Thread: 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..!

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.

Poor 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. No I'm not going to quit smoking. 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.

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

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