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Cow

General info

1 2
  • Can be used as soap for bathing or washing
  • Difficulty: Easy to Medium

What you will need

supplies
  • Soap (large soap (about 130g/5 oz) is recommended)
  • Carving or Exacto knife
  • Paring knife
  • Toothpick
  • Cow Template (download here )

Optional

  • Plastic eyes
  • Soap colorant or food coloring
  • Water
  • Paint brush

Soap info

COW bath size soap (red box)

Used in tutorial

COW bath soap
  • Available
  • COW brand
  • Floral scented
  • Size: 8.5 cm (3-3/8") x 6 cm (2-3/8") x 3 cm (1-1/8")
  • Weight: 125 g (4.41 oz)

Rice bran soap (old type)

rice bran soap
  • Not available
  • Floral scented
  • Size: 7 cm (2-1/4") x 3.8 cm (2-1/4") x 2.8 cm (1-1/8")
  • Weight: 45 g (1.59 oz)

Instruction video

Instructions

Carve a cow

1.1 Thinly cut off the top and bottom of the soap to create a flat surface.
step 1.1
1.2 Cut the right template and trace the cow shape onto the soap with a toothpick.
step 1.2
1.3 Lightly cut the outline with a craft or carving knife. Then roughly cut out the cow shape with a paring knife. Repeat this and previous step on the reverse side.
step 1.3
1.4 Cut out the cow shape along the outline with a craft knife. Holding your knife at a right angle, cut the horn and the ear shown in the pink outlines. Then slanting your knife, cut the soap around the ear and the horn.
step 1.4
1.5 Trim the edge of the horn.
step 1.5
1.6 Repeat two previous steps on the reverse side.
step 1.6
1.7 Cut out the soap between the horns. Then, trim and shape the horns.
step 1.7
1.8 Trim and shape the muzzle.
step 1.8
1.9 Trim the edges of the back.
step 1.9
1.10 Cut the shape of the tail shown highlighted with the pink outline, then cut off the soap around the tail and trim the edge of the tail.
step 1.10
1.11 Cut off the soap between forelegs and hind legs bit by bit. Then cut off the soap between right legs and left legs. Trim the edges of the legs.
step 1.11
1.12 Thinly cut off the soap shown in pink lines. Repeat on other side.
step 1.12
1.13 Carve the nose.
step 1.13
1.14 Using the toothpick, make small holes to the face, then attach the plastic eyes. Cut the mouth shown in the pink outline.
step 1.14
1.15 Instead of using plastic eyes, you can carve the eyes.
step 1.15

(Optional) Paint your soap cow

2.1 Paint the cow soap with food coloring or soap colorant. I painted black cow spots.
⚠️ Note: Dark black colorant may not dry completely.
step 2.1
2.2 Done!
step 2.2

Did you know?

new year cow
2021 is the Year of the Ox/Cow according to Japanese zodiac. I made them as new year decorations!