Thread: Osma Soap

I’ve been using Osma’s alum block after every shave for years. Love the stuff. I had no idea that they had a soap though - not until Phrank recently mentioned how much he liked it that is.

Hence, I immediately sourced one, ordered it, and now it’s here! Woot!




Here is the propaganda via a West Coast Shaving: The Osma shaving soap is a unique soap which includes Shea butter to moisturize the skin and alum, an astringent. A clean, fresh scent. Packaged in a clear container.

Ingredients: Sodium palmate, sodium palm kernelate, aqua, potassium alum, butyrospermum parkii, glycerin, sorbitol, parfum, sodium chloride, palm kernel acid, propylene glycol, tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, d-limonene, butylphenyl methylpropional, linalool

It’s made in France.

When the soap came, two things jumped right out at me. Well three really. First, this stuff smells awesome!! I can’t get enough. Second, the soap is tall an narrow. And third the “clear container” made of plastic virtually useless.

But it’s the perfect size for my Mühle bowls (narrow). So I cut 1/3 off (not a Croap, but easy to cut) and put it in the Mühle bowl, and wrapped the other 2/3s up and put it back in its original container for what’ll no doubt be years.


When I cram a soap into a tub, I’ll put some pure glycerin into the cracks. I think it helps it to not dry out.


I’m still testing out another cream, and will be for the week, so it’ll be a week before I get to it, but this stuff excites me. The smell is awesome and I hear it gives a really protective shave. But reviews are few and far between. If you’ve used it please comment. If you’re as intrigued, leave a comment.

I can’t wait until next week.

I haven't used Osma soap myself, but Jarrod at TSS claimed once it was the slickest he had ever used. Also claimed it was very finicky, hard to get it right, but when he did, it was great. I prefer to drive in the middle lane; he scared me off. Please let us know your experience with this soap. I, for one, live an exciting life vicariously through the braver souls on this site.

I have a hard time believing any soap containing alum could be "the slickest he (Jarrod) ever used". However, I have not tried it, so who knows.

Having watched Jarrod hone, strop, and shave in some of his videos, I do not think I would be satisfied with some of the products he recommends. I do not think his shaving requirements are anywhere near as strict as mine. Jarrod considers Dovo razors to be shave ready from the factory; the one I got was not even close to being shave ready by my criteria until I honed it myself.

Originally Posted by RayClem

I have a hard time believing any soap containing alum could be "the slickest he (Jarrod) ever used". However, I have not tried it, so who knows.

Having watched Jarrod hone, strop, and shave in some of his videos, I do not think I would be satisfied with some of the products he recommends. I do not think his shaving requirements are anywhere near as strict as mine. Jarrod considers Dovo razors to be shave ready from the factory; the one I got was not even close to being shave ready by my criteria until I honed it myself.

Don’t let you disdain for Jarrod deny you something that might actually have merit. There’s a few members here who I believe have some of the highest standards I know, who sing the soaps praises. Don’t get me wrong, I had my doubts too, but that is what this thread is for.

And let me start by saying from the little sample lather I made to test things out, slickness or glide are not going to be a problem with this soap if you can create a lather that stay hydrated long enough. I kept on thinking I had the lather... only to see it lose its “bloom.”

But that’s ok lol. I didn’t prep the soap, or the brush, and the water was still cold so I wouldn’t take anything away from that other than it does indeed provide glide!

More to come later!

I've used it before. It is slick and it is a bit harder to lather than most soaps. I agree about the shape/container.

Osma also make another soap, Traditionele I believe, that I've also used. It's a good soap, and has almost (if not) identical scent to Carthusia. This soap is available as a refill or in a heavy glass jar. I'd post an image but I sent the soap to Alfredo to compare to the Carthusia.

Cheers, Steve

I like the Osma soap, however, it's a bit finicky. I spread the puck a little over my wet face before loading the brush. This helps from my experience. Think I learned the trick from Jarrod.

Originally Posted by Brontosaurus

I like the Osma soap, however, it's a bit finicky. I spread the puck a little over my wet face before loading the brush. This helps from my experience. Think I learned the trick from Jarrod.

After @cau mentioned Jarrod did a review of it, I went on YouTube and had a look. I couldn't watch the whole video, but I saw him do it... I thought it was hilarious. But if it works, it works.

I could never get the concept of soap with Alum in it.......
Still, Phrank did send me a sample extolling it's virtues a while back.

I will snurdle some into my Suribachi bowl and give it another try.
Did not work well in my scuttle.

I guess it is a 'shave and go' kind of thing?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I could never get the concept of soap with Alum in it.......
Still, Phrank did sent me a sample extolling it's virtues a while back.

I will snurdle some into my Suribachi bowl and give it another try.
Did not work well in my scuttle.

I guess it is a 'shave and go' kind of thing?

Alum is “thier” thing, so I can kind see it, if it works - but it sure does seem odd doesn’t it? I’ll be interested to see if you like it Sharptonn. If you can’t make a lather out of it in your Suribachi bowl, I’m doomed.

I tried it once in a mug...Was a bit 'stingy'? Still, it was a sloppy mess.
Will report back.

We can always blame Phrank......

Still. If I may, bedding it in with a pile of glycerin is bound to change things?

Has never hurt anything, yet has helped lots! JMO