Thread: williams for starters?

Howdy!


So I'm a new guy and have been suggested to get some really cheap
Williams, just to learn how to lather. I am curious is it just worth it to
maybe get a little better of a soap, I'm not exactly poor, to learn with?

I mean the Williams soap is only $1.00! I just need to find a store near
me that sells it. But to me, it sounds like it's kinda gunna suck...but,
like someone told me, it's cheap and I can learn how to lather with it!


So I'm guess I'm asking, is it worth buying a nicer soap first, not really
nice, like somewhere round $10.00, or should I heed this advice about
the Williams?



thanks in advance for any feedback

Use the Williams. Try different things. Slice a piece off press it to the bottom of the bowl. Press it all into aup and lather upside down . Just have fun with it.

Originally Posted by mrtim

Howdy!


So I'm a new guy and have been suggested to get some really cheap
Williams, just to learn how to lather. I am curious is it just worth it to
maybe get a little better of a soap, I'm not exactly poor, to learn with?

I mean the Williams soap is only $1.00! I just need to find a store near
me that sells it. But to me, it sounds like it's kinda gunna suck...but,
like someone told me, it's cheap and I can learn how to lather with it!


So I'm guess I'm asking, is it worth buying a nicer soap first, not really
nice, like somewhere round $10.00, or should I heed this advice about
the Williams?



thanks in advance for any feedback

Hi - I'm still pretty new to this, but if the "Williams" you're referring to is William Marvy soap, then I know that hands down. I've been using Williams Marvy and have just about used a puck up (also my first soap and until tonight, then only thing I've used) - I've had a very difficult time getting a good lather out of it (and what you get seems to break down quickly). I started adding a few drops of glycerin lately, and that seems to help, but although I've got to the point where it's passable - it's nothing close to the creamy, thick lather some of these guys post pictures of.

I'd try something a bit better if you can.

I say get both. Use the better soap/cream for when you are shaving and use the Williams for practice. When you figure out how to lather Williams, you will be able to lather anything. Also helps to break in your brush.

I used to use Williams religiously but haven't used it in a good while, and while it's serviceable there are tons of better products available. I recommend a puck of VDH to start or Arko stick. Either of these will let you build quality lather so you know what good lather is, then get some Williams and whip that into shape as I consider Williams a soap for the initiated rather than the beginner. No point in starting out with frustration.

I would recommend getting some Razorock shaving cream soap. It is inexpensive (approx. $7.00), excellent quality and gets good reviews by SRP members.

Originally Posted by jhenry

I would recommend getting some Razorock shaving cream soap. It is inexpensive (approx. $7.00), excellent quality and gets good reviews by SRP members.

Ha, I just posted the exact same thoughts.

i really like Proraso, the one that comes in the tub. It's fairly inexpensive and I love that menthol kick

The problem is, you're not just "learning to lather" -- you'll be shaving with it !!!

I've had good luck with Proraso shaving soap, which is pretty cheap. I found it made a better lather than Williams.

You might also add some glycerin (easiest source is Astroglide or KY Jelly) to the lather -- that would improve the Williams lather a fair bit.

Charles

The 'William's' I use doesn't have Marvy in the name. It's the William's that's been around for a thousand years, but I heard they changed the formula at some point. I wouldn't know.

I like William's. The smell is great. I keep a puck in my teacup and use it at least once a week. A puck will last a long time and for under 2 bucks that's a bargain.

It does tend to dry out a bit, or at least it did until I learned to shave in under an hour, now I don't notice it's shortcomings nearly as much.