local ontario shaving soaps

I should mention that I'm a newbie to straight razor shaving. I've purchased a razor from SRP classifieds and am waiting for it to come through the post.

I'm trying to find a place in Ontario (preferably in Ottawa) that sells shaving soaps. The only thing I can seem to find locally is Proraso (147g, $8), found at a local pharmacy. I've heard good things about this soap so I plan to try it out...but (1) it looks really soft to be proper shaving soap, and (2) I'm looking for a bay rum scent.

I can't seem to find any place in Ottawa or Ontario that carries it... a local barber shop recommended classicshaving.com, and a bit of detective work on my part provided me with these options:

1. Colleen Hurley's @ thegentlemensquarter.com (3 oz for $15)
2. Classic Brand @ classicshaving.com (2.5" puck for $5)
3. Col. Ichabod Conk's @ RasagePoulin.com (2.5" puck for $5)

Any feedback on these brands? Anyone have any experience buying locally in my area? Lastly, anyone in Canada have any feedback on customs fees and such for purchasing from US?

Thanks!

Premium shaving supplies are scarce in my neck of the woods too. Congrats if you find a local supplier.

To answer some of your questions...

Go ahead and pick up some Proraso soap. It does seem a bit soft at first, but it lathers extremely easy (compared to harder triple milled soaps) and it's a great performer too. Can't beat it for the price.

Out of the 3 brands you listed, I've only tried TGQ. Personally I think there's better soaps out there, but Colleen has a strong following here so others will certainly disagree with me.

As for customs I've never been charged additionally for supplies, but one time I was for a razor (out of several I've purchased through the States). It seems our customs boys will only ding you when they want to!
Go ahead and order from the US as our dollar reaches parity, lots of deals to be had.....

The two online vendor's here in Canada with the best selection are.

www.fendrihan.com

www.rasagepoulin.com

Maca Root shave cream from the Body Shop!

I use it every day and love it

I like Proraso `Pre-Post' cream and shave cream. You can
get them at Shopper's Drug Mart, if I'm not mistaken. I've
also seen some Omega boar brushes at either Shopper's or
London Drugs, if you haven't a brush yet.

:gl:

- Scott

hi sebell, I did indeed see the omega boar's brushes at my local shoppers. I picked one up along with some proraso shave soap (I don't believe they had the pre-post cream).

looks good to start but it seems that there is very limited shave soap selection. That is, the proraso was the only choice!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andrewpohran

hi sebell, I did indeed see the omega boar's brushes at my local shoppers. I picked one up along with some proraso shave soap (I don't believe they had the pre-post cream).

looks good to start but it seems that there is very limited shave soap selection. That is, the proraso was the only choice!

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The Proraso soap is really more of a dense cream -- the
two products are really quite similar. There are some tips
and tricks for using a boar brush as well (I've not used
one myself), so be sure to do some searching and ask
around. I think some people recommend soaking the brush
for a few minutes before building your lather.

- Scott

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wuff

The two online vendor's here in Canada with the best selection are.

www.fendrihan.com

www.rasagepoulin.com

---

I have bought from both of these vendors and had good service. Unfortunately, buying from the U.S. can get expensive ( shipping / customs ... ). On my two purchases so far from U.S. based vendors I was dinged by customs ( for razors ). If you can get the product that you want in Canada do so, if not, you have two choices - assume the cost or go to plan B.


Ken

On the odd chance that my post might seem like a " buy Canadian don't buy American unless you must " nothing could be further from the truth. I like to spread the love on both sides of the border, but when I can spread it in Canada I find it goes little farther !


Ken

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andrewpohran

I should mention that I'm a newbie to straight razor shaving. I've purchased a razor from SRP classifieds and am waiting for it to come through the post.

I'm trying to find a place in Ontario (preferably in Ottawa) that sells shaving soaps. The only thing I can seem to find locally is Proraso (147g, $8), found at a local pharmacy. I've heard good things about this soap so I plan to try it out...but (1) it looks really soft to be proper shaving soap, and (2) I'm looking for a bay rum scent.

I can't seem to find any place in Ottawa or Ontario that carries it... a local barber shop recommended classicshaving.com, and a bit of detective work on my part provided me with these options:

1. Colleen Hurley's @ thegentlemensquarter.com (3 oz for $15)
2. Classic Brand @ classicshaving.com (2.5" puck for $5)
3. Col. Ichabod Conk's @ RasagePoulin.com (2.5" puck for $5)

Any feedback on these brands? Anyone have any experience buying locally in my area? Lastly, anyone in Canada have any feedback on customs fees and such for purchasing from US?

