Williams is so hard and dry, to get it to lather I tend to add too much water to the brush, then the lather gets bubbly and takes a long time to work it to a decent lather. Grating and hydrating it first sounds like a sound approach. I will try that next time I venture into Williams. Short of that, I found adding some drops of glycerine to the puck helped.
I guess cuz it's Williams and a good conversation topic. As I've said, I get a very nice, slick lather that my face likes so why not?
I don't use it that often anymore, but I'm glad I keep it around. It provides a nice change of pace for me, a blue collar shave so to speak.
I used my Van der Williams this morning..I have to say I like the stuff... The Van der Hagan/Williams mix definately lathers easy for me, I get good protection from it, a smooth shave and it's American made, available locally, long lasting and CHEAP!!!! If it was all I had to use I would be quite contented with it....
I really want to try this one, but it was in that old family haul and it's the only one. I wonder if I can hold out. Maybe just one lather.... As far as I can learn this soap is from the 50's and was sold to Barbers in a tube of cakes and wrapped in plain brown paper. Anyone know if this is true? Anyway, it's a damn nice specimen that's for sure. Smells nothing at all like the new stuff. Just smells like old tallow soap. I bet it lathers like a dream.....grrr, gotta stop before I try.
If you don't use it, what are you going to do with it? Let it sit and collect dust? Sell it later and wish you still had it to try? I say use it. You can't take it with you when you're gone.
I agree with BigT. Doesn't matter the water type, you can still get a soap to lather well, with some work and patience. It's mainly proportion of water and soap. You can use the Marco method from badgerandblade. Around 110 swirls on the soap, adding water as needed and then apply to a very wet face. By the way, I have a "vintage" puck of Williams, so it now has zero scent. If you want the urinal smell, try an Arko stick. It smells funny, but man does it lather. Just rub it on your beard (don't overdo it) and use your wet brush to lather. Abundant lather and inexpensive soap.
Well, I can never sell it. I promised the man who passed it all on to me. I am making some shadow box displays for some of my collection that will never be used, I may use it once then retire it to the "museum".
