Thread: Understanding Pre-Shave Oil

I use on occasion Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Pre-Shave Oil just because I bought it in about the first 3 months of straight razor shaving and I am simply trying to use it up so I have one less container behind my mirror.....don't think it makes a lick of difference in my shaves but has a lot of tony ingredients and smells nice.

Originally Posted by thomasaaron

I had cold water shaving down to an art, and I now am trying to figure out how to integrate in the oil.

Aren't you "gilding the lily" if you have cold water shaving down to an art ?

Oh, I see further down you have trouble with sensitivity at the ATG stage. That's not usually due to lack of oil More a razor or technique issue.

If you naturally have sensitive skin you need all your ducks in a row to pull off a good shave.

Now that I think of it I know a guy with tough beard /sesitive skin who does use a pre shave oil & also swears by Swedish framebacks.
He makes sure his lather is good n wet for the glide aspect & to keep his face hydrated thru the shave. He uses Mitchell's Wool fat soap & finally he doesn't shave ATG to further prevent irritation .

Never felt the need to try pre-shave oil. Don't think you can beat good prep combined with a good soap.

I think the key to using a pre-shave oil is to use it sparingly. You don't want it to feel oily on your face. Just a little bit rubbed in helps the shave, but most don't notice the difference for a week or two.

Have fun.

Unless I jam a square point into a flabby cheek, or cut my ear I can't remember my shaves from 2 days ago.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I think the key to using a pre-shave oil is to use it sparingly. You don't want it to feel oily on your face. Just a little bit rubbed in helps the shave, but most don't notice the difference for a week or two.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by CaySea

I have found the AOS oil to be very thick and almost gummy. This does not present a big problem when using a straight, but it will gum up a DE. The oil offered by T&H seems to be a better product when it comes to oils. Of the pre-shaves I favor the one by Castle Forbes, but am seeing less and less value from pre-shaves altogether. Like the rest of us I did have to try them, but for me the bang for the buck is not there.

I have been using TH preshave oil, my bottle is getting low, i feel it adds a nice glide, also i can trim sideburn or nose, without blocking them from site with the lather. Do you feel CF is better? I love CF for AS

Originally Posted by Royalpar1

I have been using TH preshave oil, my bottle is getting low, i feel it adds a nice glide, also i can trim sideburn or nose, without blocking them from site with the lather. Do you feel CF is better? I love CF for AS

The Castle Forbes product is water based. It does make your beard stand up well. No oily hands. If you like the T&H oil, you will probably like the CF product as well.

I'm really new, so I can't tell you what works. But I CAN tell you what doesn't work. Since I've been on a hot streak of mistakes lately. Don't put to much on. It will ruin the cream once you get to that part of the process. If you face is shinny, it'll ruin the cream. Just a little bit seemed to work the best.

Gentlemen,

I have gone through a big variety of pre-shaves, from oils to creams, Truefitti & Hill oil to Proraso cream, and concluded that for me none comes anywhere near Castle Forbes. Mine is a hyper sensitive skin, and despite a well toned preparation with top line soaps and creams and silvertip brushes, I feel a quality pre-shave adds just enough cushion to my sensitive skin to enhance my shave.

In time, I have come to dislike oils, because they muck up everything — if you use them, an amount the size of dime or nickel is more than enough, and then wash your hands with soap.

Castle Forbes is water soluble and it works, for me, anyway, and there is no oil greasing up everything. You will not have overnight results, but in time you might notice the difference.

I have tried the pre-shave oils and found it didn't add much to the shave other than somewhat contaminating my brush. I don't mind the Proraso pre-shave creams, was on a kick again for awhile with that, but I am back to simply a good, cold water splash worked in on my face, lather, and then shave.