I was using could do with visiting the Escher.

All in all it is good soap, but I prefer a stronger scent and better cushion, the latter preference likely to be a result of inexperience with MWF rather than a criticism to its capability.

I can see why people mix this with creams. I think Castle Forbes lime would go very well, or Penhalligon's Blenheim Bouquet

Since i purchased a new denser brush(thater) I have not had any problems with MWF. I think the hardess of the puck is what throws people off it.

Anymore I use either MWF or Alraz's cream. I very rarely use anything else and have been slowly getting rid of other items.

Both Tabac and MWF are excellent soaps to shave with. Tabac is slightly more forgiving if you should add just a little to much water when making your lather. If you add too much water with MWF, your lather will be all but ruined. Nothing that adding a little more soap would cure, but with a litle experience, you get the knack of adding just the right amount of water. If that is accomplished, IMHO, the shave experience with MWF is just a little more satisfying than Tabac. Don't get me wrong, Tabac has a great, unique fragrance. Much more masculine of a scent, but MWF's softer fragrance seems to make the shave more relaxing. :shrug:

It's gratifying to see how well Wool Fat has done in this thread. To me it is the better soap, by quite a margin, but it can be difficult to lather particularly with hard water, and it has that unglamorous scent. Keep it in regular use and it will get better and better, but whatever happens, don't let it dry out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scipio

Just received a puck of MWF. Rapid postage by sheep lover, or sheep delight on ebay!

This definately has a floral scent to it that I have noted just by sniffing the puck. I havent yet tried it, waiting for tonight's shave. Will keep you posted.

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The smell fades. It'll be gone in about a month, new pucks have a strong scent.

I just got an awesome shave from MWF last night. I decided to use it because of this thread and see if my love for tabac made me blind. The lather lasted this time and the results were nice.

I may change my mind...

nah.

Tabac laterss far easier than mwf but once you get over that and used to it you will always have a good shave with it, tabac wins as i actually like the smaell better than mwf.

I tried MWF after buying a puck of the rebranded Kent-stuff in London. I had a hard time making lather out of the stuff, so I eventually binned the puck. The lather didn't impress me, too much work for mediocre results. Bye bye, MWF. To me, the stuff hardly made any lather at all.:boohoo: And I don't think I had hard water, because other soaps worked like a charm.

Suffice to say, I just bought my second bowl of Tabac. This stuff gives you one great shave after another. When shaving with a straight, it is assuring to know that you at least have one of the variables down right...:beer2:

I am sure glad I have the choice. Heck I just ordered some BertsBees
shaving soap. As a one time bee keeper I have to give it a try.
I do love my MWF though....

Today's second shave with MWF went far better. Rather than using it alone, I mixed it with Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet cream. The cream is great alone and has an awesome scent which I appreciate. It is a very good cream, but not quite as smooth as CF. MWF solved that problem and gave a very good shave.