Derby (puck) shaving soap - my review and notes

[mharris127]

I just opened up my puck of Derby shave soap and run a test lather. I had already shaved today so I did not apply it to my face but I did apply the test lather I did to my arm and once I had enough water in it the soap felt reasonably slick. However, I must have dumped five to seven tablespoons of water on my soap on top of a moderately wet brush before I got a moist enough lather. If this continues past the first lathering this will be the thirstiest shaving soap I have ever used. The scent is sort of powdery fresh like a diluted talcum powder, not prominent or offensive in the least. I did have enough lather for a three-pass shave and then some by the time I was done. If the Derby stick is the same product I don't see how it can be used in that form needing that much water to get a good lather (which is a problem because this soap is too hard to smoosh into a mug). I plan to use the puck a couple of times and then make another post in this thread. As it stands now I would probably buy another puck when the time comes but would not purchase Derby soap in stick form.

One other note: Derby puck soap does not seem to have parabens in it. Here is the ingredients list: Potassium Tallowate, Potassium Cocoate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Aqua (water), Disodium distrylbiphenly disulfunate, CI 77891 (a coloring agent), Paraffinum liquidium, Parfum (scent), Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Glycerine. For those sensitive to parabens this may be a cheap option (I paid $3.59 for a 140g puck plus shipping from Turkey, you wouldn't buy it alone but with a few other items the shipping isn't that onerous). Fortunately I haven't had a reaction to parabens but others have. This puck also comes with five Derby blades enclosed, most people pan them but the razor edge could be cut off and the rest used as a spacer to make a three-piece razor more aggressive.

 

[auk1124]

This puck also comes with five Derby blades enclosed, most people pan them but the razor edge could be cut off and the rest used as a spacer to make a three-piece razor more aggressive.

Not to hijack your thread but I suspect there are plenty of people out there who are using Derbys with no trouble at all. In fact when I first started here in 2009 Derbys were considered one of THE standard blades that newbies should definitely try. They aren't my favorite blade but I do use them on occasion and I can't be the only one. I'd certainly use them before I cut them up.

 

[Mandina]

Derby blades work fine for me, too, even as I now mainly use Gillette Yellows, Perma-sharp Supers, and Feathers. I look forward to trying the Derby soap.

 

[mharris127]

Not to hijack your thread but I suspect there are plenty of people out there who are using Derbys with no trouble at all. In fact when I first started here in 2009 Derbys were considered one of THE standard blades that newbies should definitely try. They aren't my favorite blade but I do use them on occasion and I can't be the only one. I'd certainly use them before I cut them up.

I was commenting on the general consensus as I saw it. Remember, I said most people not everyone. I agree that a noob should not use the sharpest blade out there for his first DE shave. I would recommend Personnas or Astras for a first blade but to each his own. I started on the old Schick Platinum blades myself but those aren't made anymore.

Speaking of, I need to shave pretty quick. I think I will use that Derby soap puck today.

Edit: Used Derby puck soap with Astra green blades and a Gillette Red-Tip. Smooth shave, required quite a bit more water than I would usually use on a shave soap (even more than Tabac which I find to be thirsty) but produced at least twice the lather my normal technique produces with any other shave soap. Slick, protective and luxurious. As it stands now I would certainly recommend this very economical shave soap to anyone. I do question how it would perform as a stick, though (if that is the same formulation). I suspect stick buyers would have to mill this soap into a mug before being able to enjoy shaving with it.