Getting a harder KOH soap

[TNHughes]

Hello All! I am trying to make a Martin de Candre shaving soap clone. This is an all KOH soap with coconut oil and stearic acid. I've made the Songwind recipe twice now with varying success. The first edition cured out harder than the second. What is doing this? Is it the coconut oil/stearic acid ratio? I've probably asked the wrong questions. Any help would be appreciated.

Todd

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

No, you've asked good questions!

Certainly the ratio will have an impact on how hard it is. The amount of water used and how long it is cooked for can also have at least the appearance of an impact, especially at first. But the cure will also do a lot for the soap.

I suppose a different tack is to look at why you want one version over the other?

 

[TNHughes]

I am trying to reproduce the Martin de Candre recipe. Simple and effective.

 

[Zany_in_CO]

DIY Martin de Candre Italian soft shave soap recipe