Daryl’s First-Evah Shave Soaps...

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...also my first attempt at hot process soaping. The YouTubes were honestly SO helpful. My process was text-book in every phase “mashed potato,” “applesauce,” “glue.” I knew what to expect at each step along the way.
 
Worst part for this recipe was getting the bentonite clay dispersed enough to incorporate.
Take some soap out of the batch; add the clay and mix thoroughly; add it back in; mix for one full minute. ;)

ETA: Those cups are so pretty! I hope the soap doesn't ruin them You might want to switch to pouring into a silicone 8-cavity round mold. Makes a 2.3" diameter X 1.5" deep "puck" -- just the right size for dropping into any type of shave bowl, mug, cup, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/RETON-8-Cavity-Silicone-Cheesecake-Cornbread/dp/B00X2Y71W6
 
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HP wasn’t nearly as intimidating as I expected. In fact, I felt as if I had more control of the process than with CP. Worst part for this recipe was getting the bentonite clay dispersed enough to incorporate.
I've always said the same for me personally. CP always made me feel I'm back to making my first ever batch and have no idea what I'm doing lol

Gonna try HP solid soap next? :p

Enjoy your travels! :)
 
No! We’re in Florida this week.

If you have a chance to visit Essential Depot in Sebring, they are really nice people. I have yet to visit there myself, but the staff come to every soaping conference I have been to, and they are always so friendly.

Essential Depot
2029 US-27, Sebring, FL 33870
 
If you have a chance to visit Essential Depot in Sebring, they are really nice people. I have yet to visit there myself, but the staff come to every soaping conference I have been to, and they are always so friendly.

Essential Depot
2029 US-27, Sebring, FL 33870
Alas, we are in what I call “Southern Florida,” which ironically is actually in northern Florida along the panhandle in Sandestin.
 
Take some soap out of the batch; add the clay and mix thoroughly; add it back in; mix for one full minute. ;)

ETA: Those cups are so pretty! I hope the soap doesn't ruin them You might want to switch to pouring into a silicone 8-cavity round mold. Makes a 2.3" diameter X 1.5" deep "puck" -- just the right size for dropping into any type of shave bowl, mug, cup, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/RETON-8-Cavity-Silicone-Cheesecake-Cornbread/dp/B00X2Y71W6
You bring up a good point. They are supposedly “stainless steel” but the jury is out on that. I think CP would done. A real number on them, plus if I plan to sell, I doubt many customers will be willing to pay even my cost for what is basically a single-use shave scuttle. Either they are already wet shavers and have their own scuttle or wanting to try it, so disposable makes more sense. Live and learn.
 
Bentonite is terrible to work with, try kaolin next time or leave it out altogether. A good formulated shave soap doesn't need clay.
I tried using hot water do disperse it. That made a mud pie. Then I finally mixed the mud pie it in my EOs and a little glycerin that worked great. I own a whole bag of it, so I’m using it if it harelips the Devil. I’ve read up on the clay/no clay shave controversy, but since I had the stuff I figured why not give it a go.
 
I have some that was originally for a face mask, its clumps and sticks something terrible.
Kaolin mixes with water nice and easy, no sticky clumps.
Clay and I don't get along, it destroys my skin.

Now I use it when I make homemade fish food. It has a lot of minerals that aquarium fish often lack when eating dry prepared foods.
 
I have some that was originally for a face mask, its clumps and sticks something terrible.
Kaolin mixes with water nice and easy, no sticky clumps.
Clay and I don't get along, it destroys my skin.

Now I use it when I make homemade fish food. It has a lot of minerals that aquarium fish often lack when eating dry prepared foods.
I bought rose kaolin clay and used it in the charcoal soap I just made. You’re right—-completely different from bentonite. I was amazed at how the bentonite changed its the EOs and or glycerin. I wish I knew which one loosened it up. I’ll have to experiment with that.
 
I bought rose kaolin clay and used it in the charcoal soap I just made. You’re right—-completely different from bentonite. The kaolin was so silky and easy to incorporate. I was amazed at how the bentonite changed from mixing with water to the EOs and or glycerin. I wish I knew which one loosened it up. I’ll have to experiment with that.
 
Bentonite clay is an "expansive" clay, meaning it swells in volume when it gets wet. That's why dry bentonite clay granules are poured into drinking water wells that are being taken out of service. The bentonite absorbs water, swells up, and plugs the well so rain and other surface water can't get into the groundwater. It's also the clay in clumping kitty litter that makes it clump. Give it lots of water and a little time so it can swell all it needs to swell. Other clays need some time to become wetted through and through, but they don't necessarily swell.
 
I've always said the same for me personally. CP always made me feel I'm back to making my first ever batch and have no idea what I'm doing lol

Gonna try HP solid soap next? :p

Enjoy your travels! :)
Well, sorta. I’m looking at the papaya bar here at the hotel and thinking transparent “glycerin” soap might be fun.
 
Take some soap out of the batch; add the clay and mix thoroughly; add it back in; mix for one full minute. ;)

ETA: Those cups are so pretty! I hope the soap doesn't ruin them You might want to switch to pouring into a silicone 8-cavity round mold. Makes a 2.3" diameter X 1.5" deep "puck" -- just the right size for dropping into any type of shave bowl, mug, cup, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/RETON-8-Cavity-Silicone-Cheesecake-Cornbread/dp/B00X2Y71W6
I tossed the puck idea around here on the forum. In retrospect that sounds more reasonable from a sales perspective...i.e. buy my soap, but use your own scuttle. These will end up being gifts for friends — assuming they perform well, that is. If I made pucks, I was thinking about going the pvc route (either HP or CP). I’ve been resisting buying individual molds as thats one more thing to clutter Up the soap cabinet/closet, and I’m not sure I would use them very often.

On a slightly tangential subject, do you have to pout transparent soap into individual molds, or can it be cut?
 
The beauty of transparent soap excels in individual molds like the Victorian line... hearts, blossoms, fleur de lis, etc.
 

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