Williams Shave Soap......

[Docd]

I think it smells similar to the regular ivory soap, but maybe a little stronger. I use it occasionally, when I first read this thread it made me commit to buying the pewter bicentennial mug...$16 shipped. I think the two will go great together, and my LE bristle 1 will be the icing on the cake.

And BTW the MWF comparison is true I think. I only use Williams and MWF now, those are the two I've settled on.

[Backswampcub]

I tried this soap tonight for the first time. I was excited to find it at a small mom and pop drug store near me. I let it soak for an hour and then went to whipping with a cheap bore brush. I was rewarded with a nice thick lather and a comfortable shave. Say what you will about this stuff but it works and the price is great.

[noelekal]

I was thinking Williams was ok, with enough work but then my son schooled me in its use. Run enough hot water into the mug to well cover it. Put the brush in with it if you like. Just let it sit for a moment or two. No swishing the brush around. Pour off the water and then work your lather. Speedy and hassle-free shaving for all.

[dreadpirate]

Williams works well for me; there are better scents out there, but I have a puck in use.

[Seraphim]

I do miss bashing it.

[Topgumby]

I do miss bashing it.

"Who knows but again the old flags, ragged and torn, snapping in the wind, may face each other and flutter, pursuing and pursued, while the cries of victory fill a summer day? And after the battle, then the slain and wounded will arise, and all will meet together under the two flags, all sound and well, and there will be talking and laughter and cheers, and all will say, Did it not seem real? Was it not as in the old days?" -Sgt Barry Benson, writing about the Civil War in 1880.

Ah, Seraphim! Just as the original owners of my vintage razors have almost all assuredly returned to the dust from whence they came, our turn in the sun will end. Perhaps, however, whenever a future wet shaver picks up a puck of Williams, and nobly triumphs or recoils in disgust, we will be there to cheer and deride, at least in spirit.

[OldSaw]

I do miss bashing it.

That is the best thing about Williams.

[Nappyfunk]

CONVERTED...After struggling with William through half a puck...
Covered puck with hot water and brush allowed to soak/soften ...throw off water and start whipping...
A Volcano of Lather!!!...Thanks B&B members...
Maybe Now I can get a decent Uber Lather with it...perhaps with some Speick....real funky

[fine wine]

Williams really isn't that bad. Most people use it when they first start out, so their lack of lathering skills affects their judgment of their soap. If Tabac or MWF were 99 cents, I bet we'd be hearing many reports about how they stink.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I haven't seen a soap yet I can't latter except something called African black soap with shea butter. Got it at Target. Before I started useing straights regular I always just used hand soap at the bathroom sink....JR

[Gingerbread]

I have no problems with Williams - the lather amount, quality, or it drying out. More product, more water!

[Christoph]

Here'a what I do with it...

I put a puck of Williams on top of my Crabtree and Evelyn soap, and on top of that I put another puck of Crabtree and Evelyn, then another Williams, then another Crabtree and Evelyn, and so on and so forth.

Williams on its own does not give a great shave. But mixed with good soaps it extends the good soap.

[Rufust445]

Great shave with Vintage Williams tonight (Cranford, NJ). Use it once or twice a week, alternating with sticks and creams.

[campence]

Tried Williams for the first time last week. I just followed others advice here and let the puck soak in hot water while I showered with my brush in their. Emptied the mug, let the brush drip dry and started whipping. It gave a lather every bit as thick and slick as my VDH Deluxe (the VDH smells a little better) and it was a great shave. For a buck I cannot complain about something that still gives me a better shave than the 6 dollar cans of goop.

[campence]

Had another great shave from Williams tonight and decided to include some pics. I really don't understand why people think this soap won't give a good lather. I used my cheap VDH boar brush with my hard water and still got this lather. I filled my mug up with hot water (with the puck inside) and let my brush sit in there while I showered. Emptied the mug, gave the brush a couple shakes, worked the brush on the soap for about 20 seconds, and whipped it up in the bowl for about a minute. Here are the results.

[campence]

[Christoph]

Williams can work but its really no where close to good shave soaps. Here's what I do, I mix it with other soaps. NOt that I actually combine the soaps. But I put a Williams puck in my mug, and then put a good soap on top, such as C&E. Then after time passes I work down towards the Williams and it is somewhat mixed with the better soap

[OldSaw]

For no apparent reason, I played with it again last night. Nothing changed. I let it soak in some hot water, then whipped up a big cloudy pile of lather, which was rather unstable as usual. Even though it was a rather nice looking lather it just didn't hold up very well. It was rather slick and the shave was OK. My curiosity has been satisfied for another 6-12 months.

[guYom]

I like WIlliams Mug... by itself, or with a tiny bit of a cream such KMF Lime or The Real Shaving Co. shave2 cream.
It works for me. I have a puck I use as stick (just rub it in my stubbles) and a couple pucks I grated into a small Pyrex dish.