Thread: Williams Shaving Soap 40 years Later

Originally Posted by HNSB

How I lather my Williams:

• Put water on top of puck
• Soak brush for a few minutes
• Drain most of the water from the puck
• Whip lather
• Face lather with that - let it sit for about a minute, massage it in to beard
• RE-WHIP LATHER IN BOWL (this is the critical part - let your Williams stand for a few minutes after the initial lather, then re-whip it)
• Apply lather to face, as normal
• Enjoy a good shave

Alright, this is going to sound like a basic question but I want to try and recreate exactly...

...are you shaking some of the excess water from brush?

...when re-lathering are you wetting your face or leaving as is from first pass?

Sorry for the step by step questions, you did a great job explaining. This soap just has me stumped

Originally Posted by ZeroCool

Alright I'm starting to think you guys are pulling my leg lol

Soaked the puck in a mug for 5 minutes, cold water, not sure if this is a factor. Grabbed a Turkish horse hair brush since its got a bit more backbone but still a little soft to the feel. Drained the water and gave the brush a few shakes, worked up what looked like a decent lather in the mug.

When I went to face lather, it was thin and never really got thick and fluffy. Then it starting drying before I could bring the razor to my face. I added a few drops of water and repeated lathering. This went on for 15 minutes.

Now I should mention I have never had trouble getting any soap to whip up well (with the exception of TOBS traditional).

It's looking like it'll be a long week of trying lol

PS....Sharpton, I tried the glycerine about half way through, helped a bit but still not great.

I would like Williams to work for me, but it doesn't and it's not worth it any more experimentation.

This is what I got for a substitute.

It is inexpensive, without exaggeration works as well as any cream I have ever used, and it has a very pleasant lemon scent. I read one review from someone that thought it smelled like a lemon cleaner, to which I disagree. It has a better lemon scent than Palmolive and is less expensive. Plenty of rich lather.

I don't want to become a Williams basher, and I have participated on forums where it has been a polarizing issue, but I am disappointed with the hit and miss results I have experienced personally and have found an easier way to get my lemon fix.

JimmyHAD, if you want a few Williams pucks I have, just holler.

Cali,

I agree, for some of us it just doesn't come easy.

I've got more soaps and creams to last me years but the challenge of the Williams is what intrigues me.

There's so many people saying it works and they love it. Now I know it's not going to replace any of my other soaps but I determined to make it work

Yes, letting it sit for a bit gets the bubbles out and it works better. I found this out as the last pass had the best lather. Also, if you start out with too much water, you will have a hard time getting it right. I never start with a wet brush as the puck is damp to begin with. As I need more, I dip the tips in water and stir some more. As you learn, it is easy to do!

Originally Posted by ZeroCool

...are you shaking some of the excess water from brush?

Yes. I shake the brush out. If the lather is too dry, then I dip my brush in water and add a little more.

Originally Posted by ZeroCool

...when re-lathering are you wetting your face or leaving as is from first pass?

I wipe my face with a towel between passes, and then apply the lather. I do not put water on my face after the first pass.
For the first pass, I wet my face and then apply the runny lather and massage it in. I do not wipe that off before applying the re-whipped thick lather.

I had no problems whipping up a nice lather with the Williams .. It's a great soap for the money but the smell ... Ugghhh reminds me of a port a pottie..

An Airport Copper Would know about that! Yes, Williams has a generic smell, for certain!
I like to Uuber with it as it does not seem to take away from, nor conflict with other fragrances and seems to get along with other soaps in that regard, so to speak. I am not much on overpowering scents, so it does not bother me

Ill try mayb using it to make a über lather..

As stated above, I load with a less wet/dryish hot brush , not light but thick load, then add water for initial lather. A lather Resting time seems to be needed for a more luscious lather. A good use of time for stropping for me. For me anyway. Of course a little glycerin don't ever hurt if desired, but isin't required if I load a little heavy.

Alright, made some progress today...not great but I'm on the right track. Much thicker, even more so by the 3rd pass. Still tends to dry quicker then I'm used to but I'll keep trying.

Maybe tomorrow ill try hot water instead of cold.