I Now Understand the Importance of Beard Prep

I received a new razor recently, real nice and said to be a great shaver. It's not quite a perfect edge, though, and I have been practicing only on my side burns and cheeks because it pulls the thicker mustache and beard hairs. Before I made my basic strop, I was practicing unstropped and without any real beard prep. Boy, was I clueless...

After completing my strop, I decided to see about the quality of the edge again. This time I gave it 100 passes on a bare cow hide strop and I took a hot shower before starting. I warmed the soap and worked warm lather onto my skin, as opposed to the previous cold lather.

The results? The edge seemed twice as sharp, cut through coarser hair without pulling, and glided through the thinner hair with noticeably greater ease. It was night and day. The edge is definitely not honed well enough, so the stropping was certainly not everything here as its effects won't be significant until the edge is perfected. That makes it obvious that the preparation was a huge contributor.

I am no expert here, brand new in fact, but if any newbies are having trouble with comfort or closeness and happen to stumble across this post, take this advice from one newbie to another: Prepare your face! I was foolish for assuming it was some minor "bonus" aspect of shaving, it's clearly more than that.

Before this shave I was using luke warm or cold lather on fresh, dry skin with a blade that wasn't just stropped. Impatience was my folly, now I see this.

As an advocate for cold water shaves let me make it clear. You have a partially erroneous statement in your post. HOT or COLD face and lather have nothing to do with the quality of shave. You stated the problem explicitly, ""on fresh, dry skin with a blade that wasn't just stropped. Impatience was my folly, now I see this." Many men over the past centuries have shaved only with cold water because not being wealthy, they couldn't afford the luxury of hot water. I repeat: HOT or COLD water and lather has nothing to do with the quality of your shave. It, as I have also found out, it's operator error, not the tools.

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Originally Posted by Razorfeld

As an advocate for cold water shaves let me make it clear. You have a partially erroneous statement in your post. HOT or COLD face and lather have nothing to do with the quality of shave. You stated the problem explicitly, ""on fresh, dry skin with a blade that wasn't just stropped. Impatience was my folly, now I see this." Many men over the past centuries have shaved only with cold water because not being wealthy, they couldn't afford the luxury of hot water. I repeat: HOT or COLD water and lather has nothing to do with the quality of your shave. It, as I have also found out, it's operator error, not the tools.

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Hmmm. Is the same true for the hot towel/shower practice?

All I know is that among the handful of preparation methods done, at least some of them made the experience much better. The blade still didn't cut thicker hairs without pulling so it seems like it wasn't actually much sharper, but the shave was better, more comfortable, and more smooth.

My prep is splashing my face with cold water, then face lather the soap of the day....and whether I have a 1 day or 1 week growth, it makes no difference to the blade, still cuts the hair at the same place...

If you think prep is part of the problem you first need to make sure you have a truly shave ready razor. Then you can try different prep methods and/or combinations. What I discovered was that I have sensitive skin, can't take any soap/cream with menthol, eucalyptus or Shea butter in it. Also, my dermatologist made me unhappy with the fact that I have, albeit, a mild case, Rosacea. Hot water doesn't do it any good. I've gone to a series of folk remedies as well as medication to keep it as subdued as possible. Lukewarm or cold water is a blessing in this case. Make sure you have a well honed razor and experiment with that as the stable element in the equation and see where you go. ANd do let us know what you find and post it. Other members experiences are what helped me find my way.

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Originally Posted by Razorfeld

If you think prep is part of the problem you first need to make sure you have a truly shave ready razor. Then you can try different prep methods and/or combinations. What I discovered was that I have sensitive skin, can't take any soap/cream with menthol, eucalyptus or Shea butter in it. Also, my dermatologist made me unhappy with the fact that I have, albeit, a mild case, Rosacea. Hot water doesn't do it any good. I've gone to a series of folk remedies as well as medication to keep it as subdued as possible. Lukewarm or cold water is a blessing in this case. Make sure you have a well honed razor and experiment with that as the stable element in the equation and see where you go. ANd do let us know what you find and post it. Other members experiences are what helped me find my way.

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A shave ready razor is the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and end of any great straight razor shave....Razorfeld is correct to stress this.....

Also, re-posting this old thread, there is a booklet from 1905: Shaving Made Easy...I found it very informative:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post544022

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Originally Posted by Phrank

My prep is splashing my face with cold water, then face lather the soap of the day....and whether I have a 1 day or 1 week growth, it makes no difference to the blade, still cuts the hair at the same place...

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Same here too. OTH if having a shower, using hot towels and other assorted pre shave rituals makes you feel better about shaving by all means have at her. Everyone has to find what works for them.

A sharp blade is key and a good stropping too combined with a lather of the proper consistency, matters not if made with hot or cold water, are the other bare essentials from where I sit.

Bob

If you think prep doesn't matter try splashing some water on your face and use Barbasol from a can, I have as an experiment and it wasn't pretty even with a very shave ready razor!!

