The Williams Way!

[heat sink]

For some reason unknown to me, I found myself using a puck of williams that I hadn't touched (even to add to a superlather) in months as my sole soap this morning.

I was using my FS finest badger brush, which is a bit firmer than my other DR Harris best badger, and I knew to approach the williams with more vigor, start damp, and add water. Things seemed off to a good start, then I found my lather disappearing, so rather than try to work it in the mug more, I just continued with face-lathering. This proved to be more effective.

I found myself cringing a few times throughout the shave every time the blade would catch or snag a hair, and it was all in all feeling a bit rough, and I was fully prepared to regret the attempt and toss the puck. I persevered, cleaned up, and found that I wound up with a DFS, smooth skin, and no real irritation to speak of. So, my plan to hate Williams has been foiled, and while it doesn't hold a citronella candle to Cella in terms of the luxurious aftereffects, it does work as a shave soap. I have not yet tried it on the pits, though.

 

[kingfisher]

In before Michiganlover and Seraphim!

 

[michiganlover]

In before Michiganlover and Seraphim!

Oh no, I am slipping.

Life is too short to use Modern Williams.

 

[geneaut]

I have a theory that older Williams lathers better than fresh.

I bought 2 pucks when I first started shaving last year. Used the first one mostly up, and then started branching out into other soaps and creams. The first puck performed OK, but nothing special. It got relegated to an old coffee mug on the shave shelf, until one day I just decided to use it as a shower soap ( I happen to like citronella ).

Some weeks ago I opened and used the 2nd bar (probably almost 12 months after I purchased it ), and it seemed noticeably easier to lather. The scent was also milder. I didn't even have to pre-soak it before using like I used to do.

 

[BlackBard]

I have a theory that older Williams lathers better than fresh.

I bought 2 pucks when I first started shaving last year. Used the first one mostly up, and then started branching out into other soaps and creams. The first puck performed OK, but nothing special. It got relegated to an old coffee mug on the shave shelf, until one day I just decided to use it as a shower soap ( I happen to like citronella ).

Some weeks ago I opened and used the 2nd bar (probably almost 12 months after I purchased it ), and it seemed noticeably easier to lather. The scent was also milder. I didn't even have to pre-soak it before using like I used to do.

Perhaps you just learned how to lather better in the interim. Williams is really not that unforgiving. It just needs a little more attention and skilled hands to bring out all its goodness.

Proud member of the Anti-Social Williams Group.

 

[geneaut]

Perhaps you just learned how to lather better in the interim. Williams is really not that unforgiving. It just needs a little more attention and skilled hands to bring out all its goodness.

Proud member of the Anti-Social Williams Group.

That is certainly possible, but this second puck almost seems to lather itself. Maybe I got a really good bar.

I face lathered with it yesterday ... heaven. I had never tried that before.

 

[Seraphim]

Hold on a second here....


Let's review:

I found myself cringing a few times throughout the shave every time the blade would catch or snag a hair, and it was all in all feeling a bit rough

Any soap that gives me that kind of shave experience (Williams), rates as "terrible" in my book. How could you say such a shave was not so bad?

You've been hypnotized by the Wiliams supporters into thinking what's bad is good. Next they'll have you convinced that up is down and black is white!

Just say "no"!

 

[michiganlover]

Hold on a second here....


Let's review:

.."I found myself cringing a few times throughout the shave every time the blade would catch or snag a hair, and it was all in all feeling a bit rough."

Any soap that gives me that kind of shave experience (Williams), rates as "terrible" in my book. How could you say such a shave was not so bad?

+1 ,000,000

There are way to many other superior choices out there to suffer with a soap that makes it feel like the blade is catching, or snagging the hairs. Such an experience would not rate as a Damn Fine Shave in my book, and the offending product would immediately meet its demise in the trash can!!

I repeat, life is too short to use Modern Williams!!

 

[DE Shaver]

Considering for a couple dollars more, you can get a soap that will make your shaving experience better. Williams isn't the worse thing to use but you can do better with a nominal amount more money. However, if you feel your shaves are good enough, then who am I to criticize.

 

[Topgumby]

Nobody expects the Williams inquisition!

Our three weapons are fear, surprise, an almost fanatical devotion to the VDH, and nice red uniforms!

Our four weapons are fear, surprise, and almost fanatical devotion to VDh, red uniforms and proof that vintage Williams was better!

Amongst our weaponry are...never mind!

Cardinal Biggles, bring on....The Comfy Shave!

Not frightened, eh? Don't fret, there will be a nice aftershave and cologne before we are done!

 

[Seraphim]

Just to be clear:

I have not ever used VDH, and have no animosity, nor favor towards that particular shave soap.

 

[Seraphim]

The other night I had a great meal at a very nice resturaunt (the Chateau de Williams).


Well, actually, the meat wasn't cooked, there was a fingernail clipping in the potatoes, and a clump of hair in the salad. I saw the chef out back sneeze in the food, but aside from that, it actually wasn't bad at all.

 

[michiganlover]

The other night I had a great meal at a very nice resturaunt (the Chateau de Williams).


Well, actually, the meat wasn't cooked, there was a fingernail clipping in the potatoes, and a clump of hair in the salad. I saw the chef out back sneeze in the food, but aside from that, it actually wasn't bad at all.

You call that a great meal? I think you would be better served eating at McDonald's. The foods not great, but it is consistent.

