Thread: william's mug soap

does anyone else use Williams soap? I use it and I love it, it smells awesome (reminds me of granps), it seems to have the perfect sticky/slick ratio for it to stick good but allow the blade to pass very smoothly ( i even have a tendency to push extra hard sometimes by my jaw line cause my hair there is extra thick, and i never get irritation!), but the only problem I've found is that sometimes i have to lather up a few times because by the time i get the second side of my face done, the first is almost non-existent. But usually if I just lather up a little more vigorously in the mug, the second time i pass over my face it stays just fine. So I guess what I'm asking is, anyone have any input on this product and their experience with it (or any other mug soaps)?

i have been using the williams soap for ~3weeks or so...... found a tip someone on here said about heating up the cup and the puck.... so i run the sink full of HOT water while i put preshave oil... and put HOT water in on top of the puck.... then i pour the water out of the cup and wet the brush...

i found with this method that it makes a very creamy lather... but you are right about shaving one side of the face and the other side is dry...lol....

Williams used to be good before they changed the formula decades ago..now, not so much imo. It dries out and isn't thick like it was.

What do you recommend?

Whatever you like...
I love tabac, its cheap. I also love cella...
I wasn't saying you shouldn't use williams if you like it. I just think its a common mistake to think the williams used in the old days is the williams now, its not its a different soap.

I use Williams regularly in my soap rotation. If you know how to lather it well, it works for what it's made for.

If you're looking to try other soaps check out DR Harris. The lather quality is fantastic.
If you're on a tighter budget, check out Bairlea Farm soap; it's on par with DR Harris and costs much less.

I got a puck of vintage Williams at an antique store. As soon as I finish my current puck, that one will go in my Williams bowl. I am excited to try the old stuff.

I've used Williams for a number of years and in fact started with it about 18 years ago but use it only infrequently due to the disappearing act. Even now, if I use it, I add a few drops of glycerin to it.

I use Williams often. The smell is great, the glide and cushion is good. I shave both cheeks fairly quickly, then relather for the rest and subsequent passes. I lather right on the puck and there is always mounds of available lather. It will dry out, but for $1.49 a puck I can live with it.

Sometimes I use a daub of Bigelow in the cup - just for kicks. The lather last a bit longer that way.

I gave Williams a try, it wasn't do much that there was anything wrong with it, there were just too many better soaps to try. I rarely reach for it now, but if you like it more power to you!

Originally Posted by tjdoyle

What do you recommend?

I have to admit nothing smells like Williams. I love it. But I can't get past the short life span of the lather. An alternative in the same price range as Williams is the stuff they sell at Wal-Mart. VHD is the brand. Its cheap, it lathers up fine and lasts the whole shave. However, it is odorless. There's literally no smell at all. Which is more important to you in your daily shave? You decide.