Try cold, cool, warm and hot prep and see what works best for you. As others have said a properly stropped shave ready razor is the key to a comfortable shave

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Originally Posted by rodb

If you think prep doesn't matter try splashing some water on your face and use Barbasol from a can, I have as an experiment and it wasn't pretty even with a very shave ready razor!!

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Ouch, I wouldn't even consider Barbasol foam in a can as a proper lather fit for shaving. A lather of good consistency made from a good soap/cream, doesn't have to be expensive soap/cream, whipped up with a brush is part of a basic proper shave prep.

Bob

Technique is everything once you have a shave ready razor ,, many a guy thought it was the razor before he had a few dozen shaves behind him ,,, prep is great feeling , but I've splashed cold and shaved with my straights and it does the same thing ,, just not as nice feeling. But all the prep is good if you like it. , I know I do ,, but before you give up on the razor beefing not ready ,, make sure it's not user related,, when the shave was smoother maybe you were using a better angle or stretching better. ,, or send the blade out to someone who knows what shave ready is and give yourself a good chance at it. Good luck. Tc

Well then, perhaps my experience was a bit misleading. I was certain there was a difference, but perhaps it was my technique improving.

With so many counter points, I may resign this thread as mislead and misleading.

I find it hard to believe that organic material like hair would cut the same despite its condition, especially regarding water and temperature, considering how much of an effect these elements can have.

Still, experience is experience, and I don't have much to stand on. Maybe the incredibly sharp edge of a razor just doesn't care about the condition of the skin and hair, it's gonna cut it easy either way.

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Originally Posted by Sirnanigans

Well then, perhaps my experience was a bit misleading. I was certain there was a difference, but perhaps it was my technique improving.

With so many counter points, I may resign this thread as mislead and misleading.

I find it hard to believe that organic material like hair would cut the same despite its condition, especially regarding water and temperature, considering how much of an effect these elements can have.

Still, experience is experience, and I don't have much to stand on. Maybe the incredibly sharp edge of a razor just doesn't care about the condition of the skin and hair, it's gonna cut it easy either way.

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It takes time to find the sweet spot, and believe me, you'll know when you find it, nothing like it in the world.....;)

The 1905 Shaving Made Easy presents an interesting case, which for me, seems to be true, cold water to presumably tighten the skin, and the lather's purpose is to raise the whiskers for cutting, rather than soften them...for me this works and makes sense.

Having said that, nothing like a shave parade once in awhile, boiling water in the scuttle for some hot lather, some type of pre-shave, a fine soap that's nice and hot...the whole she-bang....but that's one of the joys in this, mixing it up and finding multiple combinations that work for you...and that's the part that continues to evolve and which I enjoy tremendously.

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Originally Posted by Sirnanigans

Still, experience is experience, and I don't have much to stand on. Maybe the incredibly sharp edge of a razor just doesn't care about the condition of the skin and hair, it's gonna cut it easy either way.

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Ya got it in one in that statement. All the old sayings work (and I think they each work depending on the time of day, the stage the moon is in, the weather conditions of the moment and the way ya hold your tongue while shaving). The best is YMMV. In the world of shaving, science comes in a poor third or fourth because subjective observations, coupled with subconscious references to folk lore and superstition, rule over cold hard fact, no matter how many times it's told to you. We are but human and fraught with the errors of our ways, both grand and small.

Those who have different type beards know nothing about what prep another's beard takes, IMO. Razorfeld (Bless his soul;)) extols the virtues of the cold shave, while I cannot use it effectively. If I lather up and am preoccupied enough to forget my 2 hot towels over lather, the first stroke tells me something is BAD wrong! The blade acts as if it needs honing! Then, I remember I skipped the hot towel! :banghead: Two applications of a hand-towel sized towel soaked with hot from the tap makes the same razor seem brand-new. To me! This is important that all should find what works for THEM as everyone has a bit different way to prep. The only way to find what works for you is to try different things! No set way to do it! JMHO

I have found that I wasn't stretching enough. As a new shavette shaver myself I found the prep is really important. I found that good prep will help get past the rough technique. I also have found that bad prep will help teach you what areas your technique needs work. If I am using my DE razor I found really hot water will give a great shave. While with my shavette I found warm water works good. Of course with all things shaving, YMMV.
Cheers,
John

I'm one year new to shaving with a straight razor, using pre-shave and/or post shave and trying hot and cold water as well as any other variable I read about on this forum. So, my thoughts on issues like this are questionable. I'm thinking that someone who has years of straight razor shaving as well as the pre-shave routines or no pre-shave routines can get great results using any routine (or none) they choose. OTOH, the newbies who haven't gotten really good at stropping and haven't developed a good technique when shaving may benefit more from a thorough pre-shave treatment. If a hot towel or warm lather or a good pre-shave lotion does make the whiskers easier to cut (softer maybe) a newbie may get better results if the razor isn't as sharp or their technique at the actual shaving isn't as refined. A couple of years (or ten) later when the newbie is now an oldie and he gets the razor super sharp when stropping and his shaving technique is better THEN he can get great results with less attention paid to pre-shave routine, hot or cold water, etc.

