Williams: It must be all about the water

[FormerDATT]

I have watched this forum for as long as I have returned to DE shaving. Early on, upon reading too many bad reviews for Williams, I had determined that this would not be on my shopping list. Well, after Prorazo, VDH, and a few other pricy (and excellent!) soaps and creams I threw caution to the wind and added a puck of Williams to my supermarket basket. I found the most amazing thing - I really like it. I used it this evening for fun. I figured that if my face caught on fire a night of Cornhuskers should aleviate any morning discomfort. I used an old and very soft boar brush (got her real hot & wet!), and our Culligan's soft water from the tap. The rest was pure Niverna; thick and heavy creamy lather and a real fine shave.
I think what makes the difference for those who like it may very well be softened water. My wife insists the Culligan guy load the softener up beyond the normal setting. Taking a shower feels almost oily (ugh) but it seems to really do wonders for my .98 cent Williams.
Dave

 

[qdaddy]

Williams is one of my go to's.......... I get Tabac level lather out of it without any trouble. I have very hard water, still lathers like a champ!

 

[luvmysuper]

Williams has been around for years for a reason. It's good and it works.
It's in my regular rotation right up there with the Big Dogs.

 

[DymondCutter]

I really like this soap too. I used it this morning for the second day in a row. My father in-law gave it to me and said he had it for quite awhile. Now I can't find it in any of my local drug stores or supermarkets.

 

[Loner16]

I rediscovered Williams quite by accident.. Came across an old mug with a Williams puck still in it..
Took the dust off the top, lathered it up and enjoyed it immensely. I'll always have Williams around here..

Besides, I guess I always tend to stick up for the underdog, and i tend to shun things that are overpriced for what they are.

Snob appeal doesn't work around here!

 

[MrGuy]

For me, there's nothing "wrong" with Williams, but there are better, more pleasant choices. I always have a puck or two on hand, mostly because I still can pick it up at a couple of local stores for 99 cents.

 

[WhosYerBob]

Nothing wrong with Williams here either. It's a good product at a great price point.

 

[Schwert]

Yup, Williams is a good shave soap....it is in my rotation for quality of lather and nice old style scent too.

 

[Deltaboy]

I have been using Williams for about a month now and I like it.

 

[cim_can]

I just picked some up the other day and tried it out. I got a decent lather and not a shabby shave. I need some more time with it, to work on making more luxurious later. And I don't mind the scent - it's pretty light and pleasing.

 

[Lion71]

Williams works for me. Its what I started with and what I've used the most over the years. I like other stuff too, right now I'm using Tabac, but I always come back to Williams.

Leo

 

[sodajerk]

Used softened water once and thought I had changed razor, blade and soap! They all went from 2 1/2 to 5 stars!

Like your avatar - that is a really great movie.

 

[BigSlick]

I tried to like but couldn't. I got a good lather but it would collapse/dissipate before I got finished shaving.

 

[rickboone1]

My water is fairly hard. Not soft at all. I like Williams. Takes a tad longer and actually uses less water than others.

 

[eldonanda]

I took a puck of Williams, grated it into a bowl, then grated three sample soap pucks from Prairie-Creations (sort of searching for a different overall bouquet),
mixed it all up, threw the concoction into a tupperware container, tamped it down, and the result is VERY VERY GOOD.

FWIW.

 

[koso]

I'm sure nice soft water doesn't hurt - but I think overall OP got the #1 thing right... USING ENOUGH SOAP!

I used Wool Fat last night and got enough thick lather for three passes for myself and a couple for my six-year old daughter who wanted to 'shave' with Daddy.

It's all about getting the product into the mix.

 

[BroJohn]

You have to work it a bit longer, but Williams will product a dense, creamy lather. I just found it drying to my face post-shave, so it's not a favorite. But it is a good product.

-- John Gehman

 

[kadett]

The problem with all of what is written here is that the Williams soap is not the same soap formulation of the past. By most accounts its not the same product at all; that older product (60's 70's, [80's maybe?]) apparently produced copious rich long lasting lather with no problems. This just isn't the case with the Williams puck today in my experience.

In any case I can get the soap to lather to some extent, but the lather breaks down and dries out before I finish the shave. For what its worth I use MWF and have no problems so I think I know something about soaps. However, from the descriptions you guys are giving it sounds like you use a totally different product from the one I have on the shelf.

I think you should post the technique you are using to get this rich creamy lather you speak of.

 

[VR6ofpain]

I would say the majority of my Williams shaves are good. Occasionally my mix is off and they are less ideal. One thing for me is I have to use a boar brush. I can't get good lather with Williams and a soft badger (Silvertip).

 

[FormerDATT]

Nothing special here in my house regarding my technique. I use a good vintage boar brush, soaked in hot water. I have watched the Mantic (sp?) You-tubes and find his technique the same as I have always followed with the exception of his so-called "J strokes". I am afraid I'd cut my throat.
By the by, just finished watching "To have and have not". Great line from Lauren Bacall (after sharing a kiss), "Go ahead and shave & we'll try it some more"!
Dave