Hey Guys and Gals, I don't think that I am supposed to link to active Ebay auctions so I will not, but I just found what I think is a pretty good deal on NOS Williams and Colgate soap and wanted to give everyone a heads up. The seller appears to have quite a bit so if you're interested type it into the Ebay search. Ryon
I went to the bay (even though I have sworn off it) and found the seller. I put 10 pucks in my cart and they want $70.00 for them! NO WAY!
I bought 3 pucks of Williams at $3 each and he charged $5 postage. You have to send him a message to get the combined shipping discount and he quickly complies. He had me buy as a BIN then he sent me an invoice with the correct postage discount. I am still awaiting mine should be here tomorrow.
I did the same thing, but sent a message to the seller and got him to combine shipping. I paid 28 shipped for 6 pucks. (He has since raised the price $1 per puck)
I've only ever tried the modern Williams and have never tried the Colgate Mug Soap, so I got a couple of each. I use modern Williams every so often and get a decent shave. It is slick but not a lot of cushion compared to other soaps I use. How does the vintage compare?
The only thing I can say for sure about vintage Williams is that it explodes into lather if you barely even look at it. Other than that... it may be the same as modern Williams as it pertains to performance once lathered.
Cool. Thanks. I'll give it a go and see what I think when it gets here. I never found the modern Williams all that difficult to lather, but if this easier, it cant be a bad thing. If I don't like it, I give it to my pop.
Just to update a bit I got my vintage Williams from the seller on Saturday. Using Williams expert Michiganlover's thread on another forum as a reference, this soap is Beecham Production , 1989, with Tallow listed as the first ingredient. I've shaved with it twice and its way better than current production. Lathers easily and the lather is nice, dense and creamier than the current Wms, seems to be a bit more protective as well. Only problem is the seller had these at $3 a puck the first week now he's at $5 . What happened? I seem to remember he listed 70 pucks available for sale and he has sold 41 so far . Someone can contact him for the exact count to judge whats left of his stock.
Hanzo, when exactly did Wms. change the formula to tallow as the 2nd ingredient? I also thought that a box of Wms. absent a bar code was a tip-off to the old formula. I got 5 pucks @ $4 a piece on Sat. Thanks to Byrd for the tip.
Randy , from what I read 2005 was the time Tallow became the second ingredient. This box has the old pricing circle AND the barcode which I know seems odd but apparently it can be dated to 89. The be all and end all of information on vintage Williams seems to be a thread called " Identifying Vintage Williams " by Michiganlover on another forum. It has execellent info and photos. Michiganlover used to be a member here. One very knowledgeable William's head that contributes to that thread and is a current member ,Hoosier Trooper. I'd encourage you to give the thread a gander .
Thank you, Sir. I'm familiar with both gentelmen you mention as Wms. experts. Hoosier is also good with SE information. I'm glad I got in on this. I tried modern Wms. a few months back and stumbled, tripped and fell. I don't like giving up, but I swore one day I'd try Vintage. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Drives me crazy that I had an entire box of this stuff and sold it off last year (granted, I made a nice profit, but still...). I would have rather made it available here.
And as an amendment, I got all excited at an antique store today when I saw a vintage box of Williams for $3. That is, until I opened the box. The puck was about 75% used and really disgusting looking.
grrrrr.....came home at lunch today all excited to check the mail for my Vintage Soaps.......Presidents Day
