I have use stearic acid in many soaps and I have also made 100% stearic acid soap bars.
It is difficult to handle because it forms trace immediately! In less than a second trace is formed.
It is much easier to handle it using KOH rather than NaOH but this will give you a very soft soap. Good for shaving, not well for washing hands.
The 100% stearic acid soap will be hard and will give you a rich lather.