Thread: Time for my "second" shaving soap ever

So my first shaving soap was a puck of VDH that got lost moving. The second was a no-name puck of soap (white label that just said "shave soap") that was lost down the toilet after one use thanks to my son, so I don't count it. That was replaced with a puck of VDH. So I finally saw the wooden bottom of my soap bowl on my last lathering which means it is just about time to acquire more soap. Since I need an alum block anyway, I shall be begging SWMBO to allow me a small SRD order. Based on everything I have read around the forum I have narrowed my choices down to three contenders: Tabac, Cella, and Mitchell's Wool Fat. I can only order one, so which should it be?

I've got both MWF & Tabac arriving today, so I'll give you a more-informed opinion tonight (I'm pretty excited!), but based on what I read before I ordered the two I think MWF may be your better bet.

While some folks seem to have a little difficulty getting a good lather from MWF, there's correspondingly a ton of advice on how to do so - and I haven't read anyone who's said, after some experimentation, that they flat out couldn't get a good lather from it. So it looks eminently doable, despite the learning curve. On the other hand, there are lots people who say that, despite its amazing performance, they absolutely can't stand the scent of Tabac. So if you can only order one, it seems that MWF is a safer bet just in case you wind up in the haters camp on Tabac. (Though if you're already familiar with the Tabac scent, and don't object to it, then that may be a better choice, since it's supposedly super-easy to lather).

I have no opinion on Cella. Good reports, but I'm experimenting with hard soaps right now and haven't got around to it.

All decent choices.
That said, the MWF is, imho, among the very finest shaving soaps out there.

MWF will always be in my rotation. My wife uses it also.

voted Mitchell's wool fat.
couldn't decide on which one I was going try so I ordered both the tabac and Mitchell's. now i have enough soap to last me ages.

Cant comment on them though, only ordered hours ago,so its a waiting game now.

I've tried both. Both seem to lather the same for me and both smell soapy, in a good way. To me, MWF smells like a clean laundry smell though and I like it better. I use MWF most days.

Voted MWF. Received both this evening, and shaved with Tabac. It's going to take some getting used to :-)

Doesn't really matter which is next, just that you eventually try all 3.

I voted for Cella but you probably can't go wrong with any of those choices. I love the scent and performance of Cella though.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Doesn't really matter which is next, just that you eventually try all 3.

And eventually I'm certain I shall. Plus by the time I have had a chance to sample all three SWMBO will likely be making all the household soaps again. I'll need to have experienced something good for comparison. Unfortunately, I can only order one this go round.