Latherability Face-Off

[Teddyboy]

I have been interested in Mike's Natural Soaps as well as Mystic Water's Soaps, but have had a hard time getting decent lather from the pucks. I did an informal test as follows:

I wet each puck with warm water; soaked a Semogue 620 in warm water; loaded the brush for approx. 45 seconds for each and palm-lathered until I obtained what appeared to be the maximum lather I could get. After the "crown" of lather was formed on the brush, I removed it by very gently scraping my hand in an upward direction (i.e., toward the bristle tips) until it just came off in my hand. I then squeezed the brush much harder to view the amount of residual lather that was in the interior of the brush.

The soaps tested were:

A. Mama Bear's Ye Olde Barbershop
B. Mike's orange, cedarwood and black pepper
C. Mystic's Sandalwood Rose

The Results: Soap A was clearly the fastest to lather and gave the most lather. Soap B was significantly less than Soap A, but a bit more prolific a latherer than Soap C.

I was affected by the incredible love (i.e., hype) that B and C get , but I will start to phase them out. The problems I have with them are too real and not worth the trouble. Mama's and Mikes I have already shaved with and they both perform well once the proper lather is obtained. The one time I tried Mystic, it just didn't create a usable lather for me to shave with. For me, Mama Bear's is still the champ.

I feel bad because I used to live a few blocks from MiKe (according to the return address on the soap package) and I am always willing to help a fellow Brooklynite.

 

[Mandina]

This kind of report is very helpful, but let's keep in mind that it probably draws some kind of fine line (which is always quite subjective in DE shaving and always dependent on variables such as the specific brush, water quality,humidity, skin, etc.) between three outstanding soaps. Mike's--and, according to reviews, Mystic--is outstanding soap, and right up there with the very best mainstream products, whether or not it lathers a bit slower or a bit less than another brand. In any case, thanks for the comparative review, as such reviews are always provocative and helpful.

 

[kingfisher]

Interesting.

I agree that Mama Bear lathers up more quickly and easily. I really like MB soaps. Overall, though, I think Mystic Waters soap is superior to MB's in the shave it provides and the face feel after the shave.

If you enjoy MB soaps, though, by all means stick with MB. They're nice soaps and there's an almost infinite variety of scents.

 

[ChaoticBliss]

I've also tried all 3 of these and I found the exact same thing. I stopped using Mikes and Mystic and continued using Mama's. Maybe its the type of water we have or something since others don't seem to have any problems. I just can't be bothered to use a soap that takes a lot of work to lather up.

 

[Teddyboy]

I've also tried all 3 of these and I found the exact same thing. I stopped using Mikes and Mystic and continued using Mama's. Maybe its the type of water we have or something since others don't seem to have any problems. I just can't be bothered to use a soap that takes a lot of work to lather up.

Exactly. Thank you.