Williams; Van der Hagen: Are either of these Soaps acceptable?

[salisburyyates]

I use VDH daily. I've only tried Proraso, Williams and 2 creams so far, though.

For lathering and hydrating the face, VDH does a great job. For a 10+ dollar puck of Dr. Harris, TOBS or Tabac I expect the experience to be 10 times better.

So we'll see what happens when I run out of my current stock

 

[RayH]

I have both but between the two, I prefer VDH. It lathers better and doesn't dry out like William does. But you can get a good shave with both. I did use Williams for a long while until I found better.

 

[Wingnut]

Right now, I'm using the Van der Hagen (yeah, the $1.50 puck at Walmart) on a regular basis and it works great for me.

I haven't tried Williams, so I can't comment.

- Chris

+1 for VDH, and I too haven't yet tried the Williams.

 

[Koss]

I have no idea why people always want to compare VDH to the top of the line luxury soaps and creams out there.

How many people talk about a Honda Fit Sport, or Toyota Corolla and then end their thought with... But I wouldn't confuse it with a Ferrari or Bentley.

Honda and Toyota's are perfectly acceptable, dependable, widely available cars. But you won't experience driving at its best until you have Driven a Ferrari, or rode in the back of a Bentley.

 

[The Nid Hog]

Kinda like shaving with a bowl of flesh.

Agreed. I think that it looks like a melted Barbie packed into a bowl.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I have no idea why people always want to compare VDH to the top of the line luxury soaps and creams out there.

How many people talk about a Honda Fit Sport, or Toyota Corolla and then end their thought with... But I wouldn't confuse it with a Ferrari or Bentley.

Honda and Toyota's are perfectly acceptable, dependable, widely available cars. But you won't experience driving at its best until you have Driven a Ferrari, or rode in the back of a Bentley.

For your argument to work, we'd all have to agree that the same magnitude of difference exists between a Honda Fit and a Ferrari 599 as between a puck of Williams and a puck of Blenheim Bouquet. And I simply don't think that's the case. Of course Penhaligon's makes a heck of a soap, but I don't think that it's all that different. It's still soap. It's a faulty strategy to try to convince us that everything we think that we know about the difference between a Japanese economy car and an English touring car tells us anything at all about soap. I think that the reason that people want to compare them is because of their similarities.

 

[otherstar]

I have the VDH. The smell is odd, kind of nice, but kind of off. The quality of shave was horrendous the few times I tried to use it so I'm saving it for some super lather combos later down the line. Grab all 4 Col. Conk pucks at 3.25 each plus shipping, should last ages.

As an interesting aside, I've got a puck of Col. Conk Lime, and outside of the scent, the Conk looks and lathers just like VDH Glycerin (the orange puck).

Personally, I prefer the VDH Deluxe over the Williams. I've used both over the years without problems, but prefer the VDH.

 

[ClubmanRob]

As an interesting aside, I've got a puck of Col. Conk Lime, and outside of the scent, the Conk looks and lathers just like VDH Glycerin (the orange puck).

Personally, I prefer the VDH Deluxe over the Williams. I've used both over the years without problems, but prefer the VDH.

Near as I can figure, the Col Conk soaps are exactly the same as the VDH soaps aside from superficial color/scent variances. I know they come off the same assembly line, but I'm pretty sure the recipes are the same as well.

 

[Dewaine]

I have used VdH as often as TOBS, Proraso, Omega, and Trumpers. I really don't see how one shave was better than another once I got the proper techique down. I have as close, smooth, and comfortable shaves with VdH as with any other.

If VdH were priced at $16.50 per puck, you would hear people saying it is as good at Tabac.

The psychology of pricing, I tell ya.

 

[poppi]

I really like VDH. So much so that Wednesday is VDH Day at my house.

 

[mrbeckett]

I use both VDH and Williams regularly, although I usually supelather the Williams with C.O. Bigelow shave cream available at Bath an Body Works. Deffinitely give that cream a shot if you can. As a noob, I'd recomend trying the VDH first because, like others have said, it's a bit easier to work with if your unsure of your lathering ability. Williams gets alot of mixed reviw on here, but for the money it's a decent soap. If you decide to give Williams a shot a trick that I've found to getting a nice lather from it is to soak the puck in hot water for three to five minutes before you shave. 've been known to let mine soak for up to a half hour while I showere. This softens the outer layer of the puck and makes loading the brush easy. Mind you, this step is only useful with the Williams because it's a particularly hard, dry soap. I've found doing this with other soaps will drastically shorten their lifespan.

 

[kzoo1]

I use both as part of a superlather daily, both are fine soaps and both work well.

I have yet to see a thread about "fixing" VDH...

 

[gollum83]

Agreed. I think that it looks like a melted Barbie packed into a bowl.

That has to be the funniest thing I read this morning!

Near as I can figure, the Col Conk soaps are exactly the same as the VDH soaps aside from superficial color/scent variances. I know they come off the same assembly line, but I'm pretty sure the recipes are the same as well.

It wouldn't surprise me any. There's no real good reason why the factory would go and use radically different recipes for glycerin soap.

 

[King of Kailua]

I'm not convinced about the whole "luxury" vs "value" thingy with soaps. After trying many I have found myself establishing a regular routine with my Col. Conk Amber and my VDHd. The cheap stuff is working really nicely for me. I haven't revisited my expensive creams for a while either as a result.

 

[kingfisher]

I'm not convinced about the whole "luxury" vs "value" thingy with soaps. After trying many I have found myself establishing a regular routine with my Col. Conk Amber and my VDHd. The cheap stuff is working really nicely for me. I haven't revisited my expensive creams for a while either as a result.

Agreed. The other soaps stand out mostly based on scent and scent preferences. There really is no comparison between, for example, TGQ Savon De Campagne and VDH Deluxe in terms of scent, so the TGQ makes the shave seem much more luxurious.

 

[Jwolf24601]

I love both soaps, I think I like Williams a little better as it leaves my face less oily than the VDH (I have oily skin)

Both are good soaps at a great price. I have stocked up on them too, over a dozen of each in my cabinet. I'll never be caught short of soap and only cost me about $30 for what is probably a 4-5 year supply

 

[kingfisher]

I love both soaps, I think I like Williams a little better as it leaves my face less oily than the VDH (I have oily skin)

Both are good soaps at a great price. I have stocked up on them too, over a dozen of each in my cabinet. I'll never be caught short of soap and only cost me about $30 for what is probably a 4-5 year supply

Hoard much?

 

[Jwolf24601]

Hoard much?

Yes I think I am heading in that route. I found B&B because I could not find the Herban Cowboy soap pucks (which I now know are crap) I had been using. Also from time to time I would have to use fusion cartridges way past their prime because I could not afford new ones.

So I bought a dozen of each williams and VDH online as well as 100 Dorco 300's which work well for me.

Does not quench the AD's but is insurance against ever having to have a rough shave again...

 

[nmerth]

I have used both..and only these two Until my PIF ARRIVES!! THANKS MATT!!!
I Love the VDH DELUXE It works well Superlathered with Derby Lavender..another Cheap but effective product. I love the smell...it lingers most of the day without being overpowering. Every once In a while I get that freshly showered scent....nice. And for 1.50it cant be beat. The williams on the other hand.. didn't Lather AS well for me..but I only used it once and its has been said to work better after a week. Lol I went back to VDH the next day. I am only on my 8th shave but this MHO

 

[kingfisher]

I went back to VDH the next day. I am only on my 8th shave but this MHO

This is proof that VDH is a pretty good soap. A guy who is only on his 8th shave can get a good lather out it. It's simple. It works.