Interesting review site.

[kmain]

I stumbled upon this website using my google-fu skills;

http://www.amansguidetoskincare.com/mitchells-wool-fat-shaving-soa-260/

Thats one of there reviews, to say the least its quiet interesting. If you have time take a moment and look through the rest of the reviews. There aren't many since it appears to be a fairly new site.

This author pretty much rips into our beloved MWF and he does seem pretty knowledgeable.

 

[michiganlover]

Typical review of a person who over-reacts to anything they perceive to be a "chemical". I personally fully discount it as non-sense. Just because certain fragrance compounds might be irritating to a small segment of the population, doesn't mean you personally will have issue with them.

If you eliminated every product from the market that has potential to be burdensome to someone there would be very little left!!

By the way, have you heard of the extreme dangers associated with the very common chemical Di hydrogen Monoxide? See here for more info:

http://www.dhmo.org/

 

[the_edski]

+1 on the DHMO website. I haven't seen that in like 2 years! Great satire, oh wait, i mean truth! Dastardly DHMO!

Typical review of a person who over-reacts to anything they perceive to be a "chemical". I personally fully discount it as non-sense. Just because certain fragrance compounds might be irritating to a small segment of the population, doesn't mean you personally will have issue with them.

If you eliminated every product from the market that has potential to be burdensome to someone there would be very little left!!

By the way, have you heard of the extreme dangers associated with the very common chemical Di hydrogen Monoxide? See here for more info:

http://www.dhmo.org/

P.s....The article reads like a diatribe from a self indulgent a-- who thinks they know everything and has to save us from the chemicals because we (the general populace) know nothing!

 

[kmain]

True it might have been exaggeration on some parts, but it seemed like a pretty well in-depth review at the time... I mean what company doesn't want to market there products and make them sound good?

 

[imbored2deth]

I thought this was spot on. For me, MWF irritates. You get a nice shave but it is not for me. YMMV is a true statement here.

 

[jansob]

Typical review of a person who over-reacts to anything they perceive to be a "chemical". I personally fully discount it as non-sense. Just because certain fragrance compounds might be irritating to a small segment of the population, doesn't mean you personally will have issue with them.

If you eliminated every product from the market that has potential to be burdensome to someone there would be very little left!!

By the way, have you heard of the extreme dangers associated with the very common chemical Di hydrogen Monoxide? See here for more info:

http://www.dhmo.org/

Bingo, Mama Bear's Bay Rhum and Cella made me break out...but that's me....I'm sensitive to lots of stuff. I'd advise anyone else to try them. Unlike this clown, I say don't let my allergies determine what you try.

 

[BlackBard]

By the way, have you heard of the extreme dangers associated with the very common chemical Di hydrogen Monoxide? See here for more info:

http://www.dhmo.org/

Oh great! Now I have another thing to worry about. I'll pass this along to all my friends. Maybe, together, we can do something about it.

 

[Judge Dredd]

My cousin showed me this site a few months ago. It was tailor-made for him. He thinks he's allergic to absolutely everything, believes menthol is corrosive and absolutely insists on everything being made completely of hypoallergenic unicorn hairs. If it has SLS, he's calling the CDC.

I tried to explain to him that possibly the most dangerous thing in his bathroom is actually his own toothbrush, but why would anyone believe that when there are COMPANIES putting CHEMICALS into PRODUCTS????

In all likelihood, most of the food we eat possibly contains more harmful stuff in it than anything we shave with.

 

[CJE]

I notice he is also developing his own soap. Not that that would influence his review.

 

[DevinLT1966]

Maybe I like living dangerously, but I use DHMO with every shave I find it makes the ARKO much slicker

 

[KipNoxzema]

"The product itself hasn’t been certified organic". Was there a law passed where everything has to be "certified organic"?
This site is more proof you can't believe everything you read on the Internets.

 

[Archer808]

He doesn't like the Fat or Thayer's... Don't think I agree with his reviews, even if they are pretty in depth and interesting reads.

