Tal Tab Tue 22 Apr 2025
- Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Tabak Oridjinal, now with 28 mm Gelousy knot
- Razor: Koraat – r/Wetshaving exclusive Moarteen (15/16", full hollow, carbon steel)
- Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
- Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
- Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
I got fed up with how much effort I need to put into getting good lather from veg Tabac with badger and boar brushes (load with a super dry brush for way too long, and then add water in microscopic amounts repeatedly forever or see the lalther turn into a bubbly mess. I was missing tallow Tabac and simultaneously wondering whether I was remembering it with rose-coloured glasses.
So in fetched a backup of pre-2022 Tabac, and went to work with my trusty Gelousy. The difference is stark. The tallow base loads more easily, and is super forgiving when adding water. It just stays dense and takes water like a champ.
I had a great shave with the good old Tabac slickness, and I don't see myself going back to veg Tabac anytime soon, at least not without a synth.
This makes me wonder: what is it that make some soaps (particularly more bubbly European vegan bases) so much easier to use with a synth than a badger or boar? Or is it just user error and I'm alone with my negative experience?