Thread: Understanding Pre-Shave Oil

I got some pre-shave oil from Art Of Shaving for Christmas, and I am having a little difficulty understanding how it works, despite the directions and a few other articles I have read.

Why lather after applying oil? Is the oil not a good enough lubricant?

After applying the oil, do you apply water before lathering? If so, does that not undo the effect of the oil by rinsing it away?

I am just not quite seeing how to use it properly and how its usage properly fits in or makes sense.

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

Using a pre-shave oil is completely optional . Many wet-shaving veterans do not believe pre-shave oil adds anything to well performed pre-shave prep. I use it sparingly before my last (ATG) pass, mostly for comfort. I do use a light lather after applying the oil.

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 lather in a bowl, and I use a straight. I also got some oil for Christmas, but have yet to try it. My planned attack would to apply a light coat, then apply lather over it. But after reading quite a bit on the topic, it sounds like there is not a lot of benefit to the pre-shave oils from what I can tell. I have been using the green Proraso pre-shave, and I really enjoy that experience, but I'm not certain if I get a better shave because of it. I will continue using it because of the experience, if nothing else.

Lots of people use it,I never have,with a good tallow based soap,just do not see the need for it,JMO

The preshaveoil can be used to improve slickness to otherwise poor soap. Some people do an "oil pass", I believe mantic mentioned it in his ebook.

Thank you for the answers, guys.

There is a glaring lack of people swearing by Pre- Shave oils so far.

I like the idea of using it just for my atg pass, as it is my toughest one.

What I enjoy the most about this forum is that everyone can express their opinions, likes and dislikes in an orderly and gentlemanly fashion. Pre shave oils are one of the many, oft repeated topics as we cycle thru new groups of shavers. It all comes down to perception. If it feels like it gives you a better shave, go with it. Still interested but not good results, try a different one. There are oils and soaps for pre shave treatment, and then there is the area of creams in a tube, jar or, gasp!, a can.

I can't speak for anyone else or a specific product, but I can tell what I do that makes me feel like I've done a good thing for my face. Last thing in the shower is a cold water rinse and a rubbing in the beard of a drop of hair conditioner. Don't dry your face and when ready to shave, rub a small amount of Creamo, Kiss My Face or Aveeno in a can and then lather over it. For me it gives a psychological satisfaction that I've increased the slickness of the shaving medium and I will swear on a month of Sundays that I get a better, smoother shave by doing such.

Here it is again, my favorite anti argument acronym, YMMV.

Shave well, shave safely and have fun.

Originally Posted by RedGladiator

The preshaveoil can be used to improve slickness to otherwise poor soap. Some people do an "oil pass", I believe mantic mentioned it in his ebook.

An oil Pass??

I mean, by my third pass, my skin is getting more sensitive. Someone above mentioned using it only for his ATG pass. That sounds like an interesting approach to me.