(Modern) Williams Mug Shaving Soap
The following is one lathering method that I've found for great lather with Modern Williams (or any hard puck shaving soap). I thought I'd share it, along with pictures to help anyone who has just discovered Williams; or who, like me, has failed several times and is just about to give up on this classic shaving soap.
Equipment - Puck of Williams Soap, bowl filled with hot water, and a synthetic brush
Background - I tried and failed several time and could not get good lather from Modern Williams by bowl lathering. Using this alternative method, I can get very good, dense lather from Modern Williams. However, using this method for the past 8 shaves, I've been able to achieve excellent, consistent lather. This puck is going to last quite a while.
Special Thank You to @Guitar10 who gave me awesome help, sent pictures, gave encouragement, while I was learning how to lather Williams.
Note to the seasoned pros - yes, this is using Williams as a shave stick and face lathering
Getting started - I leave the puck dry to start, no soaking, no blooming, just pull it out of its box
Step 1 - Soak your brush in hot water for at least a couple of minutes. I haven't tried warm or cold water but that should work, too
Step 2 - While your brush is soaking, wet your face and rub the side of the puck on your wet face. I start with a dry puck and use moderate pressure. You only need a light to modest amount of soap and you may barely see the soap on your whiskers. Over time, you'll be able to get the amount of soap just the way you need it.
Step 3 - Grab your brush and give it 2 medium-to-firm shakes. Get the excess water out but leave it damp
Step 4 - Begin face lathering. I start by making a figure 8, looping around 1 cheek, continuing under my chin, and looping around the other cheek. I do this a couple of times to even things out. Then, I use circular swirls to build the lather. Occasionally, I'll use the figure 8 brush stroke to even out the lather across my whiskers.
Step 5 - Add more water by dipping the tips of the brush in the soak bowl and continue to build the lather on your face. Again, I use the figure 8 stroke as I'm adding the water, then go back to using circular swirls.
Step 6 - With the lather built, I use painting strokes to smooth the lather out
Step 7 - Shave, rinse your face, and leave it wet.
Step 8 - Apply more lather for 2nd pass using the lather already in your brush. Use a combination of swirl strokes, figure 8's, and painting stroke like lathering for the 1st pass. If you do need additional soap, just rub the puck on your whiskers and build more lather.
Step 9 - After finishing my shave, I dry the puck off using a regular hand towel and put it back into its box for storage
Conclusion - I had plenty of lather for 2 full passes and then some. In my region, Williams costs $1 which makes this soap a crazy awesome bargain!! It's taken several failed lathering attempts to get to this point, but it was worth the trip. Now that I know how to lather Modern Williams, it will have a regular place in my soap rotation.
The following is one lathering method that I've found for great lather with Modern Williams (or any hard puck shaving soap). I thought I'd share it, along with pictures to help anyone who has just discovered Williams; or who, like me, has failed several times and is just about to give up on this classic shaving soap.
Equipment - Puck of Williams Soap, bowl filled with hot water, and a synthetic brush
Background - I tried and failed several time and could not get good lather from Modern Williams by bowl lathering. Using this alternative method, I can get very good, dense lather from Modern Williams. However, using this method for the past 8 shaves, I've been able to achieve excellent, consistent lather. This puck is going to last quite a while.
Special Thank You to @Guitar10 who gave me awesome help, sent pictures, gave encouragement, while I was learning how to lather Williams.
Note to the seasoned pros - yes, this is using Williams as a shave stick and face lathering
Getting started - I leave the puck dry to start, no soaking, no blooming, just pull it out of its box
Step 1 - Soak your brush in hot water for at least a couple of minutes. I haven't tried warm or cold water but that should work, too
Step 2 - While your brush is soaking, wet your face and rub the side of the puck on your wet face. I start with a dry puck and use moderate pressure. You only need a light to modest amount of soap and you may barely see the soap on your whiskers. Over time, you'll be able to get the amount of soap just the way you need it.
Step 3 - Grab your brush and give it 2 medium-to-firm shakes. Get the excess water out but leave it damp
Step 4 - Begin face lathering. I start by making a figure 8, looping around 1 cheek, continuing under my chin, and looping around the other cheek. I do this a couple of times to even things out. Then, I use circular swirls to build the lather. Occasionally, I'll use the figure 8 brush stroke to even out the lather across my whiskers.
Step 5 - Add more water by dipping the tips of the brush in the soak bowl and continue to build the lather on your face. Again, I use the figure 8 stroke as I'm adding the water, then go back to using circular swirls.
Step 6 - With the lather built, I use painting strokes to smooth the lather out
Step 7 - Shave, rinse your face, and leave it wet.
Step 8 - Apply more lather for 2nd pass using the lather already in your brush. Use a combination of swirl strokes, figure 8's, and painting stroke like lathering for the 1st pass. If you do need additional soap, just rub the puck on your whiskers and build more lather.
Step 9 - After finishing my shave, I dry the puck off using a regular hand towel and put it back into its box for storage
Conclusion - I had plenty of lather for 2 full passes and then some. In my region, Williams costs $1 which makes this soap a crazy awesome bargain!! It's taken several failed lathering attempts to get to this point, but it was worth the trip. Now that I know how to lather Modern Williams, it will have a regular place in my soap rotation.