Thread: Grating Shave Soap

I have no idea why this post has not received more attention, especially given the amount of interest that grating soap, and other similar subjects generate in this forum. Sometimes, I think that people pay way too much attention to shaping their soaps to a container, what do you think? After all, this is time that could very well be used for shaving... Or, isn't it just easier to buy the manufacturer's bowl and forget about all the reshaping? Or do the $aving$ justify the extra effort? I am not even going to mention more involved methods that people use for reshaping here.... Even when people buy the original container the issue of a perfect fit comes up, see this: http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...4-mwf-jar.html
Reshaping seems to be everywhere. Now, wolfmanXIII spent a considerable amount of time to to show us how to reshape soaps, I certainly appreciate threads like this when I find them. Often threads/posts that truly informative and are based on solid, well documented facts generate less of a response than those based on conjecture, opinions, myths of personal beliefs. Perhaps having direct evidence somewhat prevents people from posting.... If I could make a suggestion to the moderators team and the wiki crew, I think that this video should be included as a part of the general information in the soap section.

Al raz.

Good video, he uses nearly the exact same method I do on all my hard soaps. I grate the whole puck and put in a large bowl and mix just a little glyceryn with it then pack it in a bowl a little at a time, the glyceryn gives it a little extra glide. This is especialy good on Tabac and put it back in the cremic jar it came in. I have found that putting the whole puck of Tabac back in the jar, it gets what I call "gunky" at the bottom after a while, and I don't like that.

Originally Posted by Alraz

Sometimes, I think that people pay way too much attention to shaping their soaps to a container, what do you think? After all, this is time that could very well be used for shaving... Or, isn't it just easier to buy the manufacturer's bowl and forget about all the reshaping? Or do the $aving$ justify the extra effort?

I gained an interest in this when I had the same problem many people have; chasing a puck of soap around their mug, or having a puck that's too big. Yes, IMHO the savings is worth it...MWF refill=$19.99 MWF bowl and soap $49.99. With that $30 I have enough money to buy those bowls from my video for 6-7 soaps, a grater, and another soap to try out or what have you. I will admit though that because I'm a big Tabac fan I did buy the Tabac soap in the bowl

Originally Posted by Alraz

Now, wolfmanXIII spent a considerable amount of time to to show us how to reshape soaps, I certainly appreciate threads like this when I find them. Often threads/posts that truly informative and are based on solid, well documented facts generate less of a response than those based on conjecture, opinions, myths of personal beliefs. Perhaps having direct evidence somewhat prevents people from posting.... If I could make a suggestion to the moderators team and the wiki crew, I think that this video should be included as a part of the general information in the soap section.

Al raz.

Thanks you for your kind words Al, I truly appreciate the support and acknowledgement. I just want to help out however I can. I know I've received a lot of help and I would like to pass it on and help others as best I can. I figure video demonstrations are an excellent way to help people to understand things more thouroughly. The Wiki is a great tool and to have helped add to the wealth of information it contains would be an honor and a privilege in my eyes. Thanks again for your comprehensive response and recommendation Al!

Originally Posted by Superspot

Good video, he uses nearly the exact same method I do on all my hard soaps. I grate the whole puck and put in a large bowl and mix just a little glyceryn with it then pack it in a bowl a little at a time, the glyceryn gives it a little extra glide. This is especialy good on Tabac and put it back in the cremic jar it came in. I have found that putting the whole puck of Tabac back in the jar, it gets what I call "gunky" at the bottom after a while, and I don't like that.

Hey superspot, good tip I have thought about using that as a way to improve soaps by doing things such as adding glycerin. You are correct, especially with Tabac having such a rich easily formed lather, it does have a tendency to leave behind that lather gunk, I have a D.R. Harriss soap that did that too.

This is a good video.

Thanks hammer! Maybe this cheese grater business will start a new CGAD complete with collecting vintage cheese graters from antique stores!

Little does everybody know I just work for a cheese grater manufacturer and am looking to increase sales

Good video Wolf, Thanks. Many more should see this.

Great Video ! Very helpful.

An idea that you may want to try that I find easier for me is to just cut off a sliver if the soap and press it into the bottom of your shaving bowl. This way the puck stays in a one piece , dry condition so it can be stored in it's original packaging, so you always know what it is.
I just press the sliver into the bottom of the bowl and lather as if it were the whole puck. I actually think it's easier to make a lather this way.