SMF

Most likely there's something in the fragrance thats the cause of the irritation.

Does the Kent version have a different scent than MWF?

I think they're the same Eric, at least I don't recall any difference.

Once in a while I get some of that mild pH burn when I first use a new-to-me shaving soap. I just forget about it and it seldom if ever occurs the second time. Only once in my experience did I get a serious burn that couldn't be ignored --- Crabtree and Evelyn Sweet Almond Oil shaving cream in the jar --- not so sweet!

StGeorge wrote:... There are also a huge amount of sheep in the UK so supply and demand shouldn't be an issue

Uhuh -- saw more sheep during our trip to North Yorkshire and The Lake District a month ago ..... Every time we go, it seems that the sheep population has grown .... a very good thing for this MWF advocate.

I have some MWF that dried out.
I have it in a bowl with a little water for now.
Any other way to revive it?

Thanks,

My experience is a few years old, but I'm quite sure it's still valid: the Kent version and the Mitchell's version are exactly the same soap in every way; only the package is different.

Shave4Fun wrote:I have some MWF that dried out.
I have it in a bowl with a little water for now.
Any other way to revive it?

Thanks,

No, I think that's all. Definitely don't heat it beyond the temperature of hot tap water.

notthesharpest wrote:

Shave4Fun wrote:I have some MWF that dried out.
I have it in a bowl with a little water for now.
Any other way to revive it?

Thanks,

No, I think that's all. Definitely don't heat it beyond the temperature of hot tap water.

Thanks.

As noted yesterday, I had some MWF remnants that had dried out. After soaking in water (just enough to cover the soap) in the mug overnight, it swelled and smoothed out enough to reform and use for a good lather and shave. We'll see what it looks like after sitting for a few days.

It will do that, crack and whatnot, I used it anyway and determined not to let one sit too long in the future.

Squire wrote:It will do that, crack and whatnot, I used it anyway and determined not to let one sit too long in the future.

My cake had actually broken up into 3-4 pieces, so I had to "put it back together". And I'm glad it still lathers well.

MWF is possibly the most robust of shaving soaps I have ever owned. Yes, it will crack, and when it gets down to the dredges can go "bitty". But it will go on and on for a good long time. I have sometimes gone a good few months (believe it or not) without using it once, and find it's as good as it was the last day I used it. Best stuff period .... full stop .... bar none.

I admire a man sure of his convictions.

The more you get into it the wool fat seems a rather good thing to try. The lathering issues I think are more related to time of loading and type of brush used.

Oh, by all means try it, good stuff.

nicodemus38 wrote:The more you get into it the wool fat seems a rather good thing to try. The lathering issues I think are more related to time of loading and type of brush used.

Time of loading I agree with. But the brush type I don't know. I have found success in making great lather using best badger, silvertip badger as well as boar brushes. What I do find is that sometimes if I have a lather problem I see it almost right away and I fix it by adding a bit more water. I all I love "The Fat" so much that I even use Mitchell's Wool Fat bath soap.

You know, I'm not really a big fan of the fat. While I agree it gives a great shave, has nice after shave feel and provides fine glide and protection, it simply requires too much work. I can successfully lather it with any number of my brushes but it takes longer and requires more effort than any other soap or cream in my den. I will continue to use it because I have an almost new puck in the ceramic bowl and a backup puck in the cabinet. At the rate I use it, it will last a long, long time! Does the fat provide a particularly better shave than other quality soaps and creams? Not for me.

Not necessarily better Basil but certainly as good as. I think the fact it remains a truly traditional product is it's most attractive feature.

one must not just judge the lanolin as the offender. compare every ingredient in these lanolin containing soaps and compare the others.

Squire, I agree with what you say. It does provide a shave "as good as" other products and it certainly is traditional. I guess I just don't want to work as hard as it takes to get there. Other traditional products such as Tabac soap, T&H and Trumpers creams, and Proraso soaps and creams are better for me. I realize that Proraso has been reformulated to drop the parabens but I still consider it "traditional".