Item Description
Shave stick from South Africa (white container trimmed in blue). It's the Real McCoy all right, vintage Williams is still made in South Africa.
This is the stick, currently available exclusively at Shave A Buck for $12.00.
It compares favorably in size and appearance to a stick I bought on ebay, probably from the 50s or 60s (red container).
I like shave sticks, particularly for travel, but I prefer the "push up" dispenser so I can lather with a brush. With the Williams stick, it rocks in the base so you have to peel the cellophane back and rub it on your face.
Stick wetted and rubbed on my wetted face: this is two days beard growth. If I shave every day there isn't enough stubble for much soap to stay on my face. That's why I'd prefer a "push up" dispenser and a brush.
You can see how much soap I could muster for each of the three passes I lathered up.
The rose scent is minimal, but good enough to satisfy any complaint by people who hate soapy/urinal cake smell.
All in all, it offered perfect protection, and if it were still available in the US I'd use it.
The price is obviously a reflection of the cost involved in importing from South Africa.
Thanks to Joe at Shave A Buck for making this product available. I have been dying to try a Williams version reflective of the glory days in Glastonbury, CT.
Another interesting aspect of this soap is that it does not have an ingredients list. Evidently this is not required in South Africa.
Funny thing, at the end of the shave stick it still says "J.B. Williams Co., Glastonbury, Conn." The fine print on the container says ""Manufactured for: Kiwi Brands by A.J. North (Pty) Ltd., Watt Road, Gately S201.
This is the stick, currently available exclusively at Shave A Buck for $12.00.
It compares favorably in size and appearance to a stick I bought on ebay, probably from the 50s or 60s (red container).
I like shave sticks, particularly for travel, but I prefer the "push up" dispenser so I can lather with a brush. With the Williams stick, it rocks in the base so you have to peel the cellophane back and rub it on your face.
Stick wetted and rubbed on my wetted face: this is two days beard growth. If I shave every day there isn't enough stubble for much soap to stay on my face. That's why I'd prefer a "push up" dispenser and a brush.
You can see how much soap I could muster for each of the three passes I lathered up.
The rose scent is minimal, but good enough to satisfy any complaint by people who hate soapy/urinal cake smell.
All in all, it offered perfect protection, and if it were still available in the US I'd use it.
The price is obviously a reflection of the cost involved in importing from South Africa.
Thanks to Joe at Shave A Buck for making this product available. I have been dying to try a Williams version reflective of the glory days in Glastonbury, CT.
Another interesting aspect of this soap is that it does not have an ingredients list. Evidently this is not required in South Africa.
Funny thing, at the end of the shave stick it still says "J.B. Williams Co., Glastonbury, Conn." The fine print on the container says ""Manufactured for: Kiwi Brands by A.J. North (Pty) Ltd., Watt Road, Gately S201.