A perfect (if there is one) pre-shave routine may make up for the razor not being as sharp as it could be as well as the technique of scraping whiskers off the face not being as effective. As I said, my thinking is questionable at best.

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Originally Posted by Jack0458

I'm one year new to shaving with a straight razor, using pre-shave and/or post shave and trying hot and cold water as well as any other variable I read about on this forum. So, my thoughts on issues like this are questionable. I'm thinking that someone who has years of straight razor shaving as well as the pre-shave routines or no pre-shave routines can get great results using any routine (or none) they choose. OTOH, the newbies who haven't gotten really good at stropping and haven't developed a good technique when shaving may benefit more from a thorough pre-shave treatment. If a hot towel or warm lather or a good pre-shave lotion does make the whiskers easier to cut (softer maybe) a newbie may get better results if the razor isn't as sharp or their technique at the actual shaving isn't as refined. A couple of years (or ten) later when the newbie is now an oldie and he gets the razor super sharp when stropping and his shaving technique is better THEN he can get great results with less attention paid to pre-shave routine, hot or cold water, etc.

A perfect (if there is one) pre-shave routine may make up for the razor not being as sharp as it could be as well as the technique of scraping whiskers off the face not being as effective. As I said, my thinking is questionable at best.

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I don't think your thinking is questionable at all. The other side of that coin might be that using an elaborate pre shave routine while possibly allowing a beginner to get by with poor technique is really hindering them in the short run from gaining a good technique. Either way you will get there except one may take you a bit longer to do so. Just two different approaches to learning a new skill.

Bob

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Those who have different type beards know nothing about what prep another's beard takes, IMO. Razorfeld (Bless his soul;)) extols the virtues of the cold shave, while I cannot use it effectively. If I lather up and am preoccupied enough to forget my 2 hot towels over lather, the first stroke tells me something is BAD wrong! The blade acts as if it needs honing! Then, I remember I skipped the hot towel! :banghead: Two applications of a hand-towel sized towel soaked with hot from the tap makes the same razor seem brand-new. To me! This is important that all should find what works for THEM as everyone has a bit different way to prep. The only way to find what works for you is to try different things! No set way to do it! JMHO

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I am with you brother. A cold shave without a good prep will not work on my beard

Prep makes a huge difference for me. A new DE blade fails every time on my dry unprepared hair. Tugging and skin burn galore.

A shower shampoo with conditioner immediately before lathering makes a huge difference for ease of cutting and can salvage a shave from a blade that is just starting to fade. Warm or room temperature lather both work for me.

If I cannot shower, I wash and rinse we two or three times before lathering to remove dirt and oils as well as possible to promote effective Interaction between the lather and hairs.

Good hair hydration makes the hair as easy to cut as possible. I try to keep my lather well hydrated. When lather does not easily rinse off my SR blade, it is getting too dry.

I sometimes find strongly scented soaps to be irritating.

HTH

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Originally Posted by sheajohnw

Prep makes a huge difference for me. A new DE blade fails every time on my dry unprepared hair. Tugging and skin burn galore.

A shower shampoo with conditioner immediately before lathering makes a huge difference for ease of cutting and can salvage a shave from a blade that is just starting to fade. Warm or room temperature lather both work for me.

If I cannot shower, I wash and rinse we two or three times before lathering to remove dirt and oils as well as possible to promote effective Interaction between the lather and hairs.

Good hair hydration makes the hair as easy to cut as possible. I try to keep my lather well hydrated. When lather does not easily rinse off my SR blade, it is getting too dry.

I sometimes find strongly scented soaps to be irritating.

HTH

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When I first tried a cream instead of soap the lather didn't rinse off my razor easily at all. I thought it was a difference between a cream and a soap. Now I've come to realize it's a matter of having enough water or how long I work to create a lather.


I have been thinking about letting my pre-shave lotion stay on my face for a few minutes before I lather. Has anyone noticed if this helps or not? Probably (like most things), it's different between faces and possibly the pre-shave.

The last thing I do in the shower is to rub a small amount of hair conditioner on my beard. I don't dry my face. Just before lathering I re-wet my face and rub a small amount of Creamo or Kiss My Face to complete my pre-shave ritual. More glide, more comfort.

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Originally Posted by Razorfeld

The last thing I do in the shower is to rub a small amount of hair conditioner on my beard. I don't dry my face. Just before lathering I re-wet my face and rub a small amount of Creamo or Kiss My Face to complete my pre-shave ritual. More glide, more comfort.

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I'm going to try to include some pre-shave tasks while in the shower. Apply pre-shave maybe while my skin/whiskers are soaked and warm. I have some Neutrogena pre-shave face scrub I could use in the shower on my face. Think I'll try that then apply some Castle Forbes and then get out of the shower. I think some have said they create lather and let it sit while they shower. Does anyone do that? If so, what benefit is there? My shaving and showering don't often occur together however. I don't work any more so my shaving and showering are usually on a whim. Neither are often just prior to going somewhere like it was when I worked.