Utilizing Resources Tallow Making Lye Soap

[stratocaster1986able]

This is like Tyler Durden in the woods.

[juliansoeiro]

if im lake camping, can i use lye soap in the lake, or is it a pollutant?

[Cayoot]

Once again, you made an awsome video Dave, thanks much! Please keep up the great work!

[zane000000000]

do you have to add water to the tallow before you heat it up

[mejsrd]

Mogges~ if Lye Soap makes you itch then you are making it wrong. Mej

[mogges1]

Only thing about lye soap is that stuff will make you ITCH.

[onebadboy2]

Excellent video. Is there a needed percentage for lye to tallow? That is always what has kept me from making soap. I guess I should just research it a bit more. Thanks Dave and Jeremy.

[platefullofbacon]

The chainsaws remind me of the Red Green Show..

[mrouterrim]

If u wanted to cent the soap what would u suggest, just curious

[hawkatro]

I love these videos. The idea of using the whole animal is what hunting is all about. Hunters get a bad rap sometimes because of all these wannabes that shoot animals for fun and leave it to rot.

[mryellow123]

Lot of comments about antiseptic properties or cleaning metal etc.

Something that is not readily understood by many is the purpose of soap itself.

Soap/detergent dissolves grease/oil.

Also some micro-fibre is surprisingly good at lifting grease without detergent.

We've had 50+ years of marketing "educating" us we need their anti-bacterial crap.

Harmful common bacteria needs food and water, a clean dry surface is 99% bacteria free just the same as any product will advertise.

[Kerouac2k1]

What is there a ration of tallow to lye that you should use? Too much lye would make the soap burn your skin wouldn't it?

[BEATSBYDRE4LIFE]

Ment to say better stupid iPad

[BEATSBYDRE4LIFE]

Sorry mention to say better. Below

[BEATSBYDRE4LIFE]

Can you put herbs in it to make it smell berthed then strain it out.

[campcomp00]

why wouldn't you use pine to make lye soap with?

[brentpieczynski]

@campcomp00 That is a good question.

[LVPG2010]

Dave: We had some animals butchered and wanted to give some of this series a try. Though I am appreciate learning a new skill, I am wondering if the reward is worth the effort. I got about 1 cup of tallow from a 5x7x1/2 inch chunk of fat. It took 5 hours to render at low heat. It started on my Coleman stove [until it ran out of fuel] then off to our kitchen stove. What scenario would making these candles, soap, lamps be viable? Did you come to the same conclusion? Again, great thanks.

[drumgodtim]

i was amazed at how much tallow it took to make a small batch of soap. makes me appreciate the convenience of the soap i have in my home...wow!

[contreeman]

i really didn't know it that easy. I learned something today. GOD bless you for what you do. keep up your calling to help people you will be richly rewarded.

[Ilovetheplatypus]

You should make another channel just showing forgotten skills from the day of old like this. Chances are most of us will never have to survive out in the woods, but could put information like this into use.

[Atkrdu]

Hey, how do you put a convex edge on something? Just file it down to slope to an edge? I'd want to do that with a couple of my tools, but don't want to screw up the edge doing it. I don't have much experience working metal, but it seems pretty simple. I don't know if it'll be useable when it finally comes out, though. I've got a Condor Hudson Bay, myself. It seems like it'd perform real well for heavy cutting, but a convex edge might improve things even further.

[rlmarin1968]

Very cool guys...always wondered how to do this. Next will be to give it a try myself. Thanks for posting...love the channel.

[Atkrdu]

What kind of knife is that at 1:33? Just curious. Looks durable & like a good chopper.

[LVPG2010]

@Atkrdu I think it is one sold on his site. Go to the cutting tools section. I believe it is the last one on the page.

[Atkrdu]

@LVPG2010 I think you're right. It looks like the Wood Beast. Thanks.

[Nebulax123]

@Atkrdu It is a Habilis Bushtool you can get it from Dave's site or from Habilis(just google Habilis Bush Tool) I put a convex edge on mine and it is one of the best woods tools I own. The convex really transforms it into a great woods tool.

[TheRedneckViking]

Hey bro, havent been on here in a while, but really glad to see your still making great vids. Its a testament to the kinda person you are, the fame you have gained from tv hasnt stopped you from making great educational vids for ppl as you always have, and especially because you are teaching people the skills that all people once knew, lol. Keep it up bud, later--RNV

[MsSpy]

Does it lather up? That would have been nice to see.

