Thread: Osma Soap

Originally Posted by beluga

I think that one factor that is often overlooked when people talk about difficulties getting a soap to lather is water hardness.
Some of the notoriously difficult soaps lather like a champ with soft water, but need considerably more effort with harder water grades.

Once I stayed in a hotel in a place with very hard water and was surprised how well a shaving soap lathered - until I found out that the owner had installed a water softener for his guests.

Conversely, when I read a comment that someone has no difficulties at all with a not so easy to lather soap, I cannot help wondering whether that is due to his skills or merely due to soft water.


Mitchell’s is clearly a more tempermental shaving soap and for those struggling with Mitchell’s I usually suggest Haslinger sheeps’ milk shaving soap that is much more forgiving of harder water qualities and - like Mitchell’s Wool Fat - also contains lanolin.


B

I'm so torn on this one. I want to agree with you 100%, but I find a lot of guys using hard water as an excuse to not work a decent lather. I know I was one of those guys for years always complaining about hard water. For a couple three years I even went cream only because it was so much easier to make a lather. I mean I do have hard water, no question, but hard water all but limits the most persnickety of soaps.

It's kind of crazy, making lather isn't rocket science in the least, but there is some voodoo involved. It took me a long time to realize that some soaps can absorb insane amounts of water and how to test my soaps. It finally hit home after watching some shaving videos years later.

Anyway, it's really easy enough to see if it's the "hard" water or if it's you - simply go get some distilled water over at the grocer and give it a whirl.

Originally Posted by earcutter

I find a lot of guys using hard water as an excuse to not work a decent lather.

It's kind of crazy, making lather isn't rocket science in the least, but there is some voodoo involved.
It took me a long time to realize that some soaps can absorb insane amounts of water and how to test my soaps.

+100

This soap would be THE ONE if only had a decent scent.

Originally Posted by ischiapp

+100

This soap would be THE ONE if only had a decent scent.

I don’t mind the scent - I’m just having a hard time finding a splash and balm to go with it. But that’s half the fun lol.

After following this thread I tried to find someone who sells the OSMA shaving soap in Canada. No luck.

I emailed the Italian Barber who carried it at one time and got a very short reply, “It was a dud and didn’t sell so we don’t stock it anymore.”

I am curious if anyone in Canada still sells it.

Originally Posted by DZEC

After following this thread I tried to find someone who sells the OSMA shaving soap in Canada. No luck.

I emailed the Italian Barber who carried it at one time and got a very short reply, “It was a dud and didn’t sell so we don’t stock it anymore.”

I am curious if anyone in Canada still sells it.

Man, maybe I better order another puck to keep on hand!

OP - can’t you shop USA and have em ship it? What about Amazon? Edit. Amazon.ca doesn’t have anything

Hey guys, what’s this stuff?



https://www.westcoastshaving.com/col...n-shaving-soap

It’s a different soap that Osma makes - no alum in this one. It’s available in a truly fine heavy glass jar or as a refill. Scent is a light floral. Like the alum-containing soap it performs well and is easier to lather than the alum-containing soap.

Cheers, Steve

Just shaved with my alum-loaded osma puck this evening and it was terrific. Don't understand why folks don't like the scent. To me, it is very, very nice. Subtle, but very, very nice.

Originally Posted by earcutter

Hey guys, what’s this stuff?



https://www.westcoastshaving.com/col...n-shaving-soap

This is the stuff I actually bought; so my review above pertains to the Tradition and not the soap with Alum. Explains why I didn't experience the 'lightning charged lather'. Might have to pick up another puck if it can be found.
Paul

Originally Posted by Paulbuck

This is the stuff I actually bought; so my review above pertains to the Tradition and not the soap with Alum. Explains why I didn't experience the 'lightning charged lather'. Might have to pick up another puck if it can be found.
Paul

Thanks Paul - that’s good to know.