Thread: Is Williams a lost cause?

Originally Posted by Scareface

Grating soap? Hummmmm.
I just find the need to cheese grate my soap before I use it to be rather.......odd!
The initial grater expense would cost more than the puck of soap, probably 3-4 pucks.
Kind of like the idea of buying cottage cheese and placing it under pressure, drawing out the moisture, and waiting for it to turn into cheddar cheese.
I've tried probably ten pucks of Williams over the last twenty years and have never enjoyed its qualities.

Yea, I don't like grating soap pucks either. For Arko shave sticks I just mold them into a bowl, they are soft enough to do that, for home use. With the Palmolive shave stick I just slowly heated it a bit at a time till soft enough to mold into a bowl.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, I don't like grating soap pucks either. For Arko shave sticks I just mold them into a bowl, they are soft enough to do that, for home use. With the Palmolive shave stick I just slowly heated it a bit at a time till soft enough to mold into a bowl.

Bob

I've read a couple of your quotes on Palmolive stick, along with a few other people's, and am finding it peeking my curiosity. I'll probably try it when I make a purchase from a vendor as a throw it in just to try. But, all I read about Arko just doesn't tempt me at all.

Sounds like too much water. You want a thick, creamy lather. Not a bubbly, watery one. a few drops of glycerin. add water sparingly and stir to the right lather. Williams works great as done right. Not hard at all, really.
YMMV

Originally Posted by Scareface

I've read a couple of your quotes on Palmolive stick, along with a few other people's, and am finding it peeking my curiosity. I'll probably try it when I make a purchase from a vendor as a throw it in just to try. But, all I read about Arko just doesn't tempt me at all.

Oh I don't mind Arko and it's heavy citrusy/lemony scent at all and very good easily made lather.

Bob

+1 to the Palmolive stick - I often use it as my travel soap - amazing & consistant results.

Grating? You can use a frame or box grater (a few bucks and a handy kitchen tool) the note that you don't have one already means that you have been spared from Kitchen Gadget AD (KGAD) and you are lucky. I started grating with MWF to get it to fill the dish edge to edge.

But then I have KGAD and always need to use them.

Smooth shaving...

I have no problems making a great lather with Williams but if you can't do it why not toss it. Maybe it's not for everyone. I can also make a great lather from Dove, arko, VDH, mamma bear soaps, ect. The one thing I have yet to master is shaving with just water but why force things. Just do what works for you.

As to the cost of a grater: Goodwill or a Dollar Store in the US. Thrift shops by any other name around the world. Garage sales, lawn sales, house sales, estate sales. Have never spent more than a $1.00USD for a grater. And I am not a cheapskate, just like a good bargain now and then.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

As to the cost of a grater: Goodwill or a Dollar Store in the US. Thrift shops by any other name around the world. Garage sales, lawn sales, house sales, estate sales. Have never spent more than a $1.00USD for a grater. And I am not a cheapskate, just like a good bargain now and then.

You forgot the cost of gas! If you can't walk to the point of purchase.

As for me, Williams isn't worth the time.

First off, I hope when you say "toss the Williams" you mean toss it into the shower and use it as a bath soap. It works pretty good for that, and why throw anything away? (I'm cheap like that)

Secondly, "Softened" water is not the same thing as "Soft" water. I know there will be some that argue, but many people who deal with water softeners will complain about soaps not lathering, and not rinsing clean.

I will agree that buying bottled water just to use a cheaper soap seems counter productive. Just use a soap that works with your water. I may be cheap, but I'm also practical <----- Not filled with Williams

Williams pre-soaked, with hot water,water dumped, 5-6 drops of glycerine added and a stout boar brush makes fine lather. Moisture level on the brush is important. Floppy froth, too wet; no lather, too dry.

Arko stick for face lathering is as good or better, costs less (on sale at Amazon) and is less bother. Bought a box of sticks for $1.20/ea - lifetime supply probably, quick, easy, slick. Plus you get the funny smell and the smiling little not-very-turkish guy on each label. With Williams you get a puck in a box with, IIRC, a bit of puck artwork.