Thread: Tabac

I use tabac more on less on a weekly basis. I usually let some hot water sit on top of it while I take a shower and then rub the brush on it for half a minute or so and then lather in a different bowl. At first, it seemed like a normal puck of soap. Well, maybe this is normal, but this is the only soap that this has happened to me. After a couple of weeks, the soap swelled up a noticeable amount. After a few months, there seemed to be these small columns growing out of it after I let it sit for a couple of days after I use it. They looked like little worms at first, but they were definitely part of the soap. Then, last week, the puck looked to be getting somewhat soft, so I stuck my finger in it, and I poked through to the bottom of the container it came in. Maybe I added too much water to it over the last few months. I dug all the soap out and squished it up in my hands to make it consistent, and now it is a cream. A very thick cream, but still a cream. Still seems to work well, but I no longer have to let it soak in any water when I use it. So, I'm wondering, is this soap going to do anything else before it is all said and done?

I've never heard of this happening before. Some of my soaps swell a little or crack slightly, but there is no effect on performance. Did you let the soap dry out before covering it? I love my Tabac.

Jordan

Did you leave water on it after your shave? it sounds very much like it got waterlogged. This happened to me with a puck of MWF--which is why we shouldn't "soak" our pucks.

Always drain your soaps guys! ALWAYS drain your soaps.

Originally Posted by jnich67

I've never heard of this happening before. Some of my soaps swell a little or crack slightly, but there is no effect on performance. Did you let the soap dry out before covering it? I love my Tabac.

Jordan

Well, like I said, I use it about once a week. I think the little columns came from it drying out and shrinking back to where it had started, squeezing out the little pilars. When I'm done shaving and cleaning up the counter, I usually rinse the top of the soap with cold water and wipe out the extra lather with my fingers. I then turn the soap upside down to drain the water for a second, put the lid on, and put it back on the shelf.

Originally Posted by JimR

Did you leave water on it after your shave? it sounds very much like it got waterlogged. This happened to me with a puck of MWF--which is why we shouldn't "soak" our pucks.

Always drain your soaps guys! ALWAYS drain your soaps.

I try not to let too much water stay on the puck for storage, but I don't really go out of my way to make sure it's dry, either. It does soak for 5-10 minutes while I'm in the shower. Maybe that's too long.

This doesn't seem to happen to any of my other soaps, though. Then again, this is the only soap I have that hasn't been reformed by either shaving and pressing, or by melting, or was a cream to start off with. Thanks for the replies.

Crazycliff, as others have said this could be due to the presoaking of the soap itself. I do realize that many members advocate this pratice, and it does work, but as the saying goes there are many ways to skin a cat. Kaptain Zero posted a great step by step account of how to create great lather without soaking the soap first. It works really well.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...-problems.html

If this link doesn't work it is #208 in the Soaps & Creams archives.

Thanks Ryan, I've wondered where the Kaptain has been. I enjoy his posts.

On the Tabac, I put just a splash of hot water on the puck while to soften it a bit while I am in the shower. I too use Tabac but not that often. I have went clean through MWF , Trumpers and DR Harris with no problems. When I am done shaving I do leave the lid off for hours before I replace it. Always worried about something growing in there if I closed it up while it was still wet.

I don’t seal the top on the container my Tabac lives in. Sealing leaves the soap soft and spongy. It usually goes about 5 days between uses.

I usually pour a few drops on the soap right before I start to lather. I use more water in the brush than you might otherwise to charge and work up a too-concentrated lather right on the soap. I then dilute that down to the right strength in my scuttle. Works for me. As always, YMMV.

Maybe if you shorten the time you leave water on the soap, as has been suggested. I usually just put a splash of warm water on mine to sit while I strop - so its only there for a minute or two. I also leave the soap uncovered for a few hours before putting it away - while at work or whatever.

Jordan