[GilaMinumBeer]

Originally Posted by dataz722

I think I tried a Darby and it was ok. I might be confusing it with something else though.

I really should try and keep better track of what works and what doesn't.

Too soon to tell for me. Can't be sure if the lack of closeness is the fault of the blade or the user.

[Pappers_]

Originally Posted by GilaMinumBeer

- I had a really hard time locating Witch Hazel tonic locally. Between this and a styptic pencil, I MUCH prefer the Witch Hazel as an after shave splash.

I also throw a splash of witch hazel on after shaving. It is available here at most of the chain drugs stores - I've bought it at Walgreens and Osco.

[GilaMinumBeer]

Originally Posted by Pappers_

I also throw a splash of witch hazel on after shaving. It is available here at most of the chain drugs stores - I've bought it at Walgreens and Osco.

Yup.

I checked WalGreens, WalMart, a shave shop, Bath and Body, etc...

Finally found a Generic at Homeland in the First Aid section. 86% Witch Hazel extract, 14% Alcohol.

Was terrified the first time I used after a shave that it would be like splashing cologne on while the pores were still wide open.

Not even close. Barely even a tingle. Any nicks close up immediately and very little sign of razor burn in the following days (razor burn for me doesn't usually show up until after I have sweated).

[Inodoro_Pereyra]

Originally Posted by GilaMinumBeer

Care to share your soap "recipe".

Sure. Here it is.

This is for a total oil weight of 140g, which will give you about 1/2 Lb of soap.

Coconut oil...18g
Castor oil.....70g
Lard............17g
Beef tallow...35g

Biodiesel glycerin (purified)...35g
Sodium lactate...................3.5g
Coconut milk.......................21g
Titanium dioxide..............1/4Tbs

Water....................21g
Lye (NaOH)............19g

You can sub the biodiesel glycerin for commercial glycerin, but it's important that you use it, as it provides most of the moisturizing, together with the castor oil. Let me know if you have made soap already, so, if you haven't I'll give you directions.

[GilaMinumBeer]

Originally Posted by Inodoro_Pereyra

Sure. Here it is.

This is for a total oil weight of 140g, which will give you about 1/2 Lb of soap.

Coconut oil...18g
Castor oil.....70g
Lard............17g
Beef tallow...35g

Biodiesel glycerin (purified)...35g
Sodium lactate...................3.5g
Coconut milk.......................21g
Titanium dioxide..............1/4Tbs

Water....................21g
Lye (NaOH)............19g

You can sub the biodiesel glycerin for commercial glycerin, but it's important that you use it, as it provides most of the moisturizing, together with the castor oil. Let me know if you have made soap already, so, if you haven't I'll give you directions.

Have never made soap before. Does it require some sort of "cooking" or, is there a method to the mixing to get everything to blend properly?

[Pilgarlic]

I use a DE razor with cheap, bulk DE blades that came from somewhere in Eastern Europe via Amazon.com, with the cheapest canned shaving cream I can find. Shave my head and my face. Smooth, close, clean. No problem. Oh... I shave in the shower. No mirror, no cleanup.

[GilaMinumBeer]

Originally Posted by Pilgarlic

I use a DE razor with cheap, bulk DE blades that came from somewhere in Eastern Europe via Amazon.com, with the cheapest canned shaving cream I can find. Shave my head and my face. Smooth, close, clean. No problem. Oh... I shave in the shower. No mirror, no cleanup.

I do this with my head. And will grab some of those cheaper blades next time I see them (You just never know).

Would love to be able to shave in the shower with no mirror.

[Inodoro_Pereyra]

Originally Posted by GilaMinumBeer

Have never made soap before. Does it require some sort of "cooking" or, is there a method to the mixing to get everything to blend properly?

Yep. Here it goes.

You will need a small SS pot, a whisk, a mold (i just poured it into an old olive jar), and all the safety gear (rubber gloves, googles, etc) you feel comfortable wearing. Lye is nasty stuff.