 

[semi]

Typical review of a person who over-reacts to anything they perceive to be a "chemical".

i don't think this is the case. i've never used mitchells wool fat and i only had a very quick look at the site but he does seem to have more knowledge of chemistry than that.
for example if you look at his conclusions on thayers he says the opposite of what you have assumed:

http://www.amansguidetoskincare.com/review-thayers-witch-hazel-astringent-and-after-shave-277/

I understand that Thayers wants to retain its natural and artisanal image, but sometimes in terms of skin health, natural isn’t always best. The issue arises with the inclusion of alcohol, fragrances and their choices for preserving their products. Alcohol and fragrances are almost never needed, and preservatives are a win-lose ingredient. They are generally not beneficial to the skin, but their effect of keeping products clear of bacteria and fungii far outweigh these negatives. There are safe preservatives available such as phenoxyethanol, and even natural ones such as honeysuckle extract.

 

[chris.hale]

While what he's saying is possibly factually true, considering the variety of things some people are allergic to I don't think you can categorically state that any product is 100% harmless to 100% of the population.

It certainly doesn't put me off trying The Fat.

 

[semi]

i think he just needs to watch his wording so people don't skim and jump to conclusions. he does say a couple of times things like: "fragrances/ingredients can be irritating to the skin" or "can be irritating to those sensitive to it". i don't see how you can argue with that unless you read that as "fragrance oils/these ingredients are irritating to everyones' skin". he doesnt say mwf is irritating and should be avoided by everyone just that some of the ingredients are or can be irritating. that might be a bit irrelevant when the amounts are low and its going to be washed off the skin.
i find straight fragrance oils quite irritating at more than about 1 drop to 10 but ive never gotten irritation from a soap which contains them probably because it's more diluted than that. i also find essential oils fine so far.

 

[Judge Dredd]

i think he just needs to watch his wording so people don't skim and jump to conclusions. he does say a couple of times things like: "fragrances/ingredients can be irritating to the skin" or "can be irritating to those sensitive to it". i don't see how you can argue with that unless you read that as "fragrance oils/these ingredients are irritating to everyones' skin". he doesnt say mwf is irritating and should be avoided by everyone just that some of the ingredients are or can be irritating. that might be a bit irrelevant when the amounts are low and its going to be washed off the skin.
i find straight fragrance oils quite irritating at more than about 1 drop to 10 but ive never gotten irritation from a soap which contains them probably because it's more diluted than that. i also find essential oils fine so far.

You're right, it is difficult to argue with that, but they are also such vague assertions as to be almost meaningless.

They're broad unqualified statements that border on the alarmist and are therefore not very helpful to most people.

Those who have allergies or sensitivities will either already know, or will work it out through trial and error (as I did).

 

[semi]

sure, i'd agree with that.

 

[JLuger]

OK, but how did his shave turn out? After all the point is to use MWF as a shaving soap, not a chemistry experiment.

 

[davros]

I thought the critique of the exaggerated claims made in the product blurb were pretty much fair, but all such blurbs are always little more than carefully vague marketing spiel - shooting fish in a barrel to establish his credentials as a trustworthy authority.
But there was definitely a lot of hyperbolic/ alarmist stuff in the analysis of the ingredients- fragrances can be mild skin irritants - who knew? I'm quite intrigued by the stuff about magnesium sulphate as a 'water hardener' - I've always found MWF to be a very scummy soap. Can any of our resident chemistry buffs elaborate on this point - ie. is this true, and if sowhy do they put magnesium sulphate in the soap?

 

[parihart]

I'm quite intrigued by the stuff about magnesium sulphate as a 'water hardener' - I've always found MWF to be a very scummy soap. Can any of our resident chemistry buffs elaborate on this point - ie. is this true, and if sowhy do they put magnesium sulphate in the soap?

Magnesium Sulfate AND Chelation Agents (Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Silicate, Tetrasodium EDTA, and Tetrasodium Etidronate) are added for formulation consistency. It should be noted that chelations agents have to be added to make the formulation work, Magnesium sulfate by itself will kill the lather. Part of the reason for this is water hardness- since hardness varies depending on geographical location-the addition the magnesium sulfate along with other salts and chelation agents allows for a more consistent lather generation. (The addition of salts increases the ionic strength of the formulation and plays a role in density of the lather, this is part of the reason why MWF is so thick and dense-yes the addition of lanolin also plays a role). I'm off work this week, when I get back I will do a photo essay- It will make more sense.