Yup.
Williams did not really clarify why they discontinued the soap last year. See the link below for their response to my inquiry on the topic. Too bad, it was a great soap that was available for 99 cents at our local grocery store. Last of the "old school" shaving soaps sold in stores. It's for sale at over $30 a puck now on Amazon and $20 - $45 on Ebay. Perhaps by next year we can trade them 1:1 for MdC
www.badgerandblade.com
It's something I wish I'd stocked up on!Williams did not really clarify why they discontinued the soap last year. See the link below for their response to my inquiry on the topic. Too bad, it was a great soap that was available for 99 cents at our local grocery store. Last of the "old school" shaving soaps sold in stores. It's for sale at over $30 a puck now on Amazon and $20 - $45 on Ebay. Perhaps by next year we can trade them 1:1 for MdC
If kept in an open mug, that this soap is intended for, the scent dissipates over a few days. I get great lather from Williams with my boar brush. Glad I still have a few on hand. Closest "old school" soap still available now is Arko though that needs to be purchased on-line.
Post #657 Combe Email Confirming Williams Mug Shave Soap Discontinued
Yikes! My 93yo grandfather has been using Williams for pretty well his whole life. Glad we ordered him a few pucks not long ago! my moms father still uses it today at 88 years old buys it locally i buy sometimes locally as well
My Van Der Williams blends are as good or better than any of my commercial pucks from a core shaving performance perspective. Have posted on my experiments with different rations and the addition of other ingredients. Adding small amounts of other superlathering ingredients, such as Dove Men + Care and Proraso, along with small amounts of Ivory for added slickness really enhance the blend performance. Arko works as a substitute for now unobtainium Williams.
I've used a plain puck of Williams straight out of the box just wetting the face and rubbing it straight on like a shave stick. The trick is to not use too little or too much water; too little and not enough soap transfers to your face to lather with, and too much and it just slides around and transfers too little to lather. Once you dial it in, you'll get a good lather for at least two passes (I usually only do two passes). Not to stray off topic, but I have a cracked and desiccated puck of SeaForth! from probably the late 40s, early 50s that will still lather, it just takes a little more water and when lathered, the lather has a slight yellowish tinge making me wonder if there is some clay mixed in with the tallow mixture. Either way, the lather produced is like modern Williams, only a bit more billowy (still need to try it as a shave stick). Maybe I'll grate the SeaForth in with the "Van Der Williams" for a "Van Der Williams Sea IV."
I believe that most shaving soaps will produce good lather if you adjust your lathering technique as needed. Suspect that many who have challenges lathering certain soaps don't do that. For example trying to lather a hard puck in the same way as a softer artisan soap. @EclipseRedRing , who really focuses on vintage soaps, has also had lots of success with older shaving products and may be familiar with what you have experienced with your SeaForth.
www.badgerandblade.com
To put it bluntly, it's crap compared to 99.4% of the soaps on the market today
See my post via the link below regarding a good way to get great results from Williams when you are ready to try it.
www.badgerandblade.com
Hi Deano, absolutely. It's all about loading enough product to generate the desired lather. Williams is my hardest puck and also has a relatively small diameter compared to most of my other soaps to a stiff brush and sufficient loading time are required. Those that try to lather it in similar fashion to softer artisan woaps with a 15-20 second load and a soft brush will be disappointed.
Yes I also have 6 or 8 pucks put back. Im a boar guy so that may be part of the reason l find it easier to use.
