The soap is then framed and allowed to set after which it is cut, allowed to dry slightly and then pressed. To obtain a polished cake transparent soaps are often planed before pressing and after pressing polished with a soft cloth, dampened with alcohol. Instead of framing this soap, it is sometimes "tubed," that is to say, the soap from the crutcher is run into specially constructed tubes of a shape near that of the desired cake and allowed to cool, after which it is cut and pressed. All scraps are returned to the crutcher, but in so doing the soap is slightly darkened in color. It is advisable to expose a finished cake of transparent soap to the air for some time as by so doing it becomes clearer.
Other formulae for cold made transparent soaps made as just outlined follow:
I. Bleached Tallow 134 lbs. Cochin Cocoanut Oil 88 " Castor Oil 20 " W. W. Rosin 7 " Cane Sugar 64 " Water 32 " Glycerine 34 " Soda Lye, 38 degs. B. 135 " Alcohol 16 gal.
II. Tallow 211 lbs. Cochin Cocoanut Oil 185 " Castor Oil 97-1/2 " Soda Ash 8-1/2 " Water 106 " Soda Lye, 38 degs. B. 279 " Sugar 216 " Alcohol 137 "
III. Castor Oil 60 lbs. Cochin Cocoanut Oil 195 " Tallow 120 " Alcohol 115 " Sugar 90 " Water 53 " Glycerine 53 " Soda Lye, 38 degs. B. 205-1/2 "
IV. Tallow 100 lbs. Cochin Cocoanut Oil 100 " Castor Oil 60 " Glycerine 20 " Rosin, W. W. 20 " Sugar 40 " Water 50 " Soda Lye, 36 degs. B. 164 " Alcohol 8 gal.
V. Tallow 174 lbs. Cocoanut Oil 114 " Soda Lye, 38 degs. B. 170 " Sugar 80 " Water 72 " Alcohol 16 gal.
Rosin may be added in this formula up to 20 per cent. of fats used and the tallow cut down correspondingly.
The requirements of a shaving soap are somewhat different than those of other soaps. To be a good shaving soap the lather produced therefrom must be heavy, creamy, but not gummy, and remain moist when formed on the face. The soap itself should be of a soft consistency so as to readily adhere to the face when used in stick form. It should furthermore be neutral or nearly so to prevent the alkali from smarting during shaving.
Shaving soap is made in the form of a stick, and a tablet for use in the shaving mug. Some shavers prefer to have the soap as a powder or cream, which are claimed to be more convenient methods of shaving. While a liquid shaving soap is not as well known because it has not yet become popular, some soap for shaving is made in this form.