Mad Scientist!

[Fnord5]

OK, after my success with the VDH classic and Lilac Vegital experiment: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=82514&highlight=lilac

I have a new experiment.

VDH Delux
Liquid Lanolin
Lavender and Tea Tree Oil.

Melting the puck, and adding the oils, and I hope I get something worthwhile.

If not, I am out a few bucks, and know not to do it again.

I am documenting this for posterity as well.

I added about a tablespoon of lanolin, maybe 1.5.
about 30-50 drops of the Lavender/Tea tree oil.
mixed with a bamboo skewer, when I let it rest, if any droplets of oil floated up, I mixed some more, until it was fully incorporated.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Remember when Deluxe had lanolin from the factory? I wish I had picked up a couple of those pucks before they changed the formula. That was my first shave soap. Loved the stuff. I switched over to the glycerin before moving onto other brands and thought it was better...but I never did an A/B comparision. I still have a puck of Select that I have never used.

I think the Tea Tree Oil idea is great. Great scent, love the cooling effect.

 

[Fnord5]

Nope, I have only been using soaps and brushes for about a year.

Update: as it was cooling, it appeared that some of the oils came to the surface, leaving a foamy looking skin.

Still liquid underneath, so I whipped it back in, didn't fully incorporate, but it's better than just on the top.

 

[MrGuy]

I seem to remember another experiment someone did with lanolin. If I remember correctly, it kind of killed the lather. Let us know how your experiment works out. And don't forget the evil Mr. Burns style laugh!

 

[Fnord5]

I seem to remember another experiment someone did with lanolin. If I remember correctly, it kind of killed the lather. Let us know how your experiment works out. And don't forget the evil Mr. Burns style laugh!

That was me

 

[MrGuy]

After I posted that, I wondered if it was you! Well, better luck this time.

 

[Fnord5]

I am going to call this one, a total success.

While I did not use it for my shave today I did make a practice lather.
Thick, slippery creamy lather, that smelled just like, or maybe stronger than, T&H Lavender cream.

Not mixed quite enough yet.

Look at that!

 

[Fnord5]

The lather that was on the sides of the bowl from testing yesterday, has not really dried out.
It has hardened a bit, but is soft and rubbery, but not dry and flakey in the least(like T&H gets)
I can't wait for tomorrow to give it a proper test.

 

[OldSaw]

Look at that!

Looks like your pockets puked all over your fancy computer table.







.

 

[Fnord5]

Looks like your pockets puked all over your fancy computer table.







.

Lol, Yeah, they do that all the time.

 

[SavantStrike]

What are you using to melt the VDH?

Might it be possible for us lazy people to use a microwave?

 

[Luc]

Interesting experiment. I did something similar with 2 glycerin soap and a tallow... The result bypassed the weakness of the soaps and only kept the strenghts!

 

[OldSaw]

Outside of the fun in experimenting, I don't see much value this sort of thing. There are so many great triple milled soaps available that work great all by themselves. I think I'll stick with them.

 

[Fnord5]

What are you using to melt the VDH?

Might it be possible for us lazy people to use a microwave?

Just a pan, and a heat safe bowl in water. keeps it from burning, and i can keep it liquid long enough to blend the additives in.

 

[SavantStrike]

Just a pan, and a heat safe bowl in water. keeps it from burning, and i can keep it liquid long enough to blend the additives in.

What kind of temperature is required to get it to melt? I'm actually considering a candle warmer now. Don't ask why I have a candle warmer .

 

[Topgumby]

Could you do this with William's? I get good lather from the stuff, but the scent does nothing for me. I've recently aquired a bunch of P&G Old Spice cologne on closeout that might smell nice in a soap.

 

[VR6ofpain]

I have melted VDH Glycerin soap in the microwave several times with no issues. It actually takes a while to become solid again, so you could probably still mix in additives.

I had no problem also melting some Col. Conk Lime soap in the microwave as well.

 

[5t8t2u]

Fnord5- Tell me about lanolin-
Where do you buy it?
How much does it cost?
What does it do to improve the lather/the subsequent shave?

 

[Fnord5]

I got it for free at work (Whole Foods)

I used it today, I think my straight needs a touchup hone, or my face was especially bumpy today, had a few weepers.

Overall, it added density to the lather, a nice cushion for the blade, and made it very slick.

A few hours after, and my face still feels super smooth and soft.
Lanolin adds moisturizing.