Thread: Castle Forbes Pre-shave

Gentlemen,

The question of pre-shaves comes up often: what's good, what's not, and which is the best. Which is the best is a muddy topic, since the question has to be qualified with "best for whom"? Faces are different, skins are different and tastes are different.

Through the years, I have used scores of pre-shave products, because of a heavy beard and an extremely sensitive skin. When not using a pre-shave, I do feel it on my skin. So pre-shave it is for me. What type and brand are the real questions.

First, I don't make my own soaps, creams, balms or pre-shaves. I neither have interest in making my own stuff nor know enough chemistry to do so. Of the pre-shaves produced commercially, I have probably tried a huge selection.

I don't care for oils, because they muck up things, and I don't particularly care for the greasy feeling. Even though I may use a small amount of oil — the size of a dime or nickel is all you need — I still feel greasy. Of the oils I have tried through the years, however, I find that produced by Truefitt & Hill the least objectionable.

Proraso makes a quality pre-shave, but the eucalyptus gives me a headache, and Proraso is loaded with the stuff. Edwin Jagger's Pre-shave has some eucalyptus, which I find less objectionable — but this, too, is a good pre-shave. John Allan's Slick Water is another pre-shave I have used, but somehow it has not grabbed me.

Which brings me to the Castle Forbes pre-shave — and for me, that is the top of the line. It helps give me a comfortable cushion and a slick glide. The earthy lavender fragrance is muted. The product is also water soluble and non-greasy.

So if you ask what's the best pre-shave, I must admit it is Castle Forbes — that is, best for me.

I use the Castle Forbes pre-shave as well. I find it works well and although it seems pricey it lasts well as you only use a small amount. I tried the Proraso Eucalyptus pre-shave and it rmeinded me a lot of the old Noxema skin cream my mom kept around. I agree that it is a personal preference deal, and for me Castle Forbes is the product I prefer.

preshave products is something i havent tried a variety of. my face loves the proraso preshave, so i didn't feel it was necessary to change.
eventually i'll check out others, and when i do, castle forbes will be on the list. they do a good job on their shave creams.

Castle Forbes is the best; I do break out the tobs jermyn street shave gel now and again.

I stated before that I've never been a fan of pre shave oils. But this one being water based interests me. I can see this potentially being of benefit to me. But at $40, it might be a while before I get around to trying it.

I'm a huge fan of the stuff. Like you, I hate the feel of oils & I really don't see the point in re-waterproofing my beard... I do notice a little bit more protection from skin irritation when using it & it has just a touch of beard-softening going on. Not earth-shattering, mind you, but just a little extra.

Here's my situation. After I shave my neck area is tender as if my nerve endings are closer to the surface. I'm thinking this is razor burn. I've had this feeling before but not consistently. Now it's happening after every shave. I do shave that area twice though because one pass leaves a little stubble. I have only been shaving that area twice recently. That may be why I'm having problems now. I need to do something to stop this.

I've read a couple of times that a freshly honed razor is a bit harder on skin than it is after a couple or a few shaves with just stropping in between. This may be something that is different with different people. Does anyone agree with this theory?

I'm almost one year new to straight razor shaving and have never used any pre-shave. After reading this thread I've decided to get some Castle Forbes pre-shave to see if I like it. I think I have sensitive skin but how do you know? It's not like I can try other skin for comparison. All I know is I'm very sensitive to how my neck feels after a shave.

Does how I described my neck feeling sound like razor burn? If so, how do other's correct this problem?

Thanks for any help.

Originally Posted by Jack0458

Here's my situation. After I shave my neck area is tender as if my nerve endings are closer to the surface. I'm thinking this is razor burn. I've had this feeling before but not consistently. Now it's happening after every shave. I do shave that area twice though because one pass leaves a little stubble. I have only been shaving that area twice recently. That may be why I'm having problems now. I need to do something to stop this.

I've read a couple of times that a freshly honed razor is a bit harder on skin than it is after a couple or a few shaves with just stropping in between. This may be something that is different with different people. Does anyone agree with this theory?

I'm almost one year new to straight razor shaving and have never used any pre-shave. After reading this thread I've decided to get some Castle Forbes pre-shave to see if I like it. I think I have sensitive skin but how do you know? It's not like I can try other skin for comparison. All I know is I'm very sensitive to how my neck feels after a shave.

Does how I described my neck feeling sound like razor burn? If so, how do other's correct this problem?

Thanks for any help.

My advice would be this; let your beard grow for a few days and study which way your hair grows around your neck. If like me your hair could grow in several different ways so you could be going against the grain which would easily lead to shaving rash. I have to break my neck into three different parts which although takes a bit more time and care eliminates the rash/ irritation that I used to get.
IMO a newly honed razor is not aggressive unless you go a bit ott with a diamond paste.
Good luck

Mark

Jack,

Try to keep the pressure extremely light on your neck. Also, try not to shave against the grain on the neck, because that could give you skin irritation and ingrown hairs. Castle Forbes will help somewhat, but still. As for the freshly honed razor being harder on the skin, I don't agree with that thought — as long as you prepare your face properly, apply no pressure with the razor and maintain the proper angle.

For me, Shave Secret (cheap at Walmart) works well as part of my routine. Shower with Suave conditioner, leave beard wet, Shave Secret, lather, shave, ahhhh!