Thread: Making tallow soap

Has anyone made their own tallow shave soap? I am thinking of trying it and would love to chat with someone who has already tried it.

Thanks!!

Not yet, but I'm interested as well.

Have about 5 lbs of beef fat to work with as of today. It will be a few weeks before I have everything I need to get started with a test run.

With 5lbs of lard you'll have enough for all your hairs for a good long while.

I'm hoping to get at least 4 lbs of rendered tallow from it. Figured I would try a 2 lb batch first, and have 2 more lbs to work with to refine the recipe.

I haven't found a tallow shave soap recipe yet. I've found plenty of shave soap recipes, and I've found tallow based soap recipes. I am going to have to take a shot in the dark with my own recipe design if I can't find one.

Anyone who comes across a recipe, please post it!

“Fine shaving cream. [1870] Take of clarified lard, 7 pounds (avoirdupois) [weight whereby a pound contains 16 ounces], potash lye (26 per cent. Of caustic potash), 3 ¾ pounds; rectified spirits, 3 ounces; oil of bitter almonds, 2 drachms. Melt the lard in a porcelain vessel, by a salt-water bath; then run in the lye, very slowly, agitating the whole time; when about half the lye is in, the mixture begins to curdle; it will, however, become so firm that it cannot be stirred. It will assume a pearly appearance by triturating in a mortar, and slowly adding the alcohol, holding the oil of almonds in solution. This furnishes a splendid shaving cream.”

Shaving Cream for the 19th Century Gentleman

I'm also interested in making shaving soap for myself. soapmakingforum.com is a great place for advice and information.
There are also calculators to figure the correct amount of lye to oils depending upon type and charts of the properties different oils and fats impart to the soaps as well.

Ya ever watch fight club? Brad got his tallow in an interesting fashion.