Measure the water, and put it in the freezer for a while. You want a thin layer of ice forming in the surface.
Once it's cool enough, measure all the ingredients, label them clearly, and put them all on a surface you can work on, and you have a stove and a sink available (yeah, the kitchen is a good place, if you don't have kids. Make sure to keep the lye in a closed container, so it doesn't absorb moisture from the air.

Open the faucet a little, so you have running water available, should your skin come in contact with the lye water. If you have vinegar, keep it at hand for the same purpose.

Put the tallow and lard in the pot, and melt them, being careful not to overheat them. Add the rest of the oils, and the glycerin, and stir. If the mixture tends to go cloudy, heat a little more, but keep it as cool as possible.
Take the water off the freezer, and break the ice.
Mix the titanium dioxide with the milk.
Start pouring the lye SLOWLY on the water, while mixing with a SS spoon. Check the water temperature (just put your hand outside the jar) every now and then. If the water gets too hot, put it in the freezer for a few minutes, while keeping the lye closed.
Once you totally dissolved the lye in the water, start pouring it slowly into the oils, while stirring somewhat intensely, but make sure you don't splash lye water anywhere. While mixing, add the sodium lactate and the coconut milk, and start whisking. After a few minutes, you will see the liquid will get thicker, pretty much like apple sauce. Pour it into your mold, put it in a dry place, and forget about it for a month.

Enjoy!

[dataz722]

Originally Posted by Pappers_

I also throw a splash of witch hazel on after shaving. It is available here at most of the chain drugs stores - I've bought it at Walgreens and Osco.

I have a bottle of the co bigelow aftershave balm that I really like. I have tried 5 or so different things and it is my favorite so far. Works the best and smells the best out of all I have tried.

I haven't tried just straight witch hazel yet though. I have had trouble finding it.

Originally Posted by Pilgarlic

I use a DE razor with cheap, bulk DE blades that came from somewhere in Eastern Europe via Amazon.com, with the cheapest canned shaving cream I can find. Shave my head and my face. Smooth, close, clean. No problem. Oh... I shave in the shower. No mirror, no cleanup.

I wish I could shave in the shower but with a goatee that makes it a little difficult.

[GilaMinumBeer]

Originally Posted by Inodoro_Pereyra

Yep. Here it goes.

You will need a small SS pot, a whisk, a mold (i just poured it into an old olive jar), and all the safety gear (rubber gloves, googles, etc) you feel comfortable wearing. Lye is nasty stuff.

Measure the water, and put it in the freezer for a while. You want a thin layer of ice forming in the surface.
Once it's cool enough, measure all the ingredients, label them clearly, and put them all on a surface you can work on, and you have a stove and a sink available (yeah, the kitchen is a good place, if you don't have kids. Make sure to keep the lye in a closed container, so it doesn't absorb moisture from the air.

Open the faucet a little, so you have running water available, should your skin come in contact with the lye water. If you have vinegar, keep it at hand for the same purpose.

Put the tallow and lard in the pot, and melt them, being careful not to overheat them. Add the rest of the oils, and the glycerin, and stir. If the mixture tends to go cloudy, heat a little more, but keep it as cool as possible.
Take the water off the freezer, and break the ice.
Mix the titanium dioxide with the milk.
Start pouring the lye SLOWLY on the water, while mixing with a SS spoon. Check the water temperature (just put your hand outside the jar) every now and then. If the water gets too hot, put it in the freezer for a few minutes, while keeping the lye closed.
Once you totally dissolved the lye in the water, start pouring it slowly into the oils, while stirring somewhat intensely, but make sure you don't splash lye water anywhere. While mixing, add the sodium lactate and the coconut milk, and start whisking. After a few minutes, you will see the liquid will get thicker, pretty much like apple sauce. Pour it into your mold, put it in a dry place, and forget about it for a month.

Enjoy!

Why do I keep getting those cionematic flashes of "Fight Club" in my head as I read this?