MWF conclusion

I think the majority of shavers who have problems with MWF are under loading the brush, it needs what you think is enough then a little bit more. Tabac is a hard soap but doesn't seem to need as much of a load for some reason, for me anyway. I used Tabac daily last week, every shave using a different brush was consistently good. Been using the fat all this week, slightly more variable lathers but today was as good as any artisan soap out there for me. The stuff is stellar when you nail it.
 
Maybe not enough soap and/or too much water?

MWF seems to have a "fools lather" if you add too much water in the beginning. It whips up fairly easily but it won't last. Not enough soap for the amount of water.

I started getting much better results by reducing the amount water at the start. A damp (not wet) brush (synthetic) then add a few drops of water at at time. Just enough to get soap off the puck. Although I'm being stingy with water at this stage I am trying to get a generous amount of soap onto the brush.

I face lather next, adding water in several stages, a little bit at a time. The video a few posts back is a great guide.

I've got to the point where my lather lasts OK but becomes dry before I'm finished. It's still white & creamy but starts to feel sticky instead of slick. A little more water should cure that.

In summary: MWF likes a drink but only in lots of little sips. Don't try to waterboard it into submission.

Disclaimer: still figuring this out so everything I say may be wrong.
 
Maybe not enough soap and/or too much water?
MWF seems to have a "fools lather" if you add too much water in the beginning. It whips up fairly easily but it won't last. Not enough soap for the amount of water.
I started getting much better results by reducing the amount water at the start. A damp (not wet) brush (synthetic) then add a few drops of water at at time. Just enough to get soap off the puck. Although I'm being stingy with water at this stage I am trying to get a generous amount of soap onto the brush.
I face lather next, adding water in several stages, a little bit at a time. The video a few posts back is a great guide.

Thanks for your suggestions! Yes, I liked the video above and will try to do precisely that.


There has Been More Threads in Worldwide Shaving Forums about Issues with MWF Soap than Any Other Soap..

Indeed. But there's still no 100% guide out there. Everyone (and his dog) has their own approach. Apparently, the thrill is just in that.

The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao
 
I am utterly gobsmacked that some seem to have a hard time lathering 'The Fat'. Having said that, I think it has always had a difficult reputation among some for its lathering performance. On the other hand, many wet shaving veterans consider it to be the greatest shaving soap ever created. Maybe it's something to do with the hardness of the water in some areas. Either way, my routine always involves soaking the soap in its bowl in very hot water for a few minutes while I do my pre-wash etc. I always load the brush (any brush seems to work fine) and then face-lather (bowl-lathering is pointless). The lather is always thick and creamy and I don't need to re-load the brush. The lanolin provides superb cushion. I have used up 2 pucks of MWF and am on a third...I bought them all a few years ago but not in the same batch, and I've not experienced any differences in performance.

However...I have also had disappointing experiences with shaving soaps that others seem to like (a recent Sterling one that I won't go into right now) so the principle of finding something you like and using it often, as @pjgh mentioned, is definitely sound. I like The Fat and I use it often (in an increasingly lengthy rotation, that is!)
 
I used this soap for the first time recently and couldn't manage a decent lather...well actually I could get plenty of lather but it was airy, bubbly and not very thick so disappeared off my face in about 15 seconds.
Too much water I thought so I've been like a man possessed trying to get the right combination over the past few days.
Best badger brush, boar brush, pure badger, bloom the puck, don't bloom the puck, squeeze excess water from the brush, let it drip out, keep brush wet, use a scuttle, use a bowl, don't use a bowl and try it from the puck to face lather....still, no luck.

So as an honest man I've came to the decision that MWF is a great soap that serves a great purpose. Its been sent to the shower where it belongs to live out the rest of its days :ROFLMAO:

MWF 1-0 Dcshaves
Lot of disappointment out there regarding this soap. In my case, I've owned 4 pucks and there is two more news in my den. Last one it behaved damn it bad, so may be there are quality issues. Unfortunately, 'The House' doesn't send any answer regarding what yout question is about. No more credit to it, as there are lots of choices out there and Fine Accoutrements has wonderful pucks. DR Harris and Cyril, are very good choices, too. Cella, yet morbid, get that feeling from tallow, too.
 
I used this soap for the first time recently and couldn't manage a decent lather...well actually I could get plenty of lather but it was airy, bubbly and not very thick so disappeared off my face in about 15 seconds.
Too much water I thought so I've been like a man possessed trying to get the right combination over the past few days.
Best badger brush, boar brush, pure badger, bloom the puck, don't bloom the puck, squeeze excess water from the brush, let it drip out, keep brush wet, use a scuttle, use a bowl, don't use a bowl and try it from the puck to face lather....still, no luck.

So as an honest man I've came to the decision that MWF is a great soap that serves a great purpose. Its been sent to the shower where it belongs to live out the rest of its days :ROFLMAO:

MWF 1-0 Dcshaves

I've experienced the same. But I can't use mine in the shower. I'd put the soap in an old GFT cream tub, and can't get the damn thing out now. It's got 2 up on me.

MWF 3 - 0 shavers
 
I had a puck of Kent soap which I had heard was MWF with a different scent. It lathered well and easily and had many great shaves with it. Connaught doesn't sdeem to carry it any longer, so I ordered a puck of MWF.

Alas! My results are a duplicate of most of the disheartened.
Dial works fine in the shower; I shall endeavor to persevere.
 
I had a puck of Kent soap which I had heard was MWF with a different scent. It lathered well and easily and had many great shaves with it. Connaught doesn't sdeem to carry it any longer, so I ordered a puck of MWF.

Alas! My results are a duplicate of most of the disheartened.
Dial works fine in the shower; I shall endeavor to persevere.
My puck came from Connaught, is it possible they had a duff batch? I purchased mine in May this year.
 
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