I have used the Williams and Colgate and other brands even Hess from the 60s on until this day. the lather would be thin and I would shave and go on to what ever I was going to do. the secret for me was to watch Lynn's video and take my time. the lather kept getting better with any of the soaps I used. I now use mostly the SRD sweet patchouli and the sandalwood and on a rare occasion I still use the Williams. I do get far better lather now than in the earlier years and with better lather comes better shaves. Now i'm not leaving out using the razor right. angle pressure and all but good lather helps a lot.