Formulating shaving soap

[PippiL]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum.
If there is a number on this forum you can direct me to I would like to read up on it, or my questions are.....
If I use oils and butter high on SA, do I still have to add additional SA?
I guess the proportion of potassium and sodium hydroxide are 60/40...would these number give me a bar of soap or would it be more creamy?
Thank you so much,

 

[Mick]

Welcome to B&B

Can't help you out on the soap formulations... sorry

If you have not already done so, stop into the Hall of Fame and tell everyone a little about yourself

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/30-Hall-of-Fame

 

[Shave_Rat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIsvsXFmElM

I bumped into that the other day. I don't make soaps, but it should give you a good place to start since you are already familiar with the chemistry involved.

Keep us updated on how it progresses.

 

[Songwind]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum.
If there is a number on this forum you can direct me to I would like to read up on it, or my questions are.....
If I use oils and butter high on SA, do I still have to add additional SA?
I guess the proportion of potassium and sodium hydroxide are 60/40...would these number give me a bar of soap or would it be more creamy?
Thank you so much,

I'm experimenting with these questions right now. There are no oils or butters that have enough stearic acid to get the % of stearic acid above 50, I think. I have been told (without real justification) that you "need" a stearic % of 60 for a good shave soap. The last soap I made is focused on getting the percentage of creamy-lathering acids high enough without specifically going for stearic. So, it has mostly palm, some coconut for volume, and 10% added stearic.

Where did you get the 60/40 proportions on your KOH and NaOH? That's another thing I haven't been able to find anything on. So far I've done one all-KOH soap (came out great) and one all-NaOH soap (still curing). I think the proportions you would want to use will vary based on your desired final product.