Bought the col conk soap that comes with the travel tub in lime flavor. My concern is that there are small bubbles at the top and that it looks like there is a depression the size of your thumb and looks like someone pressed into the soap with their fingers. The surface is not flat as i would expect it to be. The soap is hard so this is difficult to do so either someone pressed hard into it, or microwaved it then pressed, or it just comes like this from the factory, Basically I am just wary of using someones old soap as people regularly cut and bleed during shaving, although I am aware that some people PIF and share soaps. However the place that I bought it has superior customer service as usual and refunded my money and i told the lady that i will shop there more which i will. So i am hoping the soap is new and usable. If not i can take out the soap and use the travel tub which is why i bought it.
Is my Soap Used?
- Thread starter DaisyDunk911
- Start date
Pics??
I would not concern yourself with the bubbles, but a possible fingerprint?? I think if it were microwaved, the soap would not hold its original form. I microwave short pour soaps often to make samples, once in the microwave it starts melting in a hurry, usually within a few seconds, from the bottom, then the sides. If it does not look right, it probably isn't.
I kind of doubt it's been used. Aren't Colonel Conk soaps poured directly into the plastic clamshell packaging with a tape seal across the opening? I've had some Colonel Conk and VdH soaps with a few bubbles at the top. I imagine they are air bubbles that stuck to the sides of the mold during the casting process that floated to the top before the soap hardens. It happens. That's why some casting processes involve vacuums and agitation to release the bubbles.
The thumb print, if that is what you had, is a stumper. I would imagine that there is some shrinkage as the hot, melt and pour soap cools. As I kid I would see this with home made candles. Could that be what you were seeing?
The thumb print, if that is what you had, is a stumper. I would imagine that there is some shrinkage as the hot, melt and pour soap cools. As I kid I would see this with home made candles. Could that be what you were seeing?
Last edited:
That would be the normal Conk packaging, but he bought the Conk that comes in the white travel container. I have no idea if those are sealed at all.
I remember reading somewhere that if you're doing your own melt and pour soap at home, to spritz the melted soap with alcohol to reduce bubbles. I assume that when Conk pours their soap, they don't bother with this step.
I've used Conk and Van Der Hagen and they've all come with small bubbles on the surface.
I've used Conk and Van Der Hagen and they've all come with small bubbles on the surface.
- Thread starter
- #7
The small bubble are not too much of a concern, as they are i think part of the making process. What im more concern is it not just looks like a thumb print but someone pressing down very hard (as the soap is hard) so that there is a depression made at least half the depth of my thumb. Or that someone has used the soap several times to where the surface is not flat and there is wear from usage hence the depression. Basically it looks used. Yes it is the travel tub and no there was not any kind of plastic film or covering and just twist open and there is the soap. I do not want to make too big of a deal out of it but i want to use it but i do not want a used product as someone could have bled into it while shaving. And yes I brush on lather several times during shaving possibly picking up blood and that is why i am adamant about not sharing my shave products with anyone including family.
First, I wouldn't stress - soap is by it's nature a medium that kills nasties. Worst case, rinse the surface a bit and you'll be perfectly fine.
Secondly, that divot- could it be caused by something resting on the box or package in transit? I would imagine that if a brush had been rubbed all over the puck, the surface would look different than a fresh-from-the-factory puck.
Secondly, that divot- could it be caused by something resting on the box or package in transit? I would imagine that if a brush had been rubbed all over the puck, the surface would look different than a fresh-from-the-factory puck.
I have edt bottles full of perfumers alcohol all over the shop for this purpose. I bet you are correct thinking such a large company does not do this, with mass production it is probably not necessary since the bubbles go away the longer you wait to pour.
- Thread starter
- #10
The soap is in the travel tub with hard cover that twists open so i dont think anything was laid on it. Maybe I will take pics and post. Dont want to sound too picky but i guess this is just for fun of the hobby.
Pictures would help a lot. I would assume that if it were truly used there would be a concavity across the surface and maybe some brush marks, but the cooling of the product after it is poured could also contribute to a concave surface or even a sizeable divot in the middle of the puck.
