Thread: Williams Shaving Soap History

I never had any trouble lathering the Williams, actually i find it kinda easy and the lather is great!, i do use glycerin with it. No problem with lather drying on my face either! but that said i have no idea of the vintage of my pucks.


Zib what are you going to do with all those pucks?

I wonder if soft water causes problems with Williams. I live in a rural area with hard water and I've never had trouble with getting good lather or having it dry out.

I've never had luck with Williams but after reading this thread I gave the puck a go again today.

I knew it required a ton of water but the amount I used today was ridiculous and it finally made decent lather that didn't dry out. I'm thinking I'll try it again with even more water to see if that helps it.

I'm talking the mug was full of water while showering then I drained it out, then I used a stiff badger brush that had been soaking but didn't shake the excess off. After a few minutes of face lathering it was ok...not great.

Hoping I find the magic ratio

Originally Posted by HNSB

I wonder if soft water causes problems with Williams. I live in a rural area with hard water and I've never had trouble with getting good lather or having it dry out.

Naw, we have soft water and no problem getting it to lather.

Bob

Originally Posted by Martin103

I never had any trouble lathering the Williams, actually i find it kinda easy and the lather is great!, i do use glycerin with it. No problem with lather drying on my face either! but that said i have no idea of the vintage of my pucks.


Zib what are you going to do with all those pucks?

I'm not sure, On one hand I'm curious, and on the other, I don't want to open it.

BTW, I have a water softener, and have no trouble getting it to lather. I did however, have trouble with VDH.

Wasnt aware that Williams also made Aqua Velva and Lectric shave.

I picked up these 5 pucks of William's at an antique store yesterday in a bundle package of 4 pristine straights all for $50.00 I was pretty happy with the buy. As I tried to date the soap I found this thread. I haven't seen any other pictures with this same packaging yet so thought I'd post it. Based on the OP these were made between 1885 And 1960 When the company was located in Glastonbury, Conn. Anyone have any closer estimates?

Now that is a great find those 5 pucks of vintage Williams. They should whip up a nice lather for you, enjoy.

Bob

Sadly the Williams Soap has been discontinued, time to stock up.

Today i bought a puck of Williams that on the inner package has an advertisement for a mug that celebrates the U.S. Bicentennial. That makes it around 1976.

Martin says the company was sold to Nabisco in 1971. Does this make this the new formula?

If so dang but OH well it was cheap.