[10yearvet]

@MsSpy I was reading yesterday that by adding Borax to the soap it would cause it to lather. Don't know anything about Borax but I'm trying to find out and what could be used in the wild as a substitute.

[fl260]

Awesome Dave. There's nothing else to say.

[ETHIOLOGIST1]

Looks like about a pound of tallow, (or two?) and 2 cups of ash turned out the equivalent of two standard soap bars. Could tin cans be used for boiling down the lye? I would think it would pit aluminum.

[10yearvet]

@ETHIOLOGIST1 Yes, the lye will fubar aluminum pretty good.

[taeim43]

fantastic video. thank you for sharing and posting..

[Justin5king]

how would you add a sent to it such as pine?

[PureEvil110]

Thanks for another great video. Now I have another project to try whenever I get another deer.

[Modifier54]

Thank you for sharing................

[jokertim777]

This blows away every soap making video I've ever seen for simplicity and everyman materials. I've never made soap because I got the impression in was complex, dangerous, and required special equipment. Thanks for sharing your down and dirty, field expedient soap process, it was a revelation.

Keep up the good work, sir.

[raistlin89108]

Or also add some pine needles for a nice scent.

[markshmily]

Wow... great videos Dave!!

Very cool!

Thanks guys.

[jackclark1981]

what is the best ratio?

[winnipegdiver]

Lye being Caustic, and caustic can burns the skin when heated and wet you really need to know the ratio of how much lye to put in

Just putting this out there for those who may not know and who might want to make this

[SwitchbackOutdoors]

kick ass vid! Thanks so much for what you do.

[trackerscott]

How would one add scents to the soap?  I would like to practice this skill, and make some nice Christmas presents at the same time.

[TheMongo1357]

Great video and info Dave!! Learning something new everyday with your videos! Someday I hope to be able to attend at least one of your classes so I can have a hands-on learning experience? That's how I retain useful info best! Thanks again and God bless!

[DIECASTER]

It was interesting to see how you made the soap,...

but to be honest, I wouldn't be eager to use it. ^_^

[Maddawwg45]

@DIECASTER i think basically all soap is made pretty much the same and i have used lye soap made from bacon drippings before and its works great dont lather up very much is all

[vtpaladin]

Once the soap has cured you could remelt it and add some dried herbs to make it an insect repellent. Rosemary is supposed to be good for repelling mosquitoes and fleas.

[hunt458]

Dave, I saw the comments on tallow and lard in the last vid so I looked up the definitions. Lard is pig fat. Tallow is a harder fat from cattle, sheep or horses. Lard probably would be too soft for soap or candles.

[kumquatsta]

any antiseptic properties in this soap?

[sbjennings99]

Cool video. I saw lye soap being made at Dollywood but just did not know what went into it. Thanks

[panerudepon]

Adding pine needles can make the soap antiseptic. As it is, it will clean, but not disinfect.

[nlandoutfitters]

Nice Video, How strong is the Lye in the soap? Ruff on the eyes and scalp? or super mild?

[jlast000]

Would you give us some measurements in the description or a annotation

[LVPG2010]

Only the truly confident could, so often, admit learning new things, as well as openly fail at attempts in videos. It is a true testament to your strength. Not only have I learned so many techniques, from your channel, but the ability to fail without shame. Thanks for all Dave. Great stuff.

[RebLin51]

Also remember to always add the lye water to the fat. Not vice versa

[Greatbloke]

Great video. Thanks again.

[RebLin51]

Dave I am not a gentleman if you were referring to me. I squat to pee.

[kyletango]

Cool, my dad told me once long ago,that you made lye soap from fat and ashes from oak.

[RebLin51]

Be careful with the lye as it is a alkali and very caustic. First aid is an acid like vinegar. For acids you use a baking soda solution. Chickweed can be expressed and used to soothe your eyes if you get any in your eye. Chickweed juice can also treat hot pepper juice in the eye and a lot of other eye issues in the field.

[Solanum20]

This video was very awesome, it's amazing how creative you can be with just the most basic of ingredients.

-Solanum20

[TheGrayman1234]

How much tallow to how much lye water? Didn't catch any amounts. Looking on line I am seeing various amounts but a guess at the ratio would be about 2 tallow to 1 lye. Does that sound right?

[trevor6744]

Can you use the lye soap to clean metal as well?

[trevor6744]

What about the fat from bacon? is that the same thing? or do you need to boil it in water like you did in the other videos?

[utuubee]

excellent video thank you very much

[IKSDoomie]

Not sure if asked yet but do you know how much lye to add to the soap? Would to much lye cause the soap to be very harsh on the skin?

