I just had my first Williams Mug shave. It was Fantastic! My wife spent $1.50 for a puck and I got a better shave than my first shave with the $18.00 C&E Nomad (and that with a 20% discount). In fact, I have had to use it 3 times before the smell was bearable to her. Liked it in the dish, not on me. If Williams was the only soap in the world, DE shaving would not die. Not by a long shot my friends. I am sitting here faceturbating for all of you and must say it has left my face soft, and a little tight. I put it in a coffee cup, ran hot water on it, realized I had too much, poured it out and put a small amount on the top. Took a shower, and with my only brush, a $5 VDH boar, hit that soap and was very pleased with the lather, not thin or runny. On my last pass I decided to leave it on while I rinsed my mug, brush, and sink. The lather did not die. I join Dave when I say: Please try Williams, please.
I have had a stack of Williams in a closet for months, gave several away, but I have yet to try it. I will give it a go tomorrow.
For lather alone, Van der Hagen Select. Costs $2. If a soap can't provide lather at least this good, it's a non-starter. For lather and scent, Honeybee Spa soap. Eucalyptus in particular. A whopping $4/puck keeps my skin and sinuses happy. For me, Williams is a terrific shower soap, but I wouldn't want to shave with it. (Yes, I've heard that if used correctly, it provides decent lather, but life's too short to waste on working the soap -- it should work for you.) And Tabac's 'scent' gives me the willies. Smells like Grandma on a bender.
Tried some VDH Glycerin and wasn't impressed, so I think I might have discounted the Williams as a result of my distaste for Drugstore shaving products. For the cheap price, I may pick up a puck of Williams from CVS tomorrow.
Well, I have a few benchmarks, depending upon my mood: Penhaligon's English Fern D.R. Harris: Almond or Lavender Trumper: Rose, Limes and Sandalwood Institut Karite, MWF and Valobra stick are also solid performers. Hmm...looks like I have a lot of "benchmarks..."
What JimR said. +1 I wouldn't discount all the VdH stuff -- I recall reading that some folks have had issues with VdH Glycerin lathering. I know that I have issues with Conk's lathering, and my understanding is that VdH makes Conk. That said, I found VdH Select (not glycerin) to be a solid performer. Gotta find a puck of VdH Deluxe to try.
Pre above Tabac? Hmm....I have a puck coming soon. I enjoyed my sample quite a bit. This could be a fun shoot out! I also use the heck out of my puck of Institut Karite - I had a hard time choosing between the two for my #1 benchmark...
Truckman, I have really taken a shine to the PdP. It has provided me with some spectacular shaves. Still loves me some Tabac but I have relegated it to #2. Which is still not too shabby.
I judge every soap against Yardley gentleman's lavender. Looks like I should try some Tabac and Williams.