Williams mug soap review from an Old Timer

[FL shaver]

In my daily travels I occasionally come across a wet shaver who uses shaving soap. I recently purchased a bunch of Arko to share with these guys. This week I gave away 2 sticks; one to a guy who uses Williams exclusively, and a second to a guy who has used Vermont Country Store's soap but currently has a puck of Williams in his scuttle. The first guy obviously likes it, since he has used it for years, but it was the second guy's opinion that had me smiling. He said that he has never had a soap lather better! "A couple or three swirls and I've got a good lather."

Two unsolicited Williams testimonials!! They will love the Arko stick!!

 

[talibeard]

Two unsolicited Williams testimonials!! They will love the Arko stick!!

Of course; I think 90% users of any soap and not allergic to Arko's scent will not have come across a better soap.

Most unfair trick you played there, sir!!

 

[Seraphim]

Williams certainly gives the impression of lathering well, however, if you look closer you will see that it is not so much lathering, as foaming. Copious amounts of airy, bubbly, foam that quickly dissapears. It most closely resembles the foam you get when washing dishes in the kitchen sink.

But, aside from that, it truly is the most fantastic and best performing soap since Yardley's went out of business.

 

[timsclips]

Williams certainly gives the impression of lathering well, however, if you look closer you will see that it is not so much lathering, as foaming. Copious amounts of airy, bubbly, foam that quickly dissapears. It most closely resembles the foam you get when washing dishes in the kitchen sink.

I also get the foamy lather on working with Williams but I have learned to not stop there. Continue working with it and the result will be a very nice thick lather, but it does take a while for me to get there.

 

[talibeard]

I also get the foamy lather on working with Williams but I have learned to not stop there. Continue working with it and the result will be a very nice thick lather, but it does take a while for me to get there.

That is my experience as well, for Williams the time factor is crucial.

Williams, not for everyone.

 

[FL shaver]

Of course; I think 90% users of any soap and not allergic to Arko's scent will not have come across a better soap.

Most unfair trick you played there, sir!!

I will admit that their experience with quality shaving soaps seems limited, however, neither threats nor force were used to elicite these testimonials. Both gentlemen reside in FL, where the water is commonly called hard, but they have had no problem developing a useable lather. They were both quite enthusiastic in their endorsements!

Anyway, just made me smile thinking about B&B as they described their experiences with the stuff.

 

[talibeard]

They were both quite enthusiastic in their endorsements!

Anyway, just made me smile thinking about B&B as they described their experiences with the stuff.

And rightly so. It is just that I recently discovered Williams as a nice shaving soap that I felt the need defending it. I think Arko is all in all my fav soap so I can hardly attack on that one...

So Williams made it to my top 10 with (relative) ease but is certainly behind Arko. Just like EU-Palmolive, Tabac and Irisch Moos....(btw Williams ended above those last two)

 

[Topgumby]

Pshaw.

An Old Timer can't be reviewing Williams, since it's common knowledge around here that even casual contact with the stuff leads to an early, untimely and stubbly grave, brought about by the vapid lather and the way Williams unbalances the essential bodily humors.

 

[FL shaver]

Mid 70s and 80 plus - I've seen their medical records! They do move a little slowly, though...

 

[goby]

That is my experience as well, for Williams the time factor is crucial.

Williams, not for everyone.

You must have been rushed when you post. Let me correct your error:

Williams, not for anyone.

 

[jkenton]

Pshaw.

An Old Timer can't be reviewing Williams, since it's common knowledge around here that even casual contact with the stuff leads to an early, untimely and stubbly grave, brought about by the vapid lather and the way Williams unbalances the essential bodily humors.

QUICK! I must away to my secret containers of phlogiston!

 

[SliceOfLife]

Williams certainly gives the impression of lathering well, however, if you look closer you will see that it is not so much lathering, as foaming. Copious amounts of airy, bubbly, foam that quickly dissapears. It most closely resembles the foam you get when washing dishes in the kitchen sink.

