First Shave impressions

[HDguy]

did my first straight razor shave last night. Dovo Astrale 5/8 after being honed by Lynn and/or Don (great service to have done might I add). Used the Art of Shaving kit (Nice stuff but terribly expensive, was a gift).

Pre-shave oil, really nice herb scent to it
Shave cream uncented yet still nice
badger brush wasnt bad, wish was slightly more firm (Art of Shaving brush)

the shave was great. some bleeding under the chin on my neck, couldnt figure out why, then realized I was going ATG for the first pass...ooops, didnt think about it, just habit from using electric for years now. otherwise the shave was perfect, could not be happier. Will now start the search for what I will use for prep, shave and after balm once my AofS stuff is gone. I cant think of why $120 kit would be necessary.

[rodb]

And it will only get better!
There's tons of great options out there for pre, shave and after. I'm cheap and don't use any pre except hot water and towels, I use a variety of soaps and creams ranging from Arko shave sticks to Tabac ($2 - $14) and Dollar store Old Spice clone aftershave ($2).
No need to spend AOS size money on supplies unless you want to

[JoeSomebody]

I have the AOS kit. Substitute Proraso pre-post creme for the pre shave oil and you will be much happier. If the Proraso menthol is too strong for you they have a sensitive formula. I use the pre shave creme daily. Ran out once, it will never happen again. Good luck and enjoy the journey, half the fun is getting there.

[razorguy]

Great start and keep on doing the right job!

As for prep products, I use Proraso pre-post cream and, sometimes, 3P cream, both very popular and easy to find here in Italy for less than 2 euros (about 3 USD).
However, I also use what the old people in this country taught their sons and grandsons: olive oil. Try it. You just need few drops in your palms, add few drops of water, rub both hands and then massage your face and neck. You will be amazed to see how olive oil works in this sense, while giving you a soft and smooth skin. They also used olive oil as a post shave treatment, just before the refreshing aftershave splash.
I think this is just "natural" for the people here as the olive tree is everywhere in our countryside and olive oil, you know, is the only oil we use in Umbria, however in central/southern Italy. (And Umbria has premium excellent and impeccable olive oil, I should add! :-) )
I also sometime use argan oil with the same technique and it works great the same.

[HDguy]

Great start and keep on doing the right job!

As for prep products, I use Proraso pre-post cream and, sometimes, 3P cream, both very popular and easy to find here in Italy for less than 2 euros (about 3 USD).
However, I also use what the old people in this country taught their sons and grandsons: olive oil. Try it. You just need few drops in your palms, add few drops of water, rub both hands and then massage your face and neck. You will be amazed to see how olive oil works in this sense, while giving you a soft and smooth skin. They also used olive oil as a post shave treatment, just before the refreshing aftershave splash.
I think this is just "natural" for the people here as the olive tree is everywhere in our countryside and olive oil, you know, is the only oil we use in Umbria, however in central/southern Italy. (And Umbria has premium excellent and impeccable olive oil, I should add! :-) )
I also sometime use argan oil with the same technique and it works great the same.

Olive Oil interesting idea. only issue I have there I guess is my dog. she would love that haha. Im heading to Sicily for two weeks later tonight for a family wedding. Looking forward to some finds I can come up with there.

[razorguy]

Olive Oil interesting idea. only issue I have there I guess is my dog. she would love that haha. Im heading to Sicily for two weeks later tonight for a family wedding. Looking forward to some finds I can come up with there.

Maybe it is because in this part of Italy (in Italy in general) Olive Oil is considered as a "miracle golden liquid", not only for cooking (oh, what a wonderful flavor and aroma it adds to every food!) but also a popular remedy some some diseases or indispositions.
In my experience, olive oil works great both as a pre and as post shave. And Sicilian olive oil will certainly work great for that. And also for the joy your palate! :-)