Thread: DIY shaving soap recipe

While it may be possible to produce your own shaving soap, the cost and time required to do so is going to far outweigh the cost and inconvenience of purchasing a soap in the marketplace. It you consider ordering replacement soaps online to be inconvenient, you are not likely to fare well as a soapmaker. If ordering is inconvenient, just order several soaps on one order and have enough soap on hand to last a year (or a decade).

It's the type of thing to be looked at not from the standpoint of supplying yourself with soap but as a hobby. With that angle, buying the supplies and gear and learning the art is the goal.

When you look at it that way well, we all know hobbies can get expensive.

However, if you are successful who knows what it could lead to.

I've seen stuff on the 'tube that cooks the batch in a slow cooker. It doesn't have to be pricy.

If you are looking to save money and haven't tried it yet I would suggest arko shaving soap. Some don't like the smell but I enjoy it, https://www.amazon.com/Arko-Shaving-.../dp/B000VAWZ2U

How many refill pucks can you possibly go through in a year? If you calculate the cost of soap per shave, I can't imagine saving much, if any, if you made your own soap. If your goal is to enjoy your shave, I'd keep using the soap that performs well for you.

Originally Posted by evnpar

How many refill pucks can you possibly go through in a year? If you calculate the cost of soap per shave, I can't imagine saving much, if any, if you made your own soap. If your goal is to enjoy your shave, I'd keep using the soap that performs well for you.

As with many hobbies, the end result of it is not to save money but to do it just because it's fun!

Christian1 hit it on the head brother... For the price nothing is better than Arko.. Get a decade worth for $20.00...

Originally Posted by Christian1

If you are looking to save money and haven't tried it yet I would suggest arko shaving soap. Some don't like the smell but I enjoy it, https://www.amazon.com/Arko-Shaving-.../dp/B000VAWZ2U

Thanks. I just bought the arko soap 12 pack. Checked the reviews and there actually is one person that said they swore by taylor of old bond street and switched to Arko and was just as good if not better. I will report back after trying it for awhile. That is much more reasonably priced if it lasts that long and is good, so i hope it is as good as you and other say.

I wasnt trying to make soap because i enjoy it. I was just trying to make it cheaper. But researching it the hassle of making soap and cost of materials makes it cheaper to just buy it (Even high priced soaps). I was just trying to reduce the cost, not become self sufficient.

I do have a styptic pencil, but only need it when i am rushing and cut myself. If i get a good lather, and make sure my razor is sharp, i dont have razor rash. Usually that is a sign to me that i need to slow down or tone up my razor. I also dont use aftershave. I do have multiple types, but i just dont understand the purpose of it besides scent?

I only use AS if i've nicked myself or have some irritation. I think the original purpose was to sterilize the face. Seems if i use it it helps the wounds heal faster and become less irritated looking.

The alum block is an antiseptic. It also constricts the pores and prevenst irritation. When you live in a climate where it is 90° + 7 or more months out of the year (It's not uncommon here for it to be in the '80s on New year's Day. I usually barbecue) and especially when you work outside no matter how much you tone your razor or take your time It will burn when you sweat. The alum block prevents that completely for me. I've been riding around in a van with no AC for over 3 years and I never get burn from a shave. Perhaps you don't work in that same kind of environment or maybe that's not an issue for you where you live and I'm not saying you're wrong I'm just further explaining the use of it. I don't use a scented after-shave either. I use rubbing alcohol. Plain old 70% solution isopropyl alcohol. I have never really cared much for the scent and because of zicam I lost most of my sense of smell anyway (although some of it has come back but that's beside the point) but I've always worked in the trades and it's just never been a thing for me. I use rubbing alcohol as a further antiseptic.
I don't want to come across as preachy because everyone has to do it the way that works for them. If what you do works for you then keep doing it that way. I've always done it my own way also. On the other hand I've learned a lot from people who have told me things they do when I already had a set way of doing it.