Just finished TOBS stick

[Cynomys]

In part, I'm posting to celebrate another product finish (along with AOS, Castle Forbes, and VdH). Sorry I can't tell you how many shaves I got from the stick. About half the time I face lathered, the rest of the time, I cut off a bit off and bowl lathered. I have Tabac, D.R. Harris, and Speick sticks available for my next stick. I think I'll go with the Speick, but recommendations are welcome.

The TOBS was great, but I think I would just go with a TOBS puck in the future. I know of a brick-and-mortar place here in Seattle where I can purchase it.

Finally, I'm wondering what to do with the used TOBS container. Could it be re-used for something? Perhaps melt a soap, or use a cream straight, and re-fill it?

 

[mblakele]

You should be able to refill it. A stick like Arko or Valobra might fit as-is: check http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Shave_stick#Dimensions (we could use the dimensions of the TOBS stick for that page, too).

If you start with a puck, you can use either of the methods from http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/305155-How-to-make-a-soap-stick or the method from http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/How_to_mill_any_soap_into_a_container

 

[Cynomys]

The diameter of the tube which the TOBS soap stick comes in is 40 mm. I'm not sure what the length refers to, whether the overall dimensions of the container or just that part on the inside which contains the soap. The overall height is 103 mm (outside height of the entire container).

 

[mblakele]

Thanks. The dimensions on that wiki page are supposed to be outside diamater of the soap stick itself, and full length of a new stick. But approximations are better than nothing. Given that the TOBS soap is a bit wider than Arko (33x90), and has the same nominal weight, my guess is that the starting length was a little under 90-mm. Maybe around 75-mm?

Anyway if I were going to try a store-bought stick in that container, I would try Arko. If the holder is too loose, Arko is soft enough to smash down easily. Valobra might work too, but it is a harder soap. That might be inconvenient if it ends up rattling around inside the holder.

 

[Cynomys]

Okay, now that I know what the dimensions refer to; the diameter is 40 mm (inside diameter of the tube or diameter of the shave stick itself. The length of the shave stick, on the other hand, is considerably less than the overall height of the tube. It is about 60-65 mm. The top cap extends about 15 mm above the soap and there is a rather deep bottom portion on top of which the soap stick actually rests.