[petergriffin4100]

can you make a pvc bow

[JohnLock1977]

Oh and Lye EATS aluminum! Iron, Stainless or enamel only!

[JohnLock1977]

Dave, any ash can be used to make lye (sodium hydroxide), even ash from grass and leaves. Also if the ash is fine enough there is no need to strain it out as it will act like the pumice in GOJO (tm).  As someone mentioned before, if the process is carried out without water and using ethanol or methanol the result is biodiesel. The only thing that you should remember is that you are producing soap and glycerin. That was the "water" that you poured out... glycerin lamp oil

Great Video Series!

[Atkrdu]

@JohnLock1977 Hey, man. How do you know all this stuff? That's awesome. I like stuff like that (connected information, I guess would be the name). Ashes & ethanol or methanol is biodiesel, huh? Can that be used in a truck? What's the difference between that and regular diesel? Also I heard you can use tallow to cover wounds (like bacitracian or neosporin) & maybe areas that are getting or partially frostbitten areas (to protect it from further cold & let it recuperate).

[BornRandy62]

@Atkrdu you forgot to include the vegetable oil in the bio diesel recipe. check out journey to forever dot org no spaces for a boat load of info about bio fuels and numerous sustainable agriculture topics. btw the by-product from bio diesel is glycerin (with lye) which is a great lamp oil among other things

[Atkrdu]

@BornRandy62 Thanks. I'm pretty sure I found it. Looks real good. What do you mean "by-product"? Is it left over when you strain it, or what? Could you use it like the tallow lamp?

[BornRandy62]

@Atkrdu during the process of turning fats and oils into a "bio fuel" the fatty portions of vegetable oils and animal fats are stripped away thru chemical action with the methanol and lye. The by product of that process leaves glycerin and water behind. The glycerin will retain a significant lye and methanol content. You can clear the methanol away by open boiling Or you can leave it in solution in a closed bottle for use as a lamp oil. read that web page for more direct specifc info.

[Atkrdu]

@BornRandy62 All right. Thanks.

[vtpaladin]

@JohnLock1977 technically lye made from wood ash is potassium hydroxide, that is the root of the potassium (pot ash). You are correct about the glycerin, that stuff has a lot of good uses by itself.

[purplemutantas]

@JohnLock1977 It's my understanding that lye from ash is potassium hydroxide not sodium hydroxide.

[Exofauna]

Great description!

Good to follow even when English is not your first language.

[kyadak]

Great Video as always... I never knew you could make soap that easy....

[warpath982]

hey dave as always great vids and info. love how you are able to teach both modern and primitive ways of survival.your awesome,keep them coming and teach us more .thanks

[GuyTatt]

Gteat guys. Yy.

[WORRO01]

Hey brother, great video, nice and easy. One suggestion man on that mason jar, looks like you got lucky and it didn't crack, but to help prevent the possibility in the future, place a metal spoon in the jar or something metal like that to absorb the heat....just a suggestion(it works)

Take care and God bless,~~John

Pensacola FL!

[BornRandy62]

thanks for starting with wood ash for the lye. too many candle making videos start with a trip to the grocery or hardware store. filling a big metal tin with wood ash and soaking with water will produce lye without boiling from a bottom drain. You can test with a litmus paper until you are confident of the process. Lye + Vegetable Oil + Methanol = Bio Diesel or quality lamp oils

[dlvmark]

Cool stuff!

[tzadik19]

A carpet of dry leaves in the area adjacent to the fire: could it be a fibe hazard?

[InTheSticks0001]

In our woods we may have to find out if it's possible to make a good lye from larch or birch. Can you recommend a ratio of lye to tallow?

[thehappyinfidel2011]

Thank you Dave. Its amazing what your shows drag up out of my memory.

[jntroisi]

IMO one of your most useful videos to date. Would have liked to have seen the process of skimming the swag from the fat though. Thanks so much guys!

[dcompiler]

Thank you Dave! Been watching you since way before Dual Survival. Awesome and informative as always? How well does the soap lather up? Could you perhaps make a short clip and show us?

Thanks!

[shane0858]

Dave, nicely done video as usual man. Informative but not boring. Here is a tip that I have found works quite well when making lye soap: In a seperate container boil some fresh pine needles, about a large handful or more, the same method of extracting your lye. Twice is sufficient. Then use this water during your final cook down, adds a very nice scent to your soap!!! It does take a bit longer to boil down, but well worth it.

-Shane

[oa457member]

Hi, Dave first off I would like to say you are a true inspriration especially for my scout troop. I have a question. I live in the western part of W.V is there any plants or herbs I could put in the soap to give it a scent of some sort?

