From ShaveWiki
Williams
Williams Mug Soap is a tallow based shave soap, one of the longest selling American shave soaps. Formulated in 1840 by James B. Williams of Glastonbury, Connecticut. Known for being one of the cheapest soaps on the market and for requiring an unusually large amount of soap to get a good lather. Because Williams is tallow based it can be easily milled but never melted, melting will destroy it.
Ingredients: Sodium Tallowate, Potassium Stearate, Sodium Cocoate, Water, Glycerin, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Pentasodium Pentetate, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide
Williams Technique
Being that Williams does require more soap to get a good lather it requires a slightly different technique than your finer soaps.
- with soap puck in mug, fill mug to brim with steaming hot water and place in sink full of hot water
- place brush (boar is preferred by some Williams users because it digs into the puck better) in mug to soak
- let soap soak while showering or doing pre-shave routine
- pour contents of mug into sink using shaving brush to hold puck in mug
- give brush a good shake to get excess water out
- lather directly on puck in the mug
- after working up a good lather, go to town
Soaking the entire puck before lathering puts a soft layer around the outside of the puck which makes it easier to get the required amount of soap for a good lather. This will shorten the life of the puck, but at $1-3 a puck who's complaining.
