As Steve said it's really a YMMV for eveyone. I have very soft water because it goes through a water softener and a reverse osmosis system and I believe this really helps with all soaps. I can get the modern version of Williams to lather just fine, and I actually kind of like the scent. I grate the pucks into the Ziploc containers and I would guess the scent would dissipate if it was left open for awhile but it doesn't bother me. While I like the modern version I do believe the vintage stuff is better. On the vintage boxes that have the ingredients list they show tallow or sodium tallowate as the first ingredient while the modern Combe version lists it second. I use one of the vintage Williams pucks 5-6 days a week, and something "modern" the other day or two because it really is my favorite soap.
MWF is very picky about lathering (look who`s talking :happy102 ).IMHO, you should first answer what price would you pay, are you scent-addicted, and are you ready to improvise, adapt and overcome.What I mean is that you probably will get MANY soaps and creams anyway, even if you are on tight budget like me.I found the reviews at this forum intresting, check them out.What your skin likes, what makes it feel good is unbelievably different, so YMMV.Start with soaps that are reported to lather very easily and forgiving about soap / water ration, and start with the lower priced ones, this is what I would recommend, maybe Arko, Speick, Wilkinson sword stick.
Time to update the photo! I found a puck of the Williams Mentholated soap this afternoon for only $2 at an antique store. It came from the Cranford N.J. plant, no ingredients list and it has the original store price sticker of $.15 still on it. No scent left, if it ever had any, and unlike others I've found the wrapper isn't stuck to the puck. I will definitely use it someday but I may wait until I find another one as a backup.
Yes and Yes. I love the stuff. The modern stuff. I've never had the opportunity to sample the vintage stuff. But besides genuinely loving Williams, the one thing about it that makes it extra special for me is, that sometimes the mere mention of it is enough to get the confirmed Williams haters into a lather. So to speak.
Sometimes I think that this forum could be renamed "The Shave Den - YMMV" - as that really applies to virtually every facet of what we discuss here - especially threads that ask about "What is the best XXXXX" etc. But it's all good, and all the different points of view are what makes it so endlessly fascinating.
I'm a HUGE fan of L'Occitane shave soap, it's what switched me over the soap from creams. If you want cheap to try Col Conk smells good, lathers easily, works well, and costs little. try the lime.
Yeah! Fere shere Ya'll! Also- TSD soaps are great performers and there is a scent a available to suit everyone's preference!
Favorite Lather is MWF Best smelling(at this moment in time) Mama Bear Ye Olde Barbershoppe I face lather currently
MWF works good for me, as does Tabac. But right now I am rotating williams (and have never been fortunate enough to score the vintate) and Arko. These both lather like crazy for me, and the local hard water does not seem to interfere. Other non tallow soaps have worked fine also, like cade and george trumper coconut. But right not there does not seem to be anything wrong with these two low dollar soaps. For variety I splash a little Masters bay rum on the soap before working up the lather.
The best soap I've used by far is Mama Bear's. Some people don't like glycerine soaps, and still like MB. You touch a brush to it and it explodes with lather. I don't think I've ever had a bad shave using Mama Bear's soap. As far as tallow soaps go, try Tabac. MWF is good if you can get the lather right.
What do you all think of the Proraso soap? Is it as compliant as the cream? I love the cream, plus it's affordable and Bath and Body Works under the C.O. Bigelow brand. Thoughts? I'd love to know!
I love the Proraso soap. It is in my regular rotation and gets used at least three times per week. It's my second favorite next to MWF. I use the one in the green tub. I love the smell and it makes a nice lather.
Johnny - Thanks! I am certainly wanting to try the Proraso soap. Is it similar in scent to the cream? That is probably one of my favorite scents - even though it's supposedly unscented.
What about The Art of Shaving soap? It seems that AOS gets a bad rap, but I liked the cream in the past. Realistically, I'd like something not too expensive, but that works well.
Is there a noticeable difference between the soaps from the different plants? I noticed you have one of each going now. Also, have you tried the Williams Mug Menthol? Always been curious to try it. Also, since everyone is on the MWF bandwagon here, I have to say I don't like the stuff. My lather was either too dry, or too watery. I had a really hard time hitting the sweet spot with it. I don't know if it was our water, or just lack of patience with it. My soap of choice is TSD.