[jmg1957]

dave ...thanks for sharing..jimbo

[BushcraftScout]

Very Cool Brother!

[whatyadoingfool]

@wildernessoutfitters - We took a deer this morning and will be using this series of videos to try out some of the techniques. What did you do with the hide? Could you show some ideas on crafting items using the hide?

[MarcosRonald1]

Very good and useful lesson, bro. Thx!

[ApprenticeBushcraft]

this reminds me of the Red Green show with the chainsaws in the background :D If the Women don't find you handsome they should at least find you Handy!

[roundabout136]

Very informative and I enjoy watching these types of videos. Thanks Dave.

[punklife505]

I make almost all the soap used in my home. Only change I would make is to test the strength of the Lye in the finished soap by touching a small amount to your tongue, if it zaps you like a 9volt battery would keep cooking the soap until it doesn't zap you any more. Too strong of Lye soap can burn your skin and eyes. Great video as always Dave :)

[webladyone01]

WoodmanFlorida - The longer you let the soap age, the better it is. I think it would be best to make it a month in advance of when you think you're going to need it.

[webladyone01]

It's funny how I was just asking at Camping Survival how to get lye naturally for making soap! You've answered my questions and provided a wonderful tutorial. Thanks David!

[lazydogdied]

You guys are amazing. If I don't have any tallow or lard, is it possible to use store bought?  (like a can of lard for baking) I would like to try this, but I live in the city and don't have any animal fat handy.

[snappydog357]

@lazydogdied If you have a butcher shop try there. They will always have some. Most of the time they will give it away or sell it pretty cheap. Grocery stores that still have a meat cutter will have tallow as well. Good luck

[lazydogdied]

@snappydog357 That's a great idea, thank you!

[targetbuttmonkey]

Love these how to vids!

[WoodmanFlorida]

Thanks for another great vid Dave. Quick question, Is the lye soap good to go as soon as you make it or does it need to age at all? What is the ratio of tallow to lye or does it even matter?

[tesskansas]

Sorry for such a basic question. You mention wood ash (is that same process of tallow for candles before spooning out the wood ash? or is this basic starting point the wood ash pulled off from the tallow candle video shown earlier? Thanks. I am green at this, but you sure make it look attractive.

[wildernessoutfitters]

@tesskansas You can use wood ash from the last fire in this case I used ash from a previous fire.

[tesskansas]

@wildernessoutfitters So you cook up the ash with water? Then were is the tallow? Sorry I am confused.

[NohbdyThere]

@tesskansas You're cooking down the tallow, and at the same time you're cooking off the ash and water to create lye. Two pots.

[WaKeZnDrAnKz]

@wildernessoutfitters dave i am a huge fan and have been for a very long time i just have 1 question about your classes is there any channce that u have any classes out here near the west coast i am very interested in classes and how that would work? peace n love take care bro

[nativerobin]

I have to admit I really want to try this now! ...thanks Dave

[myq212]

Hey Dave, you could add some citronella in there to make it a multi-use soap couldn't you?

[wildernessoutfitters]

@myq212 Or even Jewelweed if you wanted some poison Ivy soap, yes you can add anything to the soap before it is molded

[myq212]

@wildernessoutfitters Awesome! great to know. Thanks for all the info you share. I know everyone appreciates you continuing to do this, especially since you must be extremely busy these days.

[1acroyear1]

@wildernessoutfitters Poison Ivy soap? Hmmm... I think I know what my mother in law is getting for Christmas.

[mtower235]

Awesome, this is timely. I am going to meet a family who is teaching us how to make lye soap. i am teaching them charcloth.

[BigEasy870]

Very interesting going to have to give it a try when we kill a deer

[Ghillieman2011]

another great instructional! glad to see you incorporating more instructors so that people can get to know thier faces. i am also glad that you show your viewers that you too are still learning, when you explain the difference between tallow and lard. it shows your teaching style and shines you in the best light always dave. great work my friend. see you in june if not sooner!

[tesskansas]

Why hard wood?

[IzzyJG99]

@tesskansas Resins and oils in soft wood, presumably.

[smither109]

i am going to try that

[tesskansas]

Great description. Thanks explaining the Tallow vs. Lard question. I was wondering why I not seen bacon flavor candels out at the candle shop.

[tesskansas]

Got to love the Tractor Supply bucket hanging out in the background.

[cymek11]

Thanks Dave, you're on the roll. Great video

[VuurwerkFan12]

Yeah new vid