Slab or log mold?

[unmouton]

Which do you think creates prettier bars? It may be the quality of my log mold, but when I make a soap log and cut it, the bars come out a little wonky (because of crooked cuts) and obviously the top has texture, which I don't always like.

I've never had a slab/flat mold, but I'm considering purchasing one. I know you still have to cut your soap in cross sections... but do any of you prefer the look of your soap from one as opposed to the other?

 

[holly99]

I have found that I have a harder time getting a straight cut on a slab. At least with the log mold I can use a miter box. The slab I've been using is the pink silicone one from WSP. It has indentations but I really think dividers would be the best for a slab.

ETA: I think the slab soaps can be really pretty with a swirl. I tend to always take my soap to a thicker trace so I can do more fun things with the top of the loaf. I think both can be very nice and I like switching it up.

 

[evergreen]

I prefer the bars from my log molds. Do you have miter box for a cleaner cut? I trim some of the tops off...some I don't. I'm trying to decide what I like better. I trim the sides and bottoms on every bar. I keep the shavings and rebatch them. I have a slab mold and I don't like it. The bars are smaller (it has preset cut lines and a blade). I find that if the pour height isn't just right, there's a lot of waste since the bars are out of proportion. I do have silicone brownie pans that I like for milk soap slabs. I can cut those in a way I like now. I think it's important to have the faster cooling slab molds for milk soaps (unless you use fancy molds) and I like the log molds for veggie soaps. I do hot process soaps mostly (cp for milk soaps mostly) and I put some microwave plastic wrap on the top of the log molds and then press it down with a spatula to smooth the tops. There's less waste that way and I don't have to trim much.

 

[TessC]

I adore my slab mold and only use a log mold for a specific few soaps now, but I use a divider mold so cutting straight bars isn't an issue. Cutting never has been my strong point, heh.

 

[unmouton]

I guess I'm thinking of getting a divider slab mold, you would think I was a six year old if you saw my soap cuts! One more question... if you have a divider mold, insert the dividers before or after? And do the dividers interfere with lining it? Sorry to hijack my own thread :/

 

[IrishLass]

I have the best of both worlds in one mold- I have 2 convertable log/slab molds from Diana's Sugar Plum Sundries. They can be used either way. I really love them.

I mostly like to use them in the slab mode, but there are a few of my special soap batches that I like to use in the log mode, such as my honey soaps in which I use bubble wrap as my liner, and my occassional HP batches.

They don't have dividers, but I'm able to do fine without them as long as I have my ruler, long carving knife, and beveler.

IrishLass

 

[soapbuddy]

I guess I'm thinking of getting a divider slab mold, you would think I was a six year old if you saw my soap cuts! One more question... if you have a divider mold, insert the dividers before or after? And do the dividers interfere with lining it? Sorry to hijack my own thread :/

If you get the SoapHutch divider mold you won't need to line it all. The dividers go in after you pour the soap in.

 

[cwarren]

http://www.kelseiscreations.com/page3.html --- I'm trying to buy from these guys a slab mold with divider 9 bars .. 49.00 but they are not answering the phone.. I cant cut bars the same to save my life !!

 

[kwahlne]

I'm in love with my custom slab molds with dividers designed by me and handcrafted by my stepfather.

No cutting, no trimming, no waste and I have the size and shape I wanted. The more I use it, the easier it is to remove the soap. Best of all, no lining!