Thread: Shaving Cream how many shaves per tub?

This is an interesting question for me, as I'm finding that I only get about 2-3 weeks worth of shaves out of a CS bar of soap. I'm not sure if it's my lathering technique, the fact that I leave the soap in the bowl when I'm done (and I rinse out the bowl of lather/skum after each shave)...? How bad am I messing this up?

I recently tried adding some of "The Real Shave Co." cream w/ a few drops of glycerin, and find I get a really fast Über-lather, but with a puck only lasting a few weeks at most, it seems like I'd want the cream to last at least 3 months, since it tends to cost about 3x the price of a puck from CS. How do folks keep their soaps between shaves? I figure creams would be easy, but curious about pucks...

Originally Posted by ithacaJake

This is an interesting question for me, as I'm finding that I only get about 2-3 weeks worth of shaves out of a CS bar of soap. I'm not sure if it's my lathering technique, the fact that I leave the soap in the bowl when I'm done (and I rinse out the bowl of lather/skum after each shave)...? How bad am I messing this up?

I recently tried adding some of "The Real Shave Co." cream w/ a few drops of glycerin, and find I get a really fast Über-lather, but with a puck only lasting a few weeks at most, it seems like I'd want the cream to last at least 3 months, since it tends to cost about 3x the price of a puck from CS. How do folks keep their soaps between shaves? I figure creams would be easy, but curious about pucks...

Say what? 2-3 weeks? No way. That stuff lasts for months with me. remember its glycerin based so if you use alot of water it will disappear faster.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Say what? 2-3 weeks? No way. That stuff lasts for months with me. remember its glycerin based so if you use alot of water it will disappear faster.

Yeah, I learned this the hard way. I got a Col Conk scuttle (with a perforated bowl) and Col Conk Bay Rum soap. I filled the scuttle with hot tap water and lathered up. The scuttle sat there, full of hot water, while I shaved. When I finished, I noticed that the puck was half gone. When I drained the scuttle, I saw where the half puck had gone. Down the drain Since then, I've kept the soap dry and it has lasted like my other soaps.

Originally Posted by Tonsor

Yeah, I learned this the hard way. I got a Col Conk scuttle (with a perforated bowl) and Col Conk Bay Rum soap. I filled the scuttle with hot tap water and lathered up. The scuttle sat there, full of hot water, while I shaved. When I finished, I noticed that the puck was half gone. When I drained the scuttle, I saw where the half puck had gone. Down the drain Since then, I've kept the soap dry and it has lasted like my other soaps.

Well that explains that then... My MO for a shave was to get the brush nice and hot, then fill my bowl with the puck still in it, with hot water, then let that sit/soak while I stropped warmed up my face with a hot washcloth. I'd then drain out all the water, add a little glycine and start lathering.

How do you keep your soaps between shaves? I don't really have a whole lot of space for another soap dish, but it sounds like I may have to go searching for one... or at least another shaving mug or something...

I find that they just keep going. I've had a bowl of D.R Harris that i got in May that has a hollow in it now. I'm probably an 8th through it. No idea how many shaves, but certainly enough for even the top price soaps to be great value.
Here's how i use my soaps.
Before i shave i throw a few drops of hot water on the top while the brush soaks. Give it a swirl & maybe a bit of plunging for 20 to 30 seconds till it's lathering up a bit on top of the soap then into the bowl.
After the shave i rinse the lot off & let it drain upside down while i apply alum & clean the brush & bowl. Cold rinse my face, lid on, pack it away.
I'd have to shave 30 times a day to see it off in a few weeks i reckon!

Thanks for all the help.

I've a tendancy to over indulge with the cream. Find soap to be more economic for me.

I have no idea how long it takes to finish a tub of cream or a puck of soap if you are lathering normaly. But I can give you another example... I've got a puck of soap that is my everyday shaving soap. I've had for I'd guess somewhere in between 9 and 10 months. I use it everyday (almost...) except when I'm traveling. It is only now begining to have a curvature on it. I still have at least another 6 months of shaves in it. And mind me, I'm not lathering thin or anything - I like my lather thick!
I also have 2 creams that I use - Omega and Palmolive. I use these when I'm traveling. They are still almost as new. I guess I'll never finish them...

My point is this: even if you are not cheap when lathering, trying to strech the life span of the soap, meaning, if you indulge in luxurious lathering sessions, a soap or a cream will last quite a while. That's one of the economical advantages of wet shaving versus shaving with goo from a can or green gel from a can. Those will last weeks and cost you quite a bit. A good soap will cost you a bit more... but will last you a lot more. And it's better too...

i dont know about cream but i have been shaving with the same puck (small) for three months but its about gone

I get three months or so out of softer creams (nancy boy, GFT) , a little more out of the denser Castle Forbes, ADP creams and the like. I also believe that I use more than is neccesary, as I like to overindulge in lather. Hell, this whole way of shaving is already an indulgence, why chince out on the cream? I imagine I could really figure out the minimum IO need and use 10% less or whatever, but why chance it?