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Williams Mug Shaving Soap 63¢ or less locally

I insist - there are currently two versions of Williams available in stores now.

The beige version, which I enjoy and there is a rather white version which really, really, really sucks. I know there are other threads comparing different versions. The one that I have come across twice that is almost ivory white is trash.

What say ye to this?

I say ye that I haven't seen the beige version, only the white in my parts. I will try it if I see it though.
 
I should have read this earlier as I would have used the coupons. Fry's (Kroger) doubles coupons up to $1. I shelled out a whole $1.70 including tax for a puck. I like William's and rub it on my beard like a shave stick and get good results from it.
 
Its still better than Colonel Conk IMHO. I think that is truly the worst stuff on earth. It was like trying to squeeze blood from a turnip to get good lather out of that Conk puck. Yuck.

Oh I got plenty of lather out of conk soaps, problem was, it didn't do anything for slickness or cushion. The Almond smelled wonderfull however, just wasn't the most effective product for me.
 
I insist - there are currently two versions of Williams available in stores now.

The beige version, which I enjoy and there is a rather white version which really, really, really sucks. I know there are other threads comparing different versions. The one that I have come across twice that is almost ivory white is trash. The not so white version that works for me has very little scent, but has a web address on the box so it can't be that old.

What say ye to this?

All the Williams I've ever seen is kind of off-white, never Ivory-soap white.

I've been using the stuff for close to 20 years and I don't ever recall there being a major change to the color.

Colgate was whiter. Burma was very white.
 
there are always constants in life. for me one constant is I know that no matter when I sign on to B&B, I can count on a threads about williams, tabac and arko being on the main soap page.

The williams thread always contains some humorous antics from Topgumby and the predictable I hate this crap comments from michiganlover.

I know the circle of life is complete when I see both guys weigh in.
 
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Using the "For a few dollars difference" be damned there are better choices out there for me than modern, or vintage, Williams.

Since the title of the thread is about how it's possible with a coupon to score Williams for much less than a buck a puck, I'm a-guessin' that the OP didn't have "for a few dollars difference be damned" engraved on his heart when he posted. :lol:

If the memory of dearly departed, easy to lather old formula Williams is spoiling any chance of seeing any virtue in the new stuff, then I'll get off your lawn and let you go back to telling tales of going to the general store in a snowstorm, uphill both ways, to get a puck, and how you were glad to do it.

A well-spoken defense, as always, TopGumby. Williams is a traditional, cold-process soap using tallow and other fats and is available cheaply and locally. Does that mean that we who like it are going to prevent others from paying more for something better? Certainly not. I mean I've got practically no income and Williams isn't my only soap. TopGumby makes no secret of his Old Spice collection. There are probably some people who do use it exclusively, but nonetheless, threads celebrating it shouldn't be seen as an affront to all the other great soaps out there, including vintage Williams. Williams is just a fun, inexpensive experience.

I highly recommend it, but I'd tell any newbies reading this to start with something better so that they get a sense of the baseline quality, and learn some technique first.

Congrats to the OP for getting some coupons. I don't think I'll write in and inundate the company any further, because I don't have anything profound to pass along to them that the OP didn't already say, but I definitely think more highly of the company in light of their generosity and attention.
 
there are always constants in life. for me one constant is I know that no matter when I sign on to B&B, I can count on a threads about williams, tabac and arko being on the main soap page.

You're right, maybe there should be a sub-board under soaps just for all the threads on Williams, Tabac and Arko. (kinda like how Method lives under General) Maybe throw VDH in there too. Then we can get back to the outer reaches of soap exploration here. :)
 
One day somebody is going to create a Williams Vegetal product that will have heads exploding like popcorn all over the forum.

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Williams Vegetal? Sign me up!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Seriously, I love Williams and can get a great lather if let a bit of hot water sit on the cake for a few minutes to soften it a bit. I get the best lather with a Syntex (nylon) or synthetic badger brush. Badger is ok and boar takes a lot of work to lather it but it can be done. It's a good budget soap and does very well when you add a bit of creme to create a superlather. Lately I've been using SheaMoisure Shaving Butter (which does not lather much on it's own but is very emollient) with Williams, VDH and Conk and getting amazing shaves on par with my Tabac, Spieck soap, and MWF. Also, don't make the lather too wet. I find Williams lather work best slightly on the dry side, very creamy and lasting that way. Too wet and it just seems to disappear from your face (but still provides the needed lubrication.)

YMMV but this is what has worked for me.
 
I say though has found some NOS pre Combe Williams, sirrah. Get thee hence and scarf it up, verily.

That was my thought too, that the version that is darker is NOS, perhaps from the Smith Beecham/ Glaxo Smith Kline period. I would quickly snatch up all of it that they have. Then I would ask if they have more of it in the backroom, and buy that too; especially since you indicate that the super white version is utter garbage!!

If the soap is lacking the heavy Citronella lemon smell, then it is most certainly NOS.

Having recently completed a week of testing with the Smith Beecham/ Glaxo Smith Kline variation, I found it is vastly superior to the most recent formulation.
 
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A well-spoken defense, as always, TopGumby. Williams is a traditional, cold-process soap using tallow and other fats and is available cheaply and locally. Does that mean that we who like it are going to prevent others from paying more for something better? Certainly not. I mean I've got practically no income and Williams isn't my only soap. TopGumby makes no secret of his Old Spice collection. There are probably some people who do use it exclusively, but nonetheless, threads celebrating it shouldn't be seen as an affront to all the other great soaps out there, including vintage Williams. Williams is just a fun, inexpensive experience.


I always take exception to the idea that modern Williams soap is "steeped in tradition", "a good old fashioned soap", etc. It is not. It is a byproduct of corporate buy-outs and maximizing profits.

It is still riding the coattails of what previously had been a very, very good soap (vintage Williams, that is).

Ivory bath soap also is a tallow based product, but is not so great as a shave soap.

I am obviously firmly in the "I hate modern Willaims" camp, as is Michiganlover. That is why I put him first on the list to try out the truly good old stuff, and even the most ardent Williams hater must admit the old stuff was really good.

The new stuff is not.

It can apparently be made to work (I've never been so blessed after multiple tries). But to think that when using it you are using a "classic" soap is delusion (delusion isn't all bad though!:001_cool:).

Some guys may also enjoy driving an old '95 Ford Escort that you have to jump start every time you want to drive it, and it is missing 2nd gear, so that the engine lugs while accelarating and think that is the classic American car feeling, when in fact the drivetrain was manufactured by Mazda and only carries the Ford name.




BTW, I do drive a '95 Ford Escort!:001_unsur
 
I am a newb and i am really wanting to get into this what is the diff from soaps to creams? Also what are good soap, creams to use. Thanx for the help.
 
If you like Williams Mug Soap, go to Fred's. It is $0.84 a puck. Now that is cheap.Because there will be no shipping and handling.
 
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