Thread: A shot in the dark

I have not been using anything for a pre-shave.

I have about an eighth of a bottle of Flag & Sail Regular Pre-Electric Shave Lotion (a generic for Williams?) that has been sitting in my bathroom for years.

I gave it a shot and all I can say is that I got better results on my first pass using it than I got without it.

I wouldn't say that the difference was significant enough to warrant buying any more when I run out.

Castle Forbes Unscented water soluble pre-shave is the stuff I use when I do use pre-shave. I've tried lots of them - and the C F is the best IMO

I have some Taylor Of Old Bond preshave, but it's been around for a while because I don't really notice a difference when I use it. This has put a bad taste in my mouth with preshaves so I haven't tried anything else. Good to see that you got results with yours.

I used the AoS preshave in the beginning, but now I only use a preshave when I do a full on pampering session.

If it works for you, use it.

Originally Posted by Phrank

Castle Forbes Unscented water soluble pre-shave is the stuff I use when I do use pre-shave. I've tried lots of them - and the C F is the best IMO

Phrank is right, the Castle Forbes Unscented water soluble is the best pre-shave liquid. Since Castle Forbes shave creams are so good, I don't use their pre-shave with a Castle Forbes shave cream. I tend to use the Castle Forbes pre shave with 2nd or third tier soaps and creams. I wash my face with an olive oil based soap, dry it, spread some Castle Forbes pre-shave then go with the less luxurious soap/cream and usually get a great shave. The small travel size is handy if you only use it this way when caught without your first tier cream or soap.

When you say you got better results on your first passing, what was the result, how did it make your shave different than before, and if it did give you better results why wouldn't you continue to use it. I have a tiny bottle of smelly oil I paid $9,95 for and did not notice any difference than when I shave without it. I have used a hot cloth on my face before shaving, but I don't recognize that it does anything to improve the shave. I know what it is suppose to do, but I just don't see it. I will be getting a new strop Friday and I just have no idea what I really need to do to it. I have been straight razor shaving for nearly 40 years and used a length of leather which came from an old hay bailer. It is about 4 inches wide and quarter of an inch thick. Later I bought a Colonel Cronk strop and it took me awhile to learn what to do with it. Any way. I have prattled on further than necessary.

Originally Posted by Glock27

When you say you got better results on your first passing, what was the result, how did it make your shave different than before, and if it did give you better results why wouldn't you continue to use it. I have a tiny bottle of smelly oil I paid $9,95 for and did not notice any difference than when I shave without it. I have used a hot cloth on my face before shaving, but I don't recognize that it does anything to improve the shave. I know what it is suppose to do, but I just don't see it. I will be getting a new strop Friday and I just have no idea what I really need to do to it. I have been straight razor shaving for nearly 40 years and used a length of leather which came from an old hay bailer. It is about 4 inches wide and quarter of an inch thick. Later I bought a Colonel Cronk strop and it took me awhile to learn what to do with it. Any way. I have prattled on further than necessary.

If you're asking me, the difference was so insignificant that it may merely have been a matter of stropping.

I've been using soy sauce for a couple of weeks now. It doesn't seem to do anything, but it's relatively cheap.

I first thought this thread was about that epic movie starring the great Peter Sellers....

I have never used any pre-shave prep. nigh on 40 years, so I have been curious about what it is suppose to do. I know that electric pre-shave is suppose to dry the skin down so the facial hair stands up more when using an electric razor, so I cannot see how this would be of any benefit to a SR user unless you don't apply a cream or soap of some form.
I have to take that back. I just remembered that I paid $9.95 for about a quarter ounce of Somerset Pre-shave. It is oily, and somewhat messy. I put it on, then covered my face with a hot wash cloth for 30 seconds then applied my shaving cream in a lather. Didn't recognize any effective change in the shave. Still thinking though that there must be something available that helps with the shave.