Switching from scooping to tub loading

[The Blackadder]

Hi there! As I’ve posted many times, I’m a firm believer in scooping soaps from tubs and not loading directly from the puck. I think it’s more precise, tidy and I really don’t like introducing water into the tub. However, just for the sake of it, today I took my synthetic brush dry (no water at all) and started swirling directly in my TOBS cream, then took it to my bowl and created a great lather. Had quite a nice shave (the best in several days) and I think loading directly from the tub had a lot to do with it. Something in the lather was different, probably the distribution in the brush, I don’t know. And it also seemed more fun. Now, my question is:
Should I do something special with my soaps if I switch to tub loading in order to keep them in good shape? Anyone else notices a difference in lather quality when loading from the puck/tub?

 

[Coler]

I'm a tub loader except for soft creams, which I scoop an almond size piece out from and put it in my scuttle. I feel with soft cream dipping the brush will pick up too much cream.

No downside to tub loading. It's a necessity if travelling without a scuttle.

 

[blethenstrom]

All I would recommend is to leave the tub open until the soap is dry. Otherwise it is smooth sailings.

 

[Chef455]

All I would recommend is to leave the tub open until the soap is dry. Otherwise it is smooth sailings.

This. I leave the lid off or askew until the next day. Puck loading > scooping for me. YMMV

 

[Mannic]

I only tub load the soaps that i really keep in my collection, soaps that iget new and think they are not keepers i scoop.

The soaps i tub load, i rinse the lather residu off and let them dry upside down for at least 24 till 48 hours and then put them back in the drawer.

But i like your method of tub loading TOBS cream whit a dry brush. Will give that a try soon. Thanks

 

[NorthernSoul]

You can use a separate container, scoop a few weeks worth of soap into it, then tub load from the separate container while the main soap supply stays pristine. I have some clear 90mm jars from Maggard Razors I use for this purpose.

Another idea is to hold the tub slightly upside-down over the brush as you load it. That will help prevent excess water from getting into the soap.

Do let the soap dry out before putting the lid back on. It usually just takes a few hours.

 

[Slock]

I tub load. After my shave I put the tub on its side in the cap. That way any standing water will drain out. I put it away in a day or two.

 

[cranewarrior]

Clear rusting of the tin in this video. I am sure you can mitigate much of it with proper care, but I don't tub load myself after seeing this. I live in a very humid part of the country.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Clear rusting of the tin in this video. I am sure you can mitigate much of it with proper care, but I don't tub load myself after seeing this. I live in a very humid part of the country.

It's usually possible to take hard soap out of the container and lather it in hand. Then, put the soap back in the container later for storage. I like to do this anyway so the soap doesn't get welded to the container.

Aluminum doesn't rust. Plastic doesn't rust. That makes these good materials for a soap container.

Steel rusts if not painted or plated. So, just be careful with it. That's all.

 

[silverlifter]

I tub load and face lather. I'm also a horrible person because I put the lid on straight after loading (with a damp brush--squeezed and shaken, though).

What can I say, I want to see the world burn!

 

[NorthernSoul]

...I put the lid on straight after loading (with a damp brush--squeezed and shaken, though)....

How despicable!

 

[Garry357]

I scoop soft creams; I tub load from a hard soap.

 

[Raktajino]

This is an ongoing debate with myself and I think about that issue more than I'd like to admit Both methods work, but both have disadvantages. Currently I tend to scoop and bowl lather, because I think this is the best way to protect the bristles of the brush. Some of the older brushes I have, which I have used for face/head lathering have started to form a little hole in the middle.

 

[Hawkweber]

Clear rusting of the tin in this video.

Aluminum doesn't "rust" - rust is a form of oxidization, or corrosion, that occurs exclusively in iron and its alloys. However, aluminum will oxidize and corrode. The oxidation layer in aluminum presents as gray or powdery white. The effects of aluminum corrosion are visible when the oxidized layer is compromised. These visible effects may range from discoloration to visibly absent chunks of metal. Exposure to liquids or humid atmospheres that are particularly higher in acidity or alkalinity (such as soaps) can remove this oxidation layer and permit corrosion to take place. Also, certain chemicals, dyes, and scent/essential oils (vanilla is notorious for this) can discolor the oxidation and corrosion layers turning it brownish which makes it look like rust.

 

[cranewarrior]

Aluminum doesn't "rust" - rust is a form of oxidization, or corrosion, that occurs exclusively in iron and its alloys. However, aluminum will oxidize and corrode. The oxidation layer in aluminum presents as gray or powdery white. The effects of aluminum corrosion are visible when the oxidized layer is compromised. These visible effects may range from discoloration to visibly absent chunks of metal. Exposure to liquids or humid atmospheres that are particularly higher in acidity or alkalinity (such as soaps) can remove this oxidation layer and permit corrosion to take place. Also, certain chemicals, dyes, and scent/essential oils (vanilla is notorious for this) can discolor the oxidation and corrosion layers turning it brownish which makes it look like rust.

That's interesting. So you think the tin in the video is made of aluminum? I'm assuming aluminum corrosion is still undesirable in one's shaving soap aside from the unsightly looks?

 

[Hawkweber]

That's interesting. So you think the tin in the video is made of aluminum? I'm assuming aluminum corrosion is still undesirable in one's shaving soap aside from the unsightly looks?

Those types of tins/containers are supposed to be made of aluminum. Can't vouch for unscrupulous manufacturers who might try to save pennies by introducing other metal into it or using a completely different type of metal altogether.

However, you are correct in that one would not want aluminum corrosion particles in one's shaving soap.

 

[Lane101]

I will occasionally tub load with a wet brush as a means of re-hydrating a shaving cream that has started to dry out. Otherwise I scoop.

 

[WhiskerLess]

Except for cream.

I tub load, even bloom water on it. Then flip it over to drain and dry till the next morning.


Life is short, enjoy as many soap as you can.

 

[Jonn]

Use to scoop, now I swirl

 

[mikhou]

Tub loading for me, and my current soaps have lasted a LONG time. I've been scooping with some samples received from another B&Ber. I still prefer tub loading. With creams, it's a small-almond sized dollop either in the bowl or on the brush itself.