That's one thing Williams has going for it, it is very consistent. Consistently BAD!!

 

[SliceOfLife]

My guess is that you just got a lot better at lathering (and got a better brush perhaps). Or (less likely) picked up one old Gen and one of the most recent pucks and used the recent one a year ago. The previous formulations were substantially better latherers than current Williams.

With the right brush and technique Williams could be said to lather very readily. But it's a very small number of brushes and techniques that can do it. The lather can actually be quite good, but it's not worth the effort for me.

 

[bob.e]

I've never had a problem nor complaint using Williams It might be my water or just dumb luck but i've always had tons of lather and smooth shaves using it, I've used bowls mugs and old style scuttles boar badger and synthetic brushes and never a problem

 

[Saturn]

I remember picking up some Williams a while back. Having heard so much about it, I decided it was worth at least a try, considering how cheap it was. Little did I know just how much that soap would cost me.

The shave was bad - but do I even need to say that, at this point? I finished up with Cella that morning, and after several more tries, promptly threw the puck in the trash. I thought that was the end of it, yet there was a sense of disquiet that filled my being, a foreboding which I could not explain. That night my sleep was plagued with horrific nightmares, murderous imagery, and several times I awoke in a sweat, as if expecting to see the demons from my sleep there before me, in my bedroom... but nothing was there.

I shook it off and went to the kitchen to make some coffee... and there sitting in the middle of the dining table was the puck of Williams. The same puck I had just tossed in the trash the day prior, the trash which had been taken out and picked up already by the garbage truck this morning. It was impossible... and yet there it was, staring at me, threatening, daring me to throw it out again. I did. What choice did I have?

I threw that soap away, again, and had my morning shave with Proraso - good old Proraso, you've never let me down. Yet as I turned on the tap, what flowed out of that faucet ... that was not water. Deep, dark crimson. Blood. And a stench began to fill the washroom, as of death, or rotting meat. I couldn't even find my breath to scream. This continued, over the course of a week, each day I attempted to throw away, even to destroy the puck of Williams, to no avail. I encountered a string of increasingly terrifying events, most of which I dare not even account here. Finally, in desperation... I packed my things and left. Left that house, left the city, left the state.

I've heard another family had taken up residence in that house for a very short period of time, about a month, at most. They too left town in a hurry, saying not a word to friends or family, and to this day refusing to talk about what had happened there. The house is still abandoned, to my knowledge.

I have since learned to move on with my life, but concerning what I experienced there, I may never fully recover. Please, friends, do not make the mistake I made. You may think it is just a harmless shave soap. You may be lured in by its budget price, or its reputation as a longstanding American classic. But I urge you - for the sake of your soul - keep away.

 

[Seraphim]

Yeah, do not throw Williams in the trash.


Proper disposal is to use it as a shower soap until it is all gone.

It is a really nice shower soap in my opinion.

 

[kg4ghn]

I remember picking up some Williams a while back. Having heard so much about it, I decided it was worth at least a try, considering how cheap it was. Little did I know just how much that soap would cost me.

The shave was bad - but do I even need to say that, at this point? I finished up with Cella that morning, and after several more tries, promptly threw the puck in the trash. I thought that was the end of it, yet there was a sense of disquiet that filled my being, a foreboding which I could not explain. That night my sleep was plagued with horrific nightmares, murderous imagery, and several times I awoke in a sweat, as if expecting to see the demons from my sleep there before me, in my bedroom... but nothing was there.

I shook it off and went to the kitchen to make some coffee... and there sitting in the middle of the dining table was the puck of Williams. The same puck I had just tossed in the trash the day prior, the trash which had been taken out and picked up already by the garbage truck this morning. It was impossible... and yet there it was, staring at me, threatening, daring me to throw it out again. I did. What choice did I have?

I threw that soap away, again, and had my morning shave with Proraso - good old Proraso, you've never let me down. Yet as I turned on the tap, what flowed out of that faucet ... that was not water. Deep, dark crimson. Blood. And a stench began to fill the washroom, as of death, or rotting meat. I couldn't even find my breath to scream. This continued, over the course of a week, each day I attempted to throw away, even to destroy the puck of Williams, to no avail. I encountered a string of increasingly terrifying events, most of which I dare not even account here. Finally, in desperation... I packed my things and left. Left that house, left the city, left the state.

I've heard another family had taken up residence in that house for a very short period of time, about a month, at most. They too left town in a hurry, saying not a word to friends or family, and to this day refusing to talk about what had happened there. The house is still abandoned, to my knowledge.

I have since learned to move on with my life, but concerning what I experienced there, I may never fully recover. Please, friends, do not make the mistake I made. You may think it is just a harmless shave soap. You may be lured in by its budget price, or its reputation as a longstanding American classic. But I urge you - for the sake of your soul - keep away.

Yeah, do not throw Williams in the trash.


Proper disposal is to use it as a shower soap until it is all gone.

It is a really nice shower soap in my opinion.

Poor guy, just wanted to be used.

 

[Topgumby]

.... But I urge you - for the sake of your soul - keep away.

Williams: Harnessing Demonic Forces Since 1840.

It is a really nice shower soap in my opinion.

Slowly, slowly, even the most avowed detractors see a glimmer of light penetrate the darkness they have woven around themselves,,,

 

[SliceOfLife]

These threads always make me wanna go get another puck of the stuff just to play with it some more.