Thread: South Africa Williams Shave Stick review

It's the Real McCoy all right, vintage Williams is still made in South Africa.

This is the stick, available exclusively at Shave A Buck for $12.00:



It compares favorably in size and appearance to a stick I bought on ebay, probably from the 50s or 60s:

I like shave sticks, particularly for travel, but I prefer the "push up" dispenser so I can lather with a brush. With the Williams stick, it rocks in the base so you have to peel the cellophane back and rub it on your face.

Stick wetted and rubbed on my wetted face: this is two days beard growth. If I shave every day there isn't enough stubble for much soap to stay on my face. That's why I'd prefer a "push up" dispenser and a brush.


Pass 1 lather:

Yea, it is good stuff, got a couple of sticks in SA a few years back. It is the only Williams I will use.

Bob

Pass 2 lather:


Pass 3 lather:


The rose scent is minimal, but good enough to satisfy any complaint by people who hate soapy/urinal cake smell.

All in all, it offered perfect protection, and if it were still available in the US I'd use it.

The price ($12) is obviously a reflection of the cost involved in importing from South Africa.

Thanks to Joe at Shave A Buck for making this product available. I have been dying to try a Williams version reflective of the glory days in Glastonbury, CT.

Another interesting aspect of this soap is that it does not have an ingredients list. Evidently this is not required in South Africa.

Funny thing, at the end of the shave stick it still says "J.B. Williams Co., Glastonbury, Conn." The fine print on the container says ""Manufactured for: Kiwi Brands by A.J. North (Pty) Ltd., Watt Road, Gately S201.

The finished product:

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, it is good stuff, got a couple of sticks in SA a few years back. It is the only Williams I will use.

Bob

Was it a low price or high price soap in South Africa?

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

Was it a low price or high price soap in South Africa?

Neither the boss nor I can remember but inexpensive pops into my head. Glad somebody is bringing them in to NA so people can see what our Williams should be like today.

Bob

Come to think of it, I only found it in one store the whole month over there so I don't know how common or popular it is there. Plenty of othe creams though.

Bob