Hard Soaps Lather Better After Milling?

[pelotonjon]

I've noticed that after milling soaps to fit in Ikea containers, I think I'm getting better lathers. I've done it to a few sticks before. Today, I milled eShave and it performed outstanding. Easy to make super rich, hydrated lather.

Does anyone else notice that milling a soap makes it better?

 

[talibeard]

After milling the contact-surface is a lot larger for your brush and water. That is why it is lathering faster. If the lather is also better you didn't do it right with the ungrated pucks; you should take a little more time.

 

[justinp]

My guess is that the milling a) increased the exposed surface area of the soap b/c instead of a smooth plane it's now lumpy, and b) effectively softened the soap. Nothing changed about the soap, it's just that your brush is picking up more of it in the same amount of time. You'd probably get the same results by spending a bit more time on a non-grated puck.

 

[PhatMan]

pelotonjon,

I have noticed this too; the most improvement I have seen was with Mitchells Wool Fat - after milling it was so much eaiser to load the brush

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

 

[Drubbing]

I think milling breaks down the inherent hardness of some soaps. I couldn't get enough lather from T&H luxury til I milled it. No matter how much I loaded, I'd get 1 decent pass worth. It simply wouldn't get onto the brush.

Different story after milling. Got plenty of lather. Then I found out it was a MOR soap.

 

[Gymea]

I've noticed a difference as well -- I agree with all of the above points as to the reason, and will add that I believe that it's because of the roughening of the soap, with the rougher/bumpy surface offering more friction against the brush (likewise, there IS a difference between using a stiffer brush versus a floppier brush on a soap), and also that the slight bumps of the milled soap retains moisture differently than the soft surface of the soap. The rougher surface may also wick away more water off the brush than the smoother surface, and so, we get the same characteristics as posted in the "how to lather soap" threads (ie, dryer brush, wetter soap, etc). Just a thought. *shruggin*

Cheers,
Jimmy.

 

[Gymea]

Different story after milling. Got plenty of lather. Then I found out it was a MOR soap.

Okay, for the life of me, I can't figure out what you mean by "MOR". What means "MOR", Drubbing?

Cheers,
Jimmy.

 

[pelotonjon]

"MOR"= Middle of the Road

 

[Gymea]

"MOR"= Middle of the Road

Ah, thank you. Well, I suppose "Truefitt and Hill Luxury" has a better ring to it than "Truefitt and Kill Middle-of-the-Road".

Cheers,
Jimmy.

 

[steveclarkus]

Mill some Williams; it will blow your mind. You will get a good lather quickly, unfortunately, it won't make it more expensive.

 

[mharris127]

Mill some Williams; it will blow your mind. You will get a good lather quickly, unfortunately, it won't make it more expensive.

Or fortunately. Some of us don't like to spend money we don't have to. I will let my niece and nephews spend it after I die instead.

 

[sanfranciscian]

Mill some Williams; it will blow your mind. You will get a good lather quickly, unfortunately, it won't make it more expensive.

I never thought about the milling thing but i did buy a couple of cakes of williams to become informed about the debate and milled them down into a pyrex bowl. while the soap may have its faults lathering is not one of them. you may be on to something.

Ian

 

[azmark]

Also other than a larger surface to create lather, some soaps when new seem to have a break-in top layer that after a few uses it seems to break down. So milling would break that top layer apart. Not sure if it is from the milling process but as most things the more you use it the better it gets.

 

[SliceOfLife]

Milled soap = easier to load = more product on your brush = "I used more product and it worked" title