Thanks!

---

As far as feedback on the brands goes, I've only used TGQ out of the 3 brands you have listed there and I liked it quite a bit but you really have to experiment with getting a good lather from it.

I've generally found that when ordering from the states I don't get hit with customs fees if my order has a value under $100. Anything over that and usually what I end up paying is the tax (13%).

Your best bet is probably to order from one of the Canadian vendors listed above. They have a great selection and the shipping is MUCH faster and cheaper than coming from across the border.

It might sound strange, but La Bottega in the market sells shaving supplies, mostly Proraso. I don't know if they sell other brands.

I found that the Lincoln Heights Shoppers on Richmond in Ottawa also carries Proraso products.... but my local Shoppers and a couple others I tried didn't.

I came across this website while searching for places in Canada to buy shaving supplies. Seems to be a barber shop that also has creams, soaps, brushes, etc....although a limited variety. If you get to Montreal sometime stop in at Vasco on St. Catherine, just east of Cresent st. They have a fairly wide selection of shaving goods....but way expensive so find a product you like there then buy it online.

http://www.menessentials.com/

Men essentials is on Richmond and Churchill and sells AOS and I believe a few other brands along with some Dovo razors. In the market there is a cigar shop, Ottawa cigar emporium on Clarence they also have AOS, so far that is all I have found, oh yeah there is The Barbers Chair in the Rideau Centre also has a few soaps, and don't forget Crabtree and Evelyn I love their Sienna. If you find more I would love to know. I have made several purchases on line from the US and have yet to be charged any customs fees.

Beauty. Well for now I'm using my Proraso from Shoppers and will start up the search again when I start to run low. Some great places to look through... thanks!

Have you ever thought of making your own? I registered on here to find out a bit more about shaving soaps to make some for my friends husbands for christmas presents. I make soap. Its pretty easy but a little time consuming. I can post some recipes here if you are interested, well if anyone is or has questions about shaving soap.

There are a couple of other places in Ontario Italian Barber Online Shaving Supplies and The Classic Edge Shaving Store Your Straight Razor Specialists. . I see you are in WPG so for sure you should have a The Body Shop store from which you should be able to wangle a free sample of their Maca Root shave cream, it is good. Also take another look at Shopper Drug Mart as they should carry both pre and post shave Proraso products, they do here.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cuardach

Have you ever thought of making your own? I registered on here to find out a bit more about shaving soaps to make some for my friends husbands for christmas presents. I make soap. Its pretty easy but a little time consuming. I can post some recipes here if you are interested, well if anyone is or has questions about shaving soap.

---

I would be interested in trying to make some Shaving soap.

You will be treated like a king if you order from classicedge.ca. Phil and Jane are amazing people. You might even get some free stuff too, if you ask nicely!! Sephora is also a store that has mens shaving supplies. I get my Art of shaving sandalwood there, which is my all time fav!!!

While I live in NY, I've used the Italian Barber and found their serve and prices to good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Antoine

It might sound strange, but La Bottega in the market sells shaving supplies, mostly Proraso. I don't know if they sell other brands.

---

Thanks for the tip - I have been by there many times but never thought to check it out. :)

Imperial Barber Shop in Ottawa (at least the one on Bank - I haven't been to their other location yet) has a selection of their own brand of soaps. I haven't tried any of them yet. They also usually have a few aftershaves, DE & straight razors, a couple of strops, and a fair number of brushes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TrilliumLT

I would be interested in trying to make some Shaving soap.

---

Trillium
Recipe's fairly lengthy did you want me to PM it to you? or post it here

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cuardach

Trillium
Recipe's fairly lengthy did you want me to PM it to you? or post it here

---

I'd be willing to bet there are plenty of guys who would be interested in it - including me! :) If you decide not to post it, I'd be grateful if you could PM it to me as well. I have a friend who is a soap maker but who has not made any shaving soaps yet. Maybe if I make a batch to show her I might be able to change her mind.

Cangooner I don't mind posting the recipe at all.

