DIY shaving sticks

I've had great luck with making my own shaving sticks, and I was wondering how many others here do the same. You can use one of these translucent twist-ups (online shaving vendors have them), or you can reuse an empty deodorant push-up cylinder (recycling at its finest!).

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The easiest way is to start with a malleable soap (Stirling, Cella, Mystic Waters as examples) and just pack the soap into the empty cylinder. Depending on the type of container you have, the packing density may have to be adjusted -- some of the twist-ups won't advance the soap if packed too tightly. A stick of Arko, or similar, can simply be impaled on the central spike of some twist-ups.

Anybody else have a method they like?

I have been doing this with my favourite soap for more than two years now. I buy the pucks and transfer them into these same shave-stick containers. It is the best way to face-lather.

I make my own shave sticks as well.  In the past I have used them primarily with Mystic Water but today I made a couple for my new Fine shave soaps.

I usually buy the pucks of Mystic Water* and squish them into the clear round twist-up containers.  I find it easier to use(face-lather) in this form for me.

I also have a stick of Arko squished into a repurposed deodorant container.  This is a wider container, so I have more surface area of soap when applying to my face.  Yes, this container has been washed out real well.


*Hi, celestino!

I make my own shave sticks as well.  In the past I have used them primarily with Mystic Water but today I made a couple for my new Fine shave soaps.

I like this, clint64! These soaps had to be shredded first, though, before they went in the tubes?

I like this, clint64! These soaps had to be shredded first, though, before they went in the tubes?

No I didn't shred or grate them. I put the pucks in an empty soap container and added a little water. Let the puck soak for 10 minutes or so.I twisted the bottom of the tub to raise the plunger to the top. Then I cut a small piece of soap off and pressed it the container. I kept the process up and lowered the plunger as I went. These tubes hold about 2.5 oz so I have around 1 oz of soap left to add at a later date.

Many drug stores sell tiny deodorants for the use of travelers. Refill one with a sample of soap, and you'll have a perfect little shave stick for a few days away from home. They're airport friendly and can be reused many times.

I have gotten back into shave sticks again this fall. My favorites are Mike's bars, Haslinger & Mystic. Great for weekday morning shaves when time can be tight.

I've realized with Mike's I actually prefer the prep a bit more from the stick over his tins. Allows one to get enough soap for a great face lather. Mike stopped making his own sticks a while back but there easily made. Sticks don't present as well compared to fancy labeled jars but they work so well!
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Thread resurrection. Converted a Vintage Williams puck to a stick for a Vintage Williams Stick container. Yes, I grated it for ease of forming it to the needed size which is smaller than the standard tubes.

I had gotten my first sample of Tabac as part of a PIF.
When I later bought a whole tub of it, I put the sample in a glue stick tube, then printed out a label and taped that on.


I had bought the jumbo glue stick brand-new at a dollar store. I think I put the glue in a zip-lock bag or something. Maybe I just threw it away. All the stick glues I've seen are water-soluble, so they're easy to wash out.
It works out much cheaper than buying an empty tube and paying for shipping. 
One feature to look out for is a glue stick with an original sticker-type label that can be peeled off. Sometimes they are printed right on the tube.