Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 30
Like Tree7Likes

Thread: Castle Forbes Pre-shave

  1. #1
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default 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.
    Attached Images Attached Images   
    Last edited by Obie; 07-31-2014 at 06:30 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    S Fla
    Posts
    113
    Thanked: 15

    Default

    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.
    Last edited by CaySea; 08-07-2014 at 08:05 PM.
    engine46 likes this.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to CaySea For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-07-2014)

  4. #3
    white lightning recklessabandon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Vancouver
    Posts
    194
    Thanked: 33

    Default

    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.
    instagram - @suckerpunch_daycare

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to recklessabandon For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-10-2014)

  6. #4
    Senior Member tiddle's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Oxford, Al
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanked: 407

    Default

    Castle Forbes is the best; I do break out the tobs jermyn street shave gel now and again.
    Mastering implies there is nothing more for you to learn of something... I prefer proficient enough to not totally screw it up.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to tiddle For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-10-2014)

  8. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth OCDshaver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Chicagoland - SW suburbs
    Posts
    3,772
    Thanked: 734

    Default

    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.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to OCDshaver For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-10-2014)

  10. #6
    Does the barber shave himself...? PA23-250's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    834
    Thanked: 115

    Default

    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.

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to PA23-250 For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-13-2014)

  12. #7
    Senior Member Jack0458's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Florida panhandle, near Ft. Walton Bch.
    Posts
    247
    Thanked: 23

    Default

    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.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to Jack0458 For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-19-2014)

  14. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth markbignosekelly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Egham, a little town just outside London.
    Posts
    3,725
    Thanked: 1074
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jack0458 View Post
    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

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to markbignosekelly For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-19-2014)

  16. #9
    The Assyrian Obie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    11,145
    Thanked: 2755

    Default

    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.

  17. #10
    Senior Member mdwright's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Florida/Oregon
    Posts
    283
    Thanked: 17

    Default

    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!

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to mdwright For This Useful Post:

    Obie (08-19-2014)

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •