Correct procedure! MWF seems to get better when hydrated. I use about a teaspoon of water before I take my shower. After the shower I spill the water from MWF into my hands and use it as a pre-shave. Excellent results.
Another alternative is to use it regularly, and it stays hydrated. When you have it in a rotation with several other soaps, it dries out.
It's fun to read back over this thread. I've been using Mitchell's once a week for a while now. I am close to finishing off the puck and will need a new one. Never had lathering problems. Always soak the soap while showering and load a lot of soap on the brush, then face lather. Excellent lather each time.
Thread revival! I use the Fat every Friday and am on my second puck. @jluc is getting ready to use The Fat for the first time. There are some great tips in this thread. I have no trouble getting outstanding from Mitchell's. Never have. Load it like a normal soap. It DOES look airy in the brush before face lathering. I will agree with that, but it works into beautiful lather easily.
I've never had a problem with The Fat. I think those who face lather don't have problems. It is one of the few soaps I will replace as I finish a puck.
When I tried lathering it with a floppy badger brush, the results were less than satisfactory. I read on the forums that Mitchell's Wool Fat does best with brushes that have a little backbone. Sure enough, it was true. With both a Vie Long horsehair and an Omega boar, the results were excellent. Best of all, Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap has been around a long time, and seems to be doing better than ever. It stands to reason that they will be around for a long time to come.
I tried it when I first got into wet shaving. I couldn't lather much back then. I still make an occasional bad lather, but anyways. I plan on trying it again eventually, and I actually like the smell.
You might want to add Institut Karite to that list. Italian Barber has it for $15, but sometimes you can find it for less online. https://www.italianbarber.com/produ...aris-25-shea-butter-extra-gentle-shaving-soap I have seen mention of it in 2006 online, and it has probably been around longer than that. IMHO, it is as good as Mitchell's Wool Fat.
Thread revival! @9nein9 is starting his journey with The Fat. Some great tips in this thread about various lathering strategies.
@9nein9 , welcome to The Fat. My suggestion is to wet your face and then rub the fat right on your face. Then, build the lather straight on your face. I find this method works well for any hard soap. Give it a try.