Does anyone have any idea how old this might be? I'm told Williams soap of a certain age is pretty good. This one smells very stale, almost dusty.

With that mug offer, I'd say in the 1970's. That was before a lot of the reformulations so I think you'll be very happy with it.

The outer surface may be oxidized since the packaging wasn't meant to protect the product for this long. I have a puck of Colgate about the same age. It didn't lather well until I grated it and pressed into an Old Spice mug. Much better lather and some of the scent survived from inside the dried skin. Also have a shave stick of vintage Williams - great lather with all the good attributes except for faded scent.

Is that what others would suggest...grating it?

Not Williams, but I have a puck of Klar shave soap that was made in West Germany that is over 35 years old and it's one of my favorite soaps. It still lathers well and I'd say use the Williams as is and see what happens.

That's the bicentennial mug, yes? 1976 or thereabout.

https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/the-vintage-williams-project.45842/

@wchnu

Grate it and shave with it...then step up your game and buy Stirling soap products.

Just rehydrate it for a few minutes in some water. No need to grate it. Vintage Williams makes awesome lather.

Clayton

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I have the entire Lemon Chill line waiting for slightly warmer weather.

Ok. Suggestions for lathering Williams?

Stiff backboned boar brush. Soak for 5 minutes. Squeeze 95% of the water out.
Load brush for a solid minute.
Begin to apply to the face, getting a thick paste started. Slowly add water to the mixture. Dip the tips of the brush in the water, always err on the side of less water.

Also, you can simply wet your face, and use Willis as a shave stick. Run over the face, every so often dipping the puck into the water, then face lather with a stiff backboned boar brush.

It ain't rocket science, it's just shaving!

I know it isn't rocket science, but every soap reacts differently, and I'm not familiar with Williams.

Cold water. Just wet your brush, shake it off, and load it for 20 seconds. Then, build your lather on your face. If that doesn't work for you, just send it to me. HA!

I am going to recommend again, @GDCarrington 's The Vintage Williams Project. I have done it three times and the results are astounding.

It was meant to be tounge in cheek response.

Ah. I missed that. Humor doesn't also translate well in messaging.

Hence my reply. No worries at all my friend.

That is vintage. No need to do anything special. Don't bother grating it. Use a damp boar brush right on top of the cake.(no blooming) load the soap into a paste then straight to face lathering. (No bowl) Add water a little at a time by dipping just the tips of the brush. The lather will be awesome. I have several vintage williams videos on my you tube.