Its a bit labor intensive but the recipe will make you nearly 30 ounces of soap enough for 6-8 bars.This recipe costs me under 20 cents per weight ounce /under a dollar per bar cost but a soap maker will charge you 4 to 8 dollars per bar.

note of caution: be careful with the lye

Tools you will need:
A kitchen thermometer
digital scale
a hand blender
a crock pot
a heat proof container like a big pyrex measuring cup ( for the lye)
2 empty pringles cans
gloves and eye protection for working with the lye solution

These are ingredients for an all vegetable based soap where you can get all the ingredients at your local grocery store and the castor oil at a health food store.

For Ottawa folks:
I picked up the Castor Oil at the Natural Food pantry in Stittsville
and the rest at the grocery store (coconut oil is sold in the grocery store in the ethnic foods section)
the Lye i picked up at home hardware in Richmond

Recipe

Canola Oil 3 ( oz wt)
Castor Oil 2( oz wt)
Coconut Oil 4.5( oz wt)
Olive Oil 10( oz wt)
All Vegetable Shortening 8( oz wt)

Lye 3.7 ( oz wt)
10 fluid ounces of water

1.Weigh the oils and place in crock pot,


2.take a bowl fill with half and half water and vinegar and add some dish soap ( this is in case you splash any lye on your skin the soapy acidic water mix neutralizes the lye)While wearing eye protection ( glasses or goggles) and neoprene gloves, go outside make sure you are up wind from the container and make sure you add the lye to the water not the water to the lye.

• pour the solid lye into the water, stir well. Set aside and allow to cool (100° F to 125° F). This is best done outside while you are standing upwind as the fumes coming off the lye are toxic and the lye reaches a temperature of nearly 160 degrees Fahrenheit
• Check the oils in the crock pot . Once the fats and oils are melted allow the temperature to drop to 100° F to 125° F.
• Combine lye solution and melted oils in the crock pot when the temperature of both falls under 125° F. The temperatures don't have to be exact just both the oil and the lye solution need to be under 125 degrees. Be careful not to splash while combining the mixtures (if you do rinse whatever body part got splashed with lye with the vinegar soap solution).
• Stir with a hand blender until the mixture traces.
• Tracing looks like a thick custard It will support a drop, or your stir marks for several seconds. Once tracing occurs...put a lid on the crock pot place it on high and take a break for an hour while the mix cooks (this to folks that make soap is called hot processing)
• With hot processing the soap can be used as soon as it hardens as the hot process cooks off all the lye in the mixture
• after an hour stir the mixture up , it will look almost translucent on the edges which is normal

At this point you can add scent if you want, recommended essential oils: lavender, sandalwood, orange oil, patchouli your choice
Also some shaving soaps call for clay as it assists the razor to glide over your skin. If you want to add clay to your mix let me know and i will post how to do so.

If you are adding scent add 2 teaspoons essential oil of your choice to the mixture (if your skin reacts play it safe and add half the amount of scent, you can always heat up the soap at any time til it melts and add more if the scent is too mild), stir again then scoop into your 2 pringles cans, tap the can as you are filling to remove air bubbles
leave the cans over night and the next day peel away the pringles can, slice your soap into bars, and use.

I hope thats enough information, any questions feel free to ask

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cuardach

Cangooner I don't mind posting the recipe at all.

Its a bit labor intensive but the recipe will make you nearly 30 ounces of soap enough for 6-8 bars.This recipe costs me under 20 cents per weight ounce /under a dollar per bar cost but a soap maker will charge you 4 to 8 dollars per bar.

note of caution: be careful with the lye

Tools you will need:
A kitchen thermometer
digital scale
a hand blender
a crock pot
a heat proof container like a big pyrex measuring cup ( for the lye)
2 empty pringles cans
gloves and eye protection for working with the lye solution

These are ingredients for an all vegetable based soap where you can get all the ingredients at your local grocery store and the castor oil at a health food store.

For Ottawa folks:
I picked up the Castor Oil at the Natural Food pantry in Stittsville
and the rest at the grocery store (coconut oil is sold in the grocery store in the ethnic foods section)
the Lye i picked up at home hardware in Richmond

Recipe

Canola Oil 3 ( oz wt)
Castor Oil 2( oz wt)
Coconut Oil 4.5( oz wt)
Olive Oil 10( oz wt)
All Vegetable Shortening 8( oz wt)

Lye 3.7 ( oz wt)
10 fluid ounces of water

1.Weigh the oils and place in crock pot,


2.take a bowl fill with half and half water and vinegar and add some dish soap ( this is in case you splash any lye on your skin the soapy acidic water mix neutralizes the lye)While wearing eye protection ( glasses or goggles) and neoprene gloves, go outside make sure you are up wind from the container and make sure you add the lye to the water not the water to the lye.

• pour the solid lye into the water, stir well. Set aside and allow to cool (100° F to 125° F). This is best done outside while you are standing upwind as the fumes coming off the lye are toxic and the lye reaches a temperature of nearly 160 degrees Fahrenheit
• Check the oils in the crock pot . Once the fats and oils are melted allow the temperature to drop to 100° F to 125° F.
• Combine lye solution and melted oils in the crock pot when the temperature of both falls under 125° F. The temperatures don't have to be exact just both the oil and the lye solution need to be under 125 degrees. Be careful not to splash while combining the mixtures (if you do rinse whatever body part got splashed with lye with the vinegar soap solution).
• Stir with a hand blender until the mixture traces.
• Tracing looks like a thick custard It will support a drop, or your stir marks for several seconds. Once tracing occurs...put a lid on the crock pot place it on high and take a break for an hour while the mix cooks (this to folks that make soap is called hot processing)
• With hot processing the soap can be used as soon as it hardens as the hot process cooks off all the lye in the mixture
• after an hour stir the mixture up , it will look almost translucent on the edges which is normal

At this point you can add scent if you want, recommended essential oils: lavender, sandalwood, orange oil, patchouli your choice
Also some shaving soaps call for clay as it assists the razor to glide over your skin. If you want to add clay to your mix let me know and i will post how to do so.

If you are adding scent add 2 teaspoons essential oil of your choice to the mixture (if your skin reacts play it safe and add half the amount of scent, you can always heat up the soap at any time til it melts and add more if the scent is too mild), stir again then scoop into your 2 pringles cans, tap the can as you are filling to remove air bubbles
leave the cans over night and the next day peel away the pringles can, slice your soap into bars, and use.

I hope thats enough information, any questions feel free to ask

---

Awesome I for one will be trying this. Thank You for sharing.

Colin

Italian Barber Online Shaving Supplies, canadian vendor with excellent service, I have bought from these guys several times.

olive oil is often not recommened for shaving soap, i think because it doesnt lather well.. maybe try the recipe without olive oil and some other oil instead.. more coconut oil?

A good deal of the soaps out there are based off of olive oil. Its actually the ratio of the other oils that gives it a moisturizing content and lather. coconut oil produces a high amount of lather however you don't want to go over 20% in the recipe as it becomes drying to the skin

Castor oil is a thick, clear oil that helps increase the lather in soap - a rich, creamy lather. It's also a humectant (attracts moisture to your skin) oil. Just a little will do...5% - 8% in your recipe will work wonders. Shampoo bars often use 10%-15%...but more than that and you get a soft bar of soap. Castor oil has a fatty acid makeup that's completely unique - which makes what it contributes to your soap (the rich, creamy lather) unique. I have the castor oil in the above recipe a little under 6%

Canola is a good economical oil for soap making Its recommended it as part of your batch at 10-15%. It gives a nice, low, creamy lather and is moisturizing. It will slow down the rate at which your soap will get to trace.I have the canola at just under 11%
What i can do for you ezpz is recrunch the numbers and increase the castor and the coconut to the higher limit but I won't have tested a complete batch.
I actually teach soap making workshops here locally.
The biggest thing when changing a recipe is to take into account that in addition to lather and moisture content each oil has a different effect on the chemical reaction to produce your soap. Its not terribly recommended for a beginner to adjust recipes, but you can. Just put the recipe through a lye calculator prior to making. I even double check new recipes from other experienced soap makers by putting the ingredients through a lye calculator just to make sure as the lye is incredibly caustic if not combined effectively.
There are 2 online lye calculators for those out there : soapcalc, and www.thesage.com/calcs/lyecalc2.php
The recipe i listed above does something called superfatting the lye used. It calculates a degree of excess to the lye in the recipe so all of the chemical is used up. The recipe above is superfatted to 6% excess oils

Proraso Products are the best out there for the price in my eyes. I always want to reach for them every single time I shave. But I gotta switch it up sometimes lol. Hope you have found the help from other members..it doesnt take long to get answers here at SRP :)