MWF Ceramic Dish - Why is it so big compared to the puck?

[Tom Ford]

Hi guys,

Well I finally splashed out and bought the fancy ceramic dish for my MWF. The thing I noticed is the dish is so BIG compared to the puck. But when I see pics on SOTD, it seems to fit well, and there isn't such a noticeable difference?

Am I missing something, is the puck meant to grow into it?

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the matter.

 

[MichaelG]

I think the puck might swell a bit with use. Some guys report that it can also crack a little bit with use (?) None of this affects its performance, or lack thereof depending on who you ask :^)

Hi guys,

Well I finally splashed out and bought the fancy ceramic dish for my MWF. The thing I noticed is the dish is so BIG compared to the puck. But when I see pics on SOTD, it seems to fit well, and there isn't such a noticeable difference?

Am I missing something, is the puck meant to grow into it?

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the matter.

 

[Iakona]

It swells with optional cracking.
My MWF lather got better after I got the dish to put it in. I would assume that this is just because I get more product while loading due to it being softer.

 

[luvmysuper]

It's a swell soap.

 

[Cuttingboard]

The soap swells and cracks as it becomes wet, dries and becomes wet again. Don't worry, it will fill the ceramic dish.

 

[CaptainK]

[Forgive me for resurrecting such an old post ... a recent query about MWF cracking led me here.]

The soap swells and cracks as it becomes wet, dries and becomes wet again. Don't worry, it will fill the ceramic dish.

I can't help but think, however, that if the dish made snug fit with the soap (like Tabac), it wouldn't have to swell, and it wouldn't crack. I agree with everyone that it's no big deal, but can anyone think of a reason they went with such a large dish? I mean, yeah, there is little to no downside, but ... is there an upside?

 

[Kevan]

The soap swells and cracks as it becomes wet, dries and becomes wet again. Don't worry, it will fill the ceramic dish.

Mine never swelled.

 

[luvmysuper]

 

[Optometrist]

I believe, and found, that the swelling to fit the bowl, and cracking, comes from the recommended soaking of the soap, ie Mantic's video on MWF lathering technique. I agree that this has no detrimental effect on performance. I have just acquired the Kent version in the wooden bowl where the initial fit is snug, unlike the ceramic dish under its own label. I have just wetted this soap's surface prior to use. It performs just as well as when pre-soaked, and no sign of cracking yet.

 

[luvmysuper]

I believe, and found, that the swelling to fit the bowl, and cracking, comes from the recommended soaking of the soap, ie Mantic's video on MWF lathering technique. I agree that this has no detrimental effect on performance. I have just acquired the Kent version in the wooden bowl where the initial fit is snug, unlike the ceramic dish under its own label. I have just wetted this soap's surface prior to use. It performs just as well as when pre-soaked, and no sign of cracking yet.

Emphasis mine.

 

[Optometrist]

Emphasis mine.

Fingers crossed!! My first puck cracked after just 2 days! Two weeks on with the second, and nothing visible.

 

[franz]

Yeah, it cracks when it dries out from disuse - petulant little soap that it is.

FWIW, the container I've got it in is very snug. I have never soaked the puck besides the water I introduce while loading.

 

[CaptainK]

Emphasis mine.

OK, I get the point of your first post; if it can't expand to the sides, it will expand up. Point taken. But, do you really think a puck nestled snugly in a bowl or dish will still crack?

 

[luvmysuper]

It's been my experience that it cracks when you don't use it frequently.
But that's me.
It's really no big deal about it cracking though, it works just fine anyway.
I was just tossing out some fun with the pic, though the science is sound, I have no idea if MWF would ever do that.
I think the dish is just as big as it is because it is.

 

[Greg1911]

The dish is big to irritate the haters of THE FAT!

 

[eastomjac]

mine cracked,i put it in a snug cup and it cracked.doesnt seem to have affected the lather?

 

[StillShaving]

I like the size of the MWF dish as it provides more room to load the brush. I have never soaked my puck and though it has swelled a bit, there is still a small gap around the edge. I don't know why Mitchell's did not make the puck bigger, maybe they wanted to give customers a better chance of putting it in a different bowl, or maybe it was to allow water down the side so that it becomes less dense.

 

[jss4fish]

MWF has to have some "personal" space... it is seeking therapy, but so far the best advice is just to let it have it's own little room...

 

[Eric V]

It's a swell soap.

 

[CaptainK]

I think the dish is just as big as it is because it is.

Spoken like a true politician! Almost as good as the correct parental response: "It's that big ... because I SAID SO!"