But, aside from that, it truly is the most fantastic and best performing soap since Yardley's went out of business.

You'd be surprised how little people demand from a shaving soap. I try soaps that experienced people here love on a regular basis because I just can't believe they were as mediocre as I remember. And every time, I am reminded that I require way, way better lather than those people. Then I pick up one of my daily soaps to finish off what starts as a terrible shave and go "Oh yeah, now that's shaving lather." Believe it or not, some people PREFER airy, thin lather that is more for looks than function. For me, I'd rather shave with water than that sort of lather.

 

[Alacrity59]

A little too much water splashed into my bowl as I was working on my Proraso lather this morning. So I dipped into my almost finished . . . sliver like puck of Williams to remedy the situation. I had a wonderful shave.

I find it hard to credit the malarkey that is repeated here by the three or four people who can't admit that Williams works for hundreds of thousands of people wet shaving. There are so many people here taking half an hour or more to shave . . . I can't figure how the extra minute to achieve a good Williams lather would be a significant hardship.


So . . . carry on.

 

[mharris127]

Williams works OK for me, although I do prefer Van Der Hagen (and just ordered five pucks of it tonight). The only reason I tried Williams is that I found two pucks for 99 cents each at the grocery store and had to see if it was as bad as its reputation here. It is not that bad in my opinion -- just not the best I have ever used, that is all. I haven't used old Williams in so many years (if ever) that I can't say whether there is truly a difference.

 

[FL shaver]

...I find it hard to credit the malarkey that is repeated here by the three or four people who can't admit that Williams works for hundreds of thousands of people wet shaving. There are so many people here taking half an hour or more to shave . . . I can't figure how the extra minute to achieve a good Williams lather would be a significant hardship...

There has to be a reason I see it disappearing from the shelves of my local grocery and drug stores! It strikes me odd, though, that I have been aware of the stuff for about 5 years but these are the first guys who I have found who use it, never mind really like it.

 

[Seraphim]

You'd be surprised how little people demand from a shaving soap. I try soaps that experienced people here love on a regular basis because I just can't believe they were as mediocre as I remember. And every time, I am reminded that I require way, way better lather than those people. Then I pick up one of my daily soaps to finish off what starts as a terrible shave and go "Oh yeah, now that's shaving lather." Believe it or not, some people PREFER airy, thin lather that is more for looks than function. For me, I'd rather shave with water than that sort of lather.

Exactly.

Oprah is remarkably popular, so is Dr. Phil, American Idle, and a host of other mediocrities at best.

Many thousands of men happily shave with goo in a can. Should I therefore sing it's praises as well? Should I drink the Williamstown koolaid and fall in line with the crowd? Aquire the blank Stepford wives-esque stare whilst repeating the mantra "Williams is pretty good, which is good enough for me...."

NO! I shall not go quietly into that quickly evaporating, weeper filled good night. I shall stand, shoulder to shoulder with my " three or four" other men of reknown, who are obviously gentlemen of class, good character, and possesing a high degree of intestinal fortitude, and a dash of joie de vivre. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...Never in the field of soap forum conflict was so much owed by so many to so few....

 

[goby]

Many thousands of men happily shave with goo in a can. Should I therefore sing it's praises as well? Should I drink the Williamstown koolaid and fall in line with the crowd? Aquire the blank Stepford wives-esque stare whilst repeating the mantra "Williams is pretty good, which is good enough for me...."

+1

Well said.

 

[michiganlover]

whilst repeating the mantra "Williams is pretty good, which is good enough for me...."

Williams is pretty bad, Williams is not good enough for me....Williams is horridly bad, Williams is not good enough for me......Williams is wretchedly bad, Williams is not good enough for me......

Williams is the devil's soap, and I shall sin no more.

 

[Topgumby]

Williams is the devil's soap...

Can't think of a finer endorsement, really.

 

[Seraphim]

Can't think of a finer endorsement, really.

See how red and irritated his face is? Classic tell-tale signs of a Williams shave!