New Old Stock Burma Soap

Discussion in 'Shave Soaps' started by Knox, Jun 23, 2017.

  1. Knox

    Knox Well-Known Member

    I am now in the possession of a New Old Stock Burma shave gift set in a tin. Mug, brush (in plastic), and soap.

    The soap was REALLY dry - almost to the point of crumbling. A little water and saran wrap it came back to life, somewhat.

    So the question is - do I just keep the soap as a keep sake, knowing it will dry out and crumble eventually? Or do I enjoy shaving with it, and just have the soap box as part of the set for my display?

    What would you do?

    Granted, I didn't pay THAT much for it. About $22 off eBay (maybe someone on here sold it?)

    Thanks for your input!
     
  2. wchnu

    wchnu Duck Season!

    I shave with mine. It is not that big of a deal as a soap. The original Burma Shave was brushless. This soap took the name after a buy out I think. It's not a bad soap but not like old spice or vintage Williams as far as keeping.
     
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  3. Knox

    Knox Well-Known Member

    That's what I thought - I was surprised it even HAD a brush and soap. All the old Burma ads I have seen were for brushless soap / cream.

    Thanks for the input.
     
  4. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Now that it's hydrated give it a sniff. The tallow in vintage soap can go rancid. If it smells OK give it a go!
    I have enjoyed many lathers from a stick of vintage Williams soap. It was partially used, so I peeled back the foil wrapper and removed any signs of the unknown previous user.
     
  5. Knox

    Knox Well-Known Member

    Really good shave from the puck, I must say. Not much scent left at all, if any.

    (And, off topic, I am really liking my Williams Mug soap as well. I don't understand why people can't get a good shave from it - aside from maybe their water is too hard. )

    Arko and Williams - Love them both. If Burma still made this, and it was as cheap as those 2 - I would add it to my rotation.

    Sorry for the yellow picture - don't know what happened here:

    [​IMG]

    Simple and cheap Boar bristle brush and my trusty Blue Tip with Gillette Silver Blue Blades:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
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  6. Yehuda D

    Yehuda D Israeli Ambassador to TSD

    My neighbor was saying the Burma soap was usable but not much better than that.
     
  7. Knox

    Knox Well-Known Member

    I am not a lather guru at all - I spend maybe 30-45 seconds whipping it up no matter what I use. I was surprised how well it worked, especially with how dry it was when I opened it up the other day.
     
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  8. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    That may be what "saved" the soap. Milled, triple milled, quintuple milled products have the moisture pressed out of them. It can aid in the longevity of a product. That's why vegetables, spices, & fish are dried and hams smoked. Less water means less bacterial and fungus growth. It also makes for a thirsty soap and that's a good thing. You are buying more product with less water.
    Hint; check ingredients between soap pucks and creams. Creams usually contain a preservative because of the added moisture.
     
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  9. wchnu

    wchnu Duck Season!

    Williams love is never off topic my good man. Check out Williams Wednesday, and the Shave With Williams Mug soap thread .:cool: If you would like to try a big ole Omega 49 boar let me know. I have one to PIF. It loves the soaps you love!
    It's great the Burma shave did you good. If you want a little scent put a few drops of your after shave of the day on the soap cake while you build ye ole lather.

    Proceed along the path!!
     
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  10. Knox

    Knox Well-Known Member

    Had no idea about those topics. I will definitely check them out. I pm'd you about the brush. Thanks! Coincidentally, I just got 5 new Williams pucks in today from eBay. I am set on soaps for about 2 years between those and my Arko sticks...
     
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  11. wchnu

    wchnu Duck Season!

    Awesome!! I will get the Omega 49 out Monday I hope.
     
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  12. Masonjarjar

    Masonjarjar Active Member

    back in the 90's I'd rotate between Williams, Colgate and Burma. They were all available. Colgate and Burma eventually disappeared.
     
  13. wchnu

    wchnu Duck Season!

    I have 7-8 cakes of colgate. Some mug soap some barbershop. The colgate is solid...very solid. I only have a few of burma shave. It's not a bad soap either. I think either of them are better soaps then old spice.
     

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