+1 on using boars with W
The William's enigma
- Thread starter imfallen_angel
- Start date
what more does one need
Lots of soaps perform better, but for $1.03 at my local grocer, it's really not that bad. Add 3 or 4 drops of glycerin on top of the puck before loading and watch the magic begin.
That looks better than what I produce with other soaps. Then again I'm a noob kinda.
I'm gonna go with the thought that every soap is different and you just have to learn the quirks of each one. There's a reason soaps are popular. Its not always because of price. Even if it is dirt cheap if it doesn't work I don't think it would sell so much that they would stay around.
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- #46
True, and I can admit that I'm far from the collector that some on here are, but so far, only one soap I had was pure garbage that simply could not made into a proper lather, and this was an artisan "clay type" soap.
Everything else I've tried, it's been a question of having the soap in a bowl, have it sit in water for a few, remove the water but leave the soap very wet, have the brush also fairly wet and just work the soap directly in the bowl... it'll probably be a wet/runny lather at first but as more product loads into the brush and mixes with the forming lather, anyone should be able to get to a balance where the lather will have the whole whipped cream texture, and once that's achieved, it should give a perspective of the water and amount of soap(loaded) needed.
Personally I prefer to face lather now, and use the same principle.. wet the face very well with hot water, wait a moment, re-wet it to the point that you have water just about to drip down, with a brush that's soaked for a 30 seconds under running hot water, load the soap for a good 30 seconds minimum, if the soap is hard, then soak the soap in hot water for the same time and you can put the brush in the same bowl. Then work on the face until the soap turns to a slick lather.
I prefer a thin layer of thin (but firm) and wet lather that I paint over my face, working over and under the hairs.
I find a slightly runny lather better than a dryish one...
Noxema cream is an ok cream, but it is terrible in keeping it's wetness, it dries really fast and as you breathe, the soap can be blown off and the bathroom seems like a big snow-globe.
My first soap was the Wilkinson blue tub and it took me over a week to realize that my problem was not enough water and product. After I tripled my loading time, it went from barely anything to decent lather. But after finding Proraso locally and trying it, I tend to barely use anything else now, but now taht I've tried and like the Williams, it will be used on a regular basis.
Tried Williams again today for the first time in a few months. Better than the last couple--loaded a lot more product. Used quite a bit of water to get a decent lather. First pass was good--thinner than some but plenty slick. Second pass started out the same but dried out mid pass. Third pass with additional water ended the same as the second.
Overall it's ok. Not as bad as it's reputation around here, but there are so many soaps that are so much better I doubt ill use it again to shave with. It does maintain it position in my brush de-funking process, however, where it excels.
Overall it's ok. Not as bad as it's reputation around here, but there are so many soaps that are so much better I doubt ill use it again to shave with. It does maintain it position in my brush de-funking process, however, where it excels.
I didn't have much success the first time I tried Williams. Second time I tried was a different story. I used my SOC and soaked the brush in the bowl with the soap for a few minutes. After soaking for a few minutes I poured off the water from the bowl and let some of the water drain from the brush and then started lathering. I got plenty of thick, slick lather. I think a boar brush makes all the difference.
At least for me.
At least for me.
I have never had an issue with it personally. I fill the bowl with the soap in, with hot water for a minute. Soak the brush in there as well. After a minute I poured the water from the bowl then started lathering for about 30 seconds. I get plenty of thick slick lather quickly. Is it the best soap I have used? No. Is it the worse? Not by a long stretch. For $1.70 delivered to my door it is hard to beat. If it makes a difference I'm a old type OC shaver.
Remembering back that my dad just used left over bits of bath soap, I decided to prove to myself that any soap would work.
So I grabbed the remainder of my hotel face soap after my last trip and gave it a go.
While I was able to get it to lather OK, it took far more work than any "shaving soap" I have ever tried. And the lather was mediocre to boot.
I think hand whipping cream for hot chocolate is easier than lathering soaps full of moisturizing oils. And whipped cream probably shaves about as well.
So, yeah, every soap is different. And soap made for shaving is better for shaving. No wonder my dad grew a beard in old age.
i have used many soaps. including williams. i have had no problem creating a good lather with it,the price is great. for me the key to a great straight shave is a properly honed razor. i have honed my razors for years. i have shaved while on duty in iraq with only water to wet my face.i do like colonel conk bay rum, but as a former marine williams was more than adequate in the deserts of kuwait and iraq.
- Thread starter
- #52
I got stuck at an hotel and forgotten my soap, so tried what they had.. I believe it was a simple name like "San Fransisco Soap company" but it was actually excellent soap overall... we ended up asking the front desk if we could get a few to bring home (and we'd pay for them), but they just gave us a few.
I'll have to take it out and try it again.. it's been a while, forgot about it, you just reminded me.
San Fransisco Soap Company makes good products. You can order from them online.
EXACTLY. Im really not understanding whats not to like. It feels like the Fender/Gibson arguments I see on the geetar forums. Ive found if you do the steps, you cant help but get good lather. Maybe the haters should stick with creams or foam.
I wish I could find Williams locally. I have yet to try it.
a good lather
I don't understand the cartoon hate exhibited by people on Williams. Ok, we get it, you didn't get good lather but clearly some of us have (and on a consistent basis) and it can't be coincidence that some of us have been wet shaving for multiple decades. Back in the day (I can't believe I just used that phrase) we didn't have a ton of options in the soap department...if you wanted a can of foam, you were set but soaps were few and far between. Experience had taught us how to use less and enjoy more. If the words "Your Mileage May Vary" ever applied to any topic it should be the topic of Williams. If you don't like it, fine....but don't post hate for hates sake. Go post your love for your soap and stop trying to make us feel like we're shaving with the equivalent of Coors Light. Rant over.
Interesting analogy...
While I agree with you, my only problem with that analogy is that even if Williams is the equivalent of Coors Light, what the heck's wrong with Coors Light? There's nothing more revolting than some bearded hipster with horn-rimmed glasses and a quiff hairdo, dressed like a lumberjack in the middle of a major metro area, espousing his knowledge of craft beers and his refusal to drink anything mass produced. The problem is, it's beer. He's not some wine connoisseur. It's just beer. He's just a jackhole searching for an angle. I don't need to be told by anyone something isn't any good just because it can be bought at the local supermarket.
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Nothing wrong wth Coors Light if you like it. To me, it tastes like your foot's asleep but YMMV. Pass the Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, please.
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