Thread: Williams Shaving Soap 40 years Later

I am a Williams fan, and I have some great soaps and creams, and for me, Williams is just as good. I get a great lather from Williams, and I don't add anything but water and the use of my brush, and I don't put any water on the puck. I face lather, and keep adding water to the brush as I build an awesome lather on my face that does not dry and gives me a good shave with a straight. Williams is good stuff.

Now, we are blessed in that our water comes straight from the snow melt of the Sierras, and as far as I can tell, it is not hard, but good and pure. Pixelfixed, you should have the same water, unless they do something different in Roseville.

Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

I am a Williams fan, and I have some great soaps and creams, and for me, Williams is just as good. I get a great lather from Williams, and I don't add anything but water and the use of my brush, and I don't put any water on the puck. I face lather, and keep adding water to the brush as I build an awesome lather on my face that does not dry and gives me a good shave with a straight. Williams is good stuff.

Now, we are blessed in that our water comes straight from the snow melt of the Sierras, and as far as I can tell, it is not hard, but good and pure. Pixelfixed, you should have the same water, unless they do something different in Roseville.

What snow?? in all fairness, the old williams was great stuff,very high tallow content.
Think I may pick up a puck of the new just for grins.

Y'know I was expecting to be disappointed. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. So this morning I googled the ingredients. The first listed is potassium stearate, an emulsifier among other things. Next, in order of volume, sodium tallowate, the famous 'animal fat' ingredient that many of the celebrated British soaps stopped using years ago. To the detriment of the product as far as many are concerned. Still a big part of the current Williams.

Next comes sodium chocoate, a derivative of coconut oil widely used in making soap. Next is water and would you believe it ......... glycerine. I won't bore you with the rest because I got tired of googling/linking and I don't think it matters that much.

I will say that in the spirit of my avatar, I'm just telling it like it is for me. The fact that some folks enjoy Williams while others can't get a decent lather with it just shows the YMMV nature of our sport.

Mo Glycerine, Mo Betta! I love to Uber other soaps (particularly Proraso!) with the stuff! It lives in my mug!