preshave oil fouling brush

[tunamanb52]

I bought some expensive preshave oil, then read that the oil will get on the brush and cant be removed. what is a good way to use up the oil?

[feeltheburn]

It's possible that's true but in practice the lather should break down the very small amount of oil that gets on it and so the oil may not actually cause a problem. If you like using preshave oil, do it. A brush is a tool, meant to be used, and eventually replaced when worn out.

For me personally, I don't get any benefit from a preshave oil so I stopped using it. If you decide you don't want to use it anymore, give it to someone who does like it.

[LiamPBoyle]

I use a pre-shave oil and don't really experience "fouling" problems with my brush. Mind you the oil I use, Somerset's English shave oil, is only used 3-5 drops at a time. So it gets plenty broken up by the lather. But I'm still very much a n00b so take this advice with a small Siberean salt mine.

[thebigspendur]

Brush manufacturers recommend against using oil with their brushes but that doesn't really mean much. I would imagine worse comes to worse a good shampooing would take the oil off the brush as long as it doesn't soak down to the core.

[tunamanb52]

thanks for the replies, I guess I could make a lather in my hand and wipe the lather on ?

[Obie]

I bought some expensive preshave oil, then read that the oil will get on the brush and cant be removed. what is a good way to use up the oil?

I suggest avoiding oils for pre-shave. A number of manufacturers make them. If you want pre-shave that is not oily, try Castle Forbes or Edwin Jagger. Good stuff, both, and they will not muck up your brush. I have an extremely sensitive skin and a heavy beard and find quality and non-oily pre-shave products help with the cushion, as well as help soften the beard a wee bit more. They also help in the glide.

[Marth]

Total nOOb here!
I've just started with a straight razor and found my skin to be even more sensitive, I've just started using an aftershave balm (Bluebeards Revenge) and found that cools my skin.
I've just ordered their pre shave oil but I'm reading that it clogs the brush!
How can it? I was thinking that it wouldn't be any good as the soap should break it down.
If it does clog the brush, how do you know? What are the symptoms of a clogged brush?

[1holegrouper]

I've used preshave oils on and off for several years and none of my brushes during that time have been hurt at all. I think using shaving soap on the brush keeps it off or cleans it off just like shampooing your hair does. I guess with some unusual shave prep ritual it is possible to create the perfect brush clogging storm but it has never happened with me.

[gssixgun]

Cheap and easy brush cleaning to be done maybe once per year that keeps the brush working great and removes any residues...

Before Shower:
One bowl or sink filled with hot water, about 2 quarts, 1/3 cup 20 Mule Team Borax dissolved in the hot water...
Put brush in water, swish around vigorously, for a few minutes, leave to soak for 10 minutes..
Come back start your shower, take brush into shower, shampoo brush while you shampoo your hair.
Finish shower, shake out brush, leave to dry.
Repeat in one year, or when the brush starts to not work quite as well.

[Gammaray]

Pre-shave oils are nice and slick, but I do not use them for the many reasons already stated. Instead, I use a half-dollar of pure, water-soluble glycerin all over my face before applying my favorite cream. Glycerin is slippery, water soluble, and when you buy it by the gallon it is significantly less expensive than the pre-shave oils. Glycerin is very brush friendly.