Thread: Williams shave soap ????????????

For years, I didn't know any other shave soap existed. I never looked, until I got into st8's. All I had was Williams. It served me well, now I'm spoiled. I do have some Vintage Williams unopened, I think it's 12 pucks or so all wrapped up....I'm not sure how old it is.

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

Williams soap requires a LOOOT of water and whipping. Most of the soaps we all use take a sparing amount of water, but Williams needs lots. Also, it needs more and more vigorous whipping. It will produce an acceptable lather, but I don't think it's worth the trouble.

On the other hand, the Van Der Hagen soap sold at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS pharmacy, etc. for $2 a puck is surprisingly good in my experience. Way better than i expected for that price, and it comes in a reclosable plastic blister pack that is pretty good for travel.

I would admit I'm hyper sensitive to some smells. Van Der Hagen is the only soap to date that smelled so strong in a cheap cologne sort of way to me right out of its little blister pack that I didn't have to shave with it; I could taste it. That was enough. I chucked it without even a shave.

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

I would admit I'm hyper sensitive to some smells. Van Der Hagen is the only soap to date that smelled so strong in a cheap cologne sort of way to me right out of its little blister pack that I didn't have to shave with it; I could taste it. That was enough. I chucked it without even a shave.

Chris L

Chris,

You're not 'sposed to apply it onto your face, not into yer face. Hope this helps yer Van Der Hagen dilemma.


Help, that's what we're here for, doncha know

Personally, I love the smell of Williams. Too bad the soap sucks.

I like that VDH soap but I don't use it a lot... I guess because I have others that I like more. I bought a puck of Williams this morning because of all the chatter. I haven't used it yet but I suppose I will give it a whirl on the next shave.

I went to the drug store last week to purchase Williams to try it out. I smelled it at the store and I quickly then decided to not buy it! I thought the smell was terrible. But to each his own.

My favourite cheap soap is from 'Vergulde hand', translated as 'Gold-plated hand'. Nice lather, easy whipping, good moisturizing, smooth and nothing fancy. It hasn't got a strong smell also. Sells for about €1.50 a puck, that is about $100 or so.

Originally Posted by Strato

My favourite cheap soap is from 'Vergulde hand', translated as 'Gold-plated hand'. Nice lather, easy whipping, good moisturizing, smooth and nothing fancy. It hasn't got a strong smell also. Sells for about €1.50 a puck, that is about $100 or so.

Vergulde hand is not so good. Dries quickly. Not so smooth lather enz

Try a better soap, and you will see that everything goes better. shave better, tastier and Smoot lather
Ok ... it costs a bit more.

Originally Posted by kalerolf

Vergulde hand is not so good. Dries quickly. Not so smooth lather enz

Try a better soap, and you will see that everything goes better. shave better, tastier and Smoot lather
Ok ... it costs a bit more.

I said my favourite cheap soap, that does not imply that I do not have any other. If it dries fast you are not using enough water. This soap indeed needs quite a lot of water. The performance is as any other without the fancy stuff.

so i purchased a puck of williams yesterday.. i hadn't used it in years.. but i gotta say.. i built a great lather with my wee scot... then i tried my vdh.. not so good.. then i did the bodyshop synthetic.. also really good lather.. i think i may just keep williams in rotation.. smells a little soapy and for some reason makes me want to wear aqua velva instead of old spice.