Shaving pastes are made, as a rule, from fine soft soaps composed of potash and lard. To make creme d'amande, dissolve lib. of caustic potash in 1 pt. of water. Melt down in a pau 3 lb. of lard and add to it gradually the potash lye, stirring thoroughly during the addition. Boil and stir well for some time, and continue adding the lye until the mass becomes pasty, and a small portion taken from the pan works smoothly and free from greasiness when it is dipped in water and worked between the fingers. The addition of the lye may then be stopped. Beat the soap in a mortar and with the pestle till it is cold, when it will have a satiny appearance. Add sufficient essence of almonds during the beating.

This is a method of making a good shaving paste. Dissolve Alb. of caustic potash in 2 pt. of water, and now melt 2 lb. of tallow and 1/2 lb. of cocoanut oil in a large pan, add the caustic potash solution gradually, and Doil together. Continue boiling and stirring until a uniform paste is formed which, when rubbed between the finger and thumb with a little water, feels soapy and free from grease. Allow to cool, and determine whether the soap is thin enough for the tubes; if it is, heat the soap and fill hot; if it is not sufficiently thin, add water and boil again. Add any desired scent previous to filling. An easy way of making shaving paste is to cut any good soap into shavings and boil with about four to six times its